Leader of Dorset Council Nick Ireland, who is also Cabinet Member for Climate, Performance and Safeguarding, has written to all of Dorset’s MPs urging them to support the upcoming Climate and Nature Bill.
The bill, which will be discussed in parliament on 24 January, aims to make the UK’s international commitments to tackle climate change and halt nature loss stronger.
The letter, addressed to all 5 of Dorset’s MPs, reads as follows:
“Firstly, I would like to take the opportunity to wish you a happy New Year; one that I have no doubt will be busy for you in what promises to be an interesting and impactful year.
As you will be aware through the recent production of its council plan, Dorset Council has made combatting the climate and nature emergencies one of its top priorities. Leadership in this space is more important than ever, and no matter our scale or reach, showing the right leadership and actions to reduce our environmental impact and support our natural systems is critical. In an area such as Dorset that is vulnerable to climate change, as well as being host to an outstanding natural environment, this is an issue that is important to our residents as evidenced in our recent residents’ survey.
Ever increasing negative impacts due to climate change and biodiversity loss across the planet are being felt by communities and the natural world alike, and on our current trajectory the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees will almost certainly be missed, and even limiting to a 2-degree rise is now looking challenging given current global trends linked to a lack of co-ordinated action.
It is through this prism that I am writing to ask that you please support the forthcoming Climate and Nature Bill (private members bill) that will have its second reading in the House of Commons on January 24. This bill, which at its heart, will require the UK to achieve climate and nature targets through a range of duties and instruments, could be critical if the UK is to meet its obligations and show the leadership required at a time of not only national, but worldwide emergency.
The bill was born from cross-party collaboration, and it is in this spirit that I write to you; the issue of climate and biodiversity breakdown is not one that should be bogged down in political wrangling, it is too important for that. While there are some legal and legislative frameworks in place, recent history has suggested that these are not yet strong enough to ensure that delivering on our obligations remains a steadfast commitment. This commitment should never be seen as something that compromises other key areas of our social and economic life; if done well, it should enhance them.
On January 24, the support of 102 MPs is required to enable this bill to proceed to the committee stage. While I acknowledge that the vote being on a Friday can be problematic with constituency commitments, this vote could be transformational and send a clear signal, should you vote to support, that the MPs of Dorset are committed to a cause that represents one of the greatest challenges of our time.
If you could please let me know whether you intend to attend the vote, I would be very grateful, and I remain committed that through our shared leadership on this issue, we can position Dorset and our response to these twin crises as a national leader.
Yours sincerely,
Nick Ireland
Leader, Dorset Council”