Agenda item

Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt in the UK, and across the world. The average global temperature has already increased by 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels and—alongside this—the natural world has reached crisis point, with 28% of plants and animals threatened with extinction. In addition, the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world as more than one in seven of our plants and animals face extinction, and more than 40% are in decline.

The Climate & Ecology Bill, seeks to address the challenges that this situation poses by creating a whole-of-government approach to deliver a net zero and nature positive future.

The Bill aims to align current UK environmental policy with the need to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030, which was a goal agreed to at COP15,); and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UK’s fair share of the remaining global carbon budget to give the strongest chance of limiting global heating to 1.5°C, which was the goal agreed to at COP21.

By bridging the gap between the UK Government’s current delivery, and what has been agreed at international levels, Britain has a chance to be a world leader on climate and the environment; seizing the opportunities of the clean energy transition, including green jobs and skills; reduced energy bills; and boosting the UK’s food and energy security.

This council notes that:

·      This council declared a Climate Emergency in February 2019.

·      This council declared a bio-diversity emergency in May 2019

·      Cambridge is one of 119 Global Cities named Climate Action Leaders on the Carbon Disclosure Project 2023 A List. A-List cities are taking four times as many climate mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A Listers.

·      Cambridge City Council is ranked second amongst all UK District councils by Climate Action Scorecards (run by Climate Emergency UK) on actions we have taken to reach net zero in 2023.

·      In our Climate Change Strategy 2021-2026 we set a target for the Council to be net zero carbon in our direct emissions by 2030 and our Carbon Management Plan explains how we plan to achieve it.

·      Our Change Strategy 2021-2026 also sets out a vision for Cambridge City to be net zero carbon by 2030 but we need a more ambitious policy framework and increased investment from national government in order to achieve that.

The CE Bill would require the UK Government to develop and achieve a new environmental strategy, which would include:

1. Delivering a joined-up environmental plan, as the crises in climate and nature are deeply intertwined, and require a plan that considers both together;

2. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with 1.5°C to ensure emissions are reduced in line with the best chance of meeting the UK’s Paris Agreement obligations;

3. Not only halting, but also reversing the decline in nature, setting nature measurably on the path to recovery by 2030;

4. Taking responsibility for our overseas footprint, both emissions and ecological;

5. Prioritising nature in decision-making, and ending fossil fuel production and imports as rapidly as possible;

6. Providing for re-training for those people currently working in fossil fuel industries; and

7. Giving the British people a say in finding a fair way forward via a temporary, independent and representative Climate & Nature Assembly, as part of creating consensus and ensuring that no one and no community is left behind.

This council therefore resolves to:

1. Support the Climate and Ecology Bill;

2. Inform local residents and the local press of this decision;

3. Write to our MP Daniel Zeichner to inform him that this motion has been passed, and urge him to sign up to support the CE Bill.

4. Write to Zero Hour, the organisers of the cross-party campaign for the CE Bill, expressing Cambridge City Council’s support.

 

Under Council Procedure Rule 26, Members agreed to accept the altered motion as submitted by Councillor Moore (deleted text struckthrough, additional text underlined).

Councillor Moore proposed and Councillor Nestor seconded the following motion: 

Climate & Ecology Nature Bill

Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt in the UK, and across the world. The average global temperature has already increased by 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels and—alongside this—the natural world has reached crisis point, with 28% of plants and animals threatened with extinction. In addition, the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world as more than one in seven of our plants and animals face extinction, and more than 40% are in decline.

The Climate & Ecology Nature Bill (an updated version of the previous Climate & Ecology Bill and before that the CEE Bill), seeks to address the challenges that this situation poses by creating a whole-of-government approach to deliver a net zero and nature positive future.

The Bill aims to align current UK environmental policy with the need to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030, which was a goal agreed to at COP15,); and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UK’s fair share of the remaining global carbon budget to give the strongest chance of limiting global heating to 1.5°C, which was the goal agreed to at COP21.

By bridging the gap between the UK Government’s current delivery, and what has been agreed at international levels, Britain has a chance to be a world leader on climate and the environment; seizing the opportunities of the clean energy transition, including green jobs and skills; reduced energy bills; and boosting the UK’s food and energy security.

This council notes that:

·      This council declared a Climate Emergency in February 2019.

·      This council declared a bio-diversity emergency in May 2019

·      Cambridge is one of 119 Global Cities named Climate Action Leaders on the Carbon Disclosure Project 2023 A List. A-List cities are taking four times as many climate mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A Listers.

·      Cambridge City Council is ranked second amongst all UK District councils by Climate Action Scorecards (run by Climate Emergency UK) on actions we have taken to reach net zero in 2023.

·      In our Climate Change Strategy 2021-2026 we set a target for the Council to be net zero carbon in our direct emissions by 2030 and our Carbon Management Plan explains how we plan to achieve it.

