Residents call on Louise Haigh MP to vote for landmark Climate and Nature Bill. 

Residents in Sheffield Heeley have called on their MP Louise Haigh to vote for a landmark piece of environmental legislation at its second reading on 24 January 2025 as part of a nationwide week of action. 

If made law, the Climate and Nature Bill (or “CAN” Bill) would ensure that the UK has a joined-up, science-led and people-powered plan to tackle climate change and nature loss. It is supported by 187 MPs, 372 local councils, 1,000 organisations, and over 1,200 leading UK climate and nature scientists.

Last week campaigners took part in a national week of action calling on MPs to vote for the Bill, with actions happening across the UK from Dorset to Shrewsbury to the Highlands. 

Catherine Fish, a Sheffield resident, says: ‘We’re desperate to see robust action on the growing climate and nature crisis. That’s why we’re calling on our MP Louise Haigh to vote for this landmark legislation when it has its Second Reading. Louise tells her constituents that she cares about tackling the climate-nature crisis. Well, now she can turn those words into action by voting for the Climate and Nature Bill. Seeing our MP lead the way on this would fill me and many other local voters with hope. Here in Sheffield, we’re already seeing the impact of the crisis from flooding and an increase in the number of people arriving who were displaced by climate change. This Bill would ensure we transition away from fossil fuels in line with what science demands while giving ordinary people a voice in how that transition happens. The climate and ecological emergency needs an emergency response—and any MP who cares about the future of humanity, and the rest of life on Earth, will turn up and vote for the CAN Bill.’

The Climate and Nature Bill requires the Government to deliver a joined-up strategy to tackle the intertwined climate and ecological emergency. This means integrating existing, siloed climate and biodiversity plans—and aligning the Government’s targets with the UK’s international commitments to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and reverse nature loss by 2030. Neither of these essential targets is currently locked in UK law.

Weaning ourselves off fossil fuels means big changes. So everyone must be on board with them. That’s why the Bill also calls for a Climate and Nature Assembly to help the Government develop an emergency strategy.

In September over 1,200 UK climate and nature scientists – including 5 Nobel Prize winners – wrote to every MP in Parliament urging them to get behind the CAN Bill. It comes as the globe is being ravaged by record rainfall and deadly floods from Central Europe to Mexico to the US, all made worse by the impact of man-made climate change. Meanwhile, Storm Bert reminded us what we can expect from a heating climate. 

MPs often boast that the UK has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 48%. However, this does not account for the emissions produced by manufacturing goods in other countries which we import. When imports and the shipping and aviation of these goods are accounted for we have only reduced emissions by 23%. The CAN Bill ensures that these emissions must be reduced too.

The CAN Bill is being championed by Dr Roz Savage MP (Lib Dems), a longtime environmental campaigner and world record-breaking solo ocean rower.  It was originally introduced by the Green MP Caroline Lucas back in 2020 and was reintroduced by Hallam MP Olivia Blake in the last parliament. Roz Savage is supported by 11 cross-party co-sponsors from Labour, Conservatives, Lib Dems, Greens, Plaid Cymru, and SNP. The Bill has the backing of major organisations including The National Federation of Women’s Institutes, Friends of the Earth, Ecotricity, The Co-operative Bank and The Wildlife Trusts.

Dr Amy McDonnell from Zero Hour, the campaign supporting the CAN Bill, said 

‘The Climate and Nature Bill is our last, best chance to ensure that the UK rises to the challenge of the crisis we’re facing. Previous governments have already pledged, alongside 196 other nations, to achieve the 2030 targets the Bill would make law. But at present, these targets aren’t legally binding and our existing legislation isn’t robust enough to ensure they’re met. The CAN Bill, written by scientists, will enable the UK to do everything it has promised and ensure a liveable future for all. ’

In her reply to me, Louise Haigh said “The climate and nature crisis is growing ever more urgent. Yet, as the Climate Change Committee’s most recent progress report made clear, we are off track when it comes to taking action. I therefore agree with you on the need to act rapidly to meet our legally binding climate targets. We need to get back on track without delay here at home, so we can lead on international climate action overseas.” Disappointingly Louise stopped short of agreeing to back the CAN Bill, saying that Government measures will help deliver on many of the aims of the CAN Bill and that she will support action to deliver effective leadership on the climate and nature crisis. 

Please write to your MP to tell them how important it is to back the CAN Bill on January 24th.

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Here is Louise Haigh’s full reply.

Dear Graham, 

Thank you for contacting me about the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill.

The climate and nature crisis is growing ever more urgent. Yet, as the Climate Change Committee’s most recent progress report made clear, we are off track when it comes to taking action. I therefore agree with you on the need to act rapidly to meet our legally binding climate targets. We need to get back on track without delay here at home, so we can lead on international climate action overseas.

This new Government has already taken towards getting us back on track. For example, it has removed the de facto ban on new onshore wind in England, given approval for 1.3GW of solar energy and secured a record-breaking 131 new renewable electricity projects across Britain. It has also introduced legislation to establish Great British Energy, a new publicly owned company that will own, manage and operate clean power projects throughout the country.

Beyond this, I am proud of the Government’s green prosperity plan and its mission to deliver clean power by 2030. This includes establishing a National Wealth Fund, capitalised with £7.3 billion over the course of the Parliament, to invest in partnership with business in the industries of the future. It also includes working with the private sector to double onshore wind, triple solar power and quadruple offshore wind, to deliver cheaper zero-carbon electricity in 2030. In addition, I support a warm homes plan to invest an extra £6.6 billion over the Parliament to upgrade the energy efficiency of five million homes.

On nature, I support plans to take action to meet Environment Act targets for nature recovery. I believe we should work with civil society, communities and business to restore and protect the natural world. And I support plans to improve responsible access to nature, including planting millions of trees and creating new woodlands. The new Government is committed to expanding nature-rich habitats such as wetlands, peat bogs and forests so families can explore and wildlife can thrive.

Thank you once again for contacting me. I believe the above measures will help deliver on many of the aims of the CAN Bill and can assure you that I will support action to deliver effective leadership on the climate and nature crisis.

Kind Regards, 

Louise Haigh MP
Member of Parliament for Sheffield Heeley
Secretary of State for Transport