Climate and Ecology Bill

Zack Polanski AM proposed, and Léonie Cooper AM seconded the following motion:

“This Assembly notes that:

• Following the Glasgow Climate Pact, there is a significant global emissions gap, with the world set to exceed the 2015 Paris Agreement target of limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius;
• The 2018 declaration of a climate emergency by the London Assembly, quickly followed by a similar declaration by the Mayor, was followed by further declarations in London and the rest of the country;
• The UK Government has published a net zero strategy targeting 2050; that the Mayor is updating London’s modelling to align it with his zero carbon target of 2030; and that the UK submitted an updated Nationally Determined Contribution ahead of COP26 following advice from the Committee on Climate Change; and
• The 2008 Climate Change Act was preceded by a private member’s bill in 2005, and that the proposed Climate and Ecology Bill (a private member’s bill) before the House of Commons would, if it became law, require the UK Government to develop a strategy to address the linked climate and nature emergencies.

This Assembly notes the proposed Bill would:

• Require the UK Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consistent with limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius;
• Ensure that all UK emissions are accounted for, including emissions produced as a result of UK consumption and international aviation and shipping;
• Protect and restore biodiverse habitats along overseas supply chains
• Halt and reverse the UK’s contribution to the degradation and loss of nature by increasing the health, abundance, diversity and resilience of species, populations, habitats and ecosystems by 2030
• Establish a representative Climate and Nature Assembly to support the UK Parliament and UK Government in creating a strategy to achieve a just transition to a zero-carbon society.

This Assembly resolves to:

• Call on the Chair of the London Assembly to write to Zero Hour, the CEE Bill campaign, expressing our support for the bill; and
• Call on the Mayor, now chair of C40 Cities and a supporter of UK100’s Net Zero Pledge, to also support the Bill.”

Following debate and upon being put to the vote, the motion was agreed, with 15 votes being cast in favour and 8 votes being cast against.