·      Our Change Strategy 2021-2026 also sets out a vision for Cambridge City to be net zero carbon by 2030 but we need a more ambitious policy framework and increased investment from national government in order to achieve that.

The Climate & Nature Bill would require the UK Government to develop and achieve a new environmental strategy, which would include:

1. Delivering a joined-up environmental plan, as the crises in climate and nature are deeply intertwined, and require a plan that considers both together;

2. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with 1.5°C to ensure emissions are reduced in line with the best chance of meeting the UK’s Paris Agreement obligations;

3. Not only halting, but also reversing the decline in nature, setting nature measurably on the path to recovery by 2030;

4. Taking responsibility for our overseas footprint, both emissions and ecological;

5. Prioritising nature in decision-making, and ending fossil fuel production and imports as rapidly as possible;

6. Providing for re-training for those people currently working in fossil fuel industries; and

7. Giving the British people a say in finding a fair way forward via a temporary, independent and representative Climate & Nature Assembly, as part of creating consensus and ensuring that no one and no community is left behind.

This council therefore resolves to:

1. Support the Climate and Ecology Nature Bill;

2. Inform local residents and the local press of this decision;

3. Write to our MPs Daniel Zeichner & Anthony Browne to inform them him that this motion has been passed, and urge them both him to sign up to support the CE Bill.

4. Write to Zero Hour, the organisers of the cross-party campaign for the CE Bill, expressing Cambridge City Council’s support.

5. Write to Sir Keir Starmer MP expressing Cambridge City Council’s support for the bill and requesting that it be upgraded from a private members’ bill to a government bill should there be a Labour government after the next general election.

Councillor Glasberg advised that her amendment to the motion had been withdrawn.

Resolved (unanimously):

Climate & Nature Bill

Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt in the UK, and across the world. The average global temperature has already increased by 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels and—alongside this—the natural world has reached crisis point, with 28% of plants and animals threatened with extinction. In addition, the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world as more than one in seven of our plants and animals face extinction, and more than 40% are in decline.

The Climate & Ecology Nature Bill (an updated version of the previous Climate & Ecology Bill and before that the CEE Bill), seeks to address the challenges that this situation poses by creating a whole-of-government approach to deliver a net zero and nature positive future.

The Bill aims to align current UK environmental policy with the need to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030, which was a goal agreed to at COP15,); and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UK’s fair share of the remaining global carbon budget to give the strongest chance of limiting global heating to 1.5°C, which was the goal agreed to at COP21.

By bridging the gap between the UK Government’s current delivery, and what has been agreed at international levels, Britain has a chance to be a world leader on climate and the environment; seizing the opportunities of the clean energy transition, including green jobs and skills; reduced energy bills; and boosting the UK’s food and energy security.

This council notes that:

·      This council declared a Climate Emergency in February 2019.

·      This council declared a bio-diversity emergency in May 2019

·      Cambridge is one of 119 Global Cities named Climate Action Leaders on the Carbon Disclosure Project 2023 A List. A-List cities are taking four times as many climate mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A Listers.

·      Cambridge City Council is ranked second amongst all UK District councils by Climate Action Scorecards (run by Climate Emergency UK) on actions we have taken to reach net zero in 2023.

·      In our Climate Change Strategy 2021-2026 we set a target for the Council to be net zero carbon in our direct emissions by 2030 and our Carbon Management Plan explains how we plan to achieve it.

·      Our Change Strategy 2021-2026 also sets out a vision for Cambridge City to be net zero carbon by 2030 but we need a more ambitious policy framework and increased investment from national government in order to achieve that.

The Climate & Nature E Bill would require the UK Government to develop and achieve a new environmental strategy, which would include:

1. Delivering a joined-up environmental plan, as the crises in climate and nature are deeply intertwined, and require a plan that considers both together;

2. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with 1.5°C to ensure emissions are reduced in line with the best chance of meeting the UK’s Paris Agreement obligations;

3. Not only halting, but also reversing the decline in nature, setting nature measurably on the path to recovery by 2030;

4. Taking responsibility for our overseas footprint, both emissions and ecological;

5. Prioritising nature in decision-making, and ending fossil fuel production and imports as rapidly as possible;

6. Providing for re-training for those people currently working in fossil fuel industries; and

7. Giving the British people a say in finding a fair way forward via a temporary, independent and representative Climate & Nature Assembly, as part of creating consensus and ensuring that no one and no community is left behind.

This council therefore resolves to:

1. Support the Climate and Ecology Nature Bill;

2. Inform local residents and the local press of this decision;

3. Write to our MPs Daniel Zeichner & Anthony Browne to inform them him that this motion has been passed, and urge them both him to sign up to support the CE Bill.

4. Write to Zero Hour, the organisers of the cross-party campaign for the CE Bill, expressing Cambridge City Council’s support.

5. Write to Sir Keir Starmer MP expressing Cambridge City Council’s support for the bill and requesting that it be upgraded from a private members’ bill to a government bill should there be a Labour government after the next general election.