Today marks an historic moment, the first time a government Minister has stood up in the UK parliament to deliver a status update on the climate and nature emergencies.
This inaugural annual statement to parliament on the state of climate change and nature was delivered by Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, on behalf of himself and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed.
Catherine Pettengell, Executive Director of Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) said:
“The science is clear, the public demand for action is clear, and now the response from across the political spectrum must be clear too. Denial and delay are for the history books. Today must dawn a new lasting cross-party consensus to act, if we are to deliver a just transition away from fossil fuels that leaves no one behind and restores nature. Climate action is about investing in a better future for all.
Public support for action to address the climate and nature emergencies is high, and just last Wednesday more than 5,000 people from across the UK met with their MPs as part of a mass lobby to Act Now, Change Forever.
CAN-UK calls on this government and all future governments to annually report to parliament on the state of climate change and nature, and to address the climate and nature emergencies in tandem, as the science demands. This requires investment in measures that work for people, nature, and climate, and ensuring that all policies and investments do not harm nature or the climate, or leave people behind”
CAN-UK also warmly welcomes today’s publication of Unlocking benefits for people, nature and climate: Actions to jointly address climate change and biodiversity loss in England by the Government. This report is a clear demonstration of the UK’s intention to systematically build synergies between nature and climate action to maximise benefits for us all. This report will send a strong signal to countries around the world on the power and potential of such a joined up approach, but the true measure of success will be in the implementation domestically, and the benefits for communities across the UK. We hope that today’s report provides a tool to identify and address areas of government policy that currently fall short of delivering for people, nature, and climate, and bring about the improvements necessary to ensure communities and nature can thrive.
