Support the Climate & Nature Bill – write to your MP today!
The landscapes we love - mountains, moorlands, and uplands - are under threat like never before. These valued spaces, central to the outdoor community, are not only vital for recreation but also serve as critical ecosystems, providing clean air, water, and carbon storage.
The Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill, scheduled for its second reading in Parliament on 24 January 2025, is a critical opportunity to protect these areas for future generations. This bill would enshrine the UK’s international commitments to halt nature loss and combat climate change into law. But for it to succeed, over 100 MPs must attend and vote in its favour. The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is calling on its members and the wider outdoor community to write to their MPs today and urge them to support the CAN Bill.
Why is the CAN Bill Important?
The CAN Bill focuses on three critical pillars: climate, nature, and people. The UK is currently facing significant environmental challenges. Here’s why this bill is crucial:
1. Alarming nature loss
The UK ranks among the worst countries globally for nature loss, with only 3% of land and 8% of seas well-protected for nature. Over the last 50 years, many native species have seen their populations decline by an average of 41%, with 1 in 6 species at risk of extinction. Despite this crisis, the UK has consistently missed targets to restore nature, meeting only 3 out of 10 global targets in 2020, and regressing on six of them.
2. Urgent climate action
The climate crisis demands immediate and ambitious efforts to reduce emissions. Our beloved upland and mountain areas are experiencing significant changes due to climate change. These areas are not only vital for recreation but also provide essential services such as flood management, carbon sinks, clean air and water, wildlife habitats, and are home to millions of people worldwide.
3. International commitments
The CAN Bill would enshrine the UK’s international commitments into law, including halting and reversing nature loss by 2030 (agreed at COP15 in Montreal) and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the 1.5°C target (agreed at COP21 in Paris).
Write to your MP today
Zero Hour, the campaign for the Climate and Nature Bill (CAN), urges everyone to write to their MPs, requesting their attendance and support on January 24 2025.
Steps to take action:
- Find out if your MP has already pledged their commitment here.
- Use the provided email template to contact your MP.
- Even if your MP supports the bill, stress the importance of their physical presence at the reading.
We need every supportive MP in Parliament on 24 January to vote FOR the CAN Bill. Your voice can make a difference.
What is the BMC already doing?
You can find more about the BMC’s commitment in our Climate and Sustainability Action Plan.