Assembly supports the Climate & Ecological Emergency Bill

The London Assembly today agreed a motion supporting the proposed Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill and urged the Mayor of London to do the same.



This Private Members’ Bill seeks to require the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consistent with limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Zack Polanski AM, who proposed the motion said:



“The CEE Bill puts in place the strong and decisive action needed to reverse the climate and ecological crisis.

“Assembly support for this sends a message to the Government that the UK must play its fair and proper role in reducing greenhouse gas and protecting and restoring biodiverse habitats.

“We can make sure London leads the way, just like the Assembly did in 2018 by urging the Mayor to declare a climate emergency.

“As chair of C40 Cities, and a supporter of UK100’s Net Zero Pledge, the Mayor can and should support this motion.”

Leonie Cooper AM, who seconded the motion said:

“Getting the CEE Bill through Parliament will be a vital initial step towards the UK meeting its obligations on tackling the climate emergency.

“This is precisely the type of action we need on the back of COP26 and it would commit our country to clamping down on harmful emissions, protecting and boosting biodiversity and hitting our targets on decarbonisation.



“The Mayor has been leading by example when it comes to showing the world that cities should be at the forefront of addressing climate change and I now hope he will use his platform and influence to support the Bill”.



The full text of the motion is:

“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.”