Cambridge is yet to sign up to Climate and Ecology Bill despite the city being a world leader in climate and environmental science
THE GREEN PARTY is calling on the public to sign a petition urging Cambridge City Council to declare support for vital legislation.
Almost 900 organisations, politicians and scientists – including Cambridgeshire County Council - have backed the Climate and Ecology Bill originally introduced to Parliament by Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton.
But the City Council is yet to join the list of nearly 350 local authorities – including Cambridgeshire County Council – that are supporting the Bill, despite cross-party support.
And the Green Party believes that Cambridge, a city whose University and businesses are renowned around the world for their excellence in climate and environmental science, should stand up to be counted.
Sarah Nicmanis, the Green Party’s prospective parliamentary candidate, said: “Over the last couple of years, Cambridge has experienced directly the impacts of climate change.
“Drought has caused our chalk streams to periodically dry up. Extreme rainfall events and winds have caused flooding and tree loss. Elderly and vulnerable residents have struggled with stiflingly hot days.
“New climate and ecology legislation would mean that we could start to put in motion some of the urgently needed action to reverse the frightening changes that we are facing.”
The Climate and Ecology Bill is due back before in the House of Commons in March.
The Greens need at least 50 signatures from people who live, work or study in Cambridge by March 7 in order to take the petition before the City Council on March 21 (see details below).
The cross-party Bill requires the UK Government to develop and achieve a new environmental strategy to:
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the 1.5°C required under the UK’s Paris Agreement obligations;
- set nature measurably on the path to recovery by 2030;
- prioritise nature in decision-making;
- end fossil fuel production and imports as rapidly as possible; and
- provide for re-training for those currently working in fossil fuel industries.
Green Party city councillors tried to introduce a motion backing the Bill in May 2021. It was supported by the Liberal Democrat and Independent groups, but not by Labour.
Now the Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire Green Party has launched a petition, which calls on Cambridge City Council to:
- Support the cross-party Climate and Ecology Bill;
- Inform the local media of this decision;
- Write to our local MP, Daniel Zeichner, asking him to support the Bill. He is not on the list of over 150 parliamentarians who have declared their support; and
- Write to Zero Hour, the organisers of the cross-party campaign for the CE Bill, expressing Cambridge City Council’s support (councils@zerohour.uk).
Anyone eligible can sign the petition here.