Ilkley MP meets with local organisations to discuss Climate and Nature Bill

Climate Action Ilkley and other local organisations involved with addressing the climate emergency met Ilkley's MP Robbie Moore last week to urge him to support making the Climate and Nature Bill law.

If passed, the Bill would create a legally binding obligation for the Government to deliver on climate and nature commitments already made; require that climate change and loss of biodiversity are considered together - as the two are clearly interconnected - and lead to the creation of a citizens' assembly on climate and nature to build consensus, reduce polarisation, and provide politicians with publicly backed, practical solutions. 

The Bill is already supported by 192 MPs, including Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem, Green and Independent, by over 1,000 scientists and medics and by 75,000 individuals who have signed up to the campaign to make the Bill law. In addition to Climate Action Ilkley, similar local groups in Addingham, Silsden and Riddlesden, Wharfedale Naturalists, Friends of Wharfedale Greenway, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Yorkshire Rewilding Network, all believe that it is an important step in holding Government to account for delivering on commitments to the climate and nature. Ilkley Town Council gave its backing to the Bill in 2021.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Yorkshire Rewilding Network, all believe that it is an important step in holding Government to account for delivering on commitments to the climate and nature. Ilkley Town Council gave its backing to the Bill in 2021.

Despite this level of support, Mr Moore declined to add his weight to the campaign, saying that he does not support the Bill.

Steven Webb from Climate Action Ilkley said:

"We are glad Mr Moore took the time to meet constituents to discuss this legislation, but disappointed that he didn't agree to support it.

“We believe it is short-sighted not to take action now that will only be more costly and more difficult for everyone if delayed. Also, as the Confederation of British Industry said in their report in February this year, moving to net zero is an economic opportunity for the UK - growth by value and jobs created in the sector increased three times faster than the rest of the UK economy between 2023 and 2024. Increasing renewable energy produced here also gives the country greater independence at a time of international conflicts.

"We, and the other supporting groups, will continue to campaign to get this important piece of legislation in place so that we can all hold the current and future governments to account for the action necessary to regain the UK's leadership on climate and to protect and restore our natural environment."

Robbie Moore MP said:

“It was fantastic to meet with Climate Action Ilkley, Riddlesden Green Connection and others who are doing some excellent work. We had a proper sit-down and debate about the detail of the Climate and Nature Bill and whilst we disagreed, we did so respectfully. 

"As we discussed in the meeting, I cannot support the Climate and Nature Bill in its current form, and I think it is important to explain why. 

"First of all, whilst I appreciate the Bill is well intentioned, we really do need to confront the fact that the UK currently contributes 1% towards all global greenhouse gas emissions. Even if the UK halted emissions by 2035, it would save less than 1% of the 400 billion tonnes needed globally to stay below 1.5°C. 

"There are some who say that our actions would inspire others. The blunt reality is that whilst the UK has continued to lead on this issue - cutting emissions faster than any other major economy and continuing to rank near the top of the international Climate Change Performance Index - countries like the US and China have in fact ramped up their production of fossil fuels since then, rather than following our lead. 

"Second, there is no detail in this bill about how the government would actually pay for these measures. The current government have so far failed to show that they are willing to properly support families with the cost of living. I simply do not trust them to see through legislation that risks making these pressures even worse - particularly in historically-disadvantaged places like the Keighley area, where the cost-of-living and recent tax rises are already hitting working families hard. Further cost increases would only undermine public support for these measures, who already feel their voices are not being heard. 

"What I think this highlights is the idealistic mindset currently underpinning many aspects of this debate. I want to see the UK continue to lead on this issue, but we must take care that policy doesn’t come at the expense of the people who can least afford it.  We need to do this in a way that builds consensus and doesn’t leave working people behind and we must be realistic about the responsibilities of bigger nations.

"I will always welcome the chance to sit down with local groups and hear their ideas and I look forward to continuing this discussion."

Responding to Mr Moore's comments, Steven Webb from Climate Action Ilkley said:

"I can reassure Mr Moore that our views on the Climate and Nature Bill are very pragmatic.

"He is right that, on one measure of the UK's contribution to global greenhouse emissions, our contribution is less than 1%. However, adding up all the countries in the world with relatively low emissions (less than 2%) accounts for approximately 40% of the total. If the UK uses this as an argument not to make more progress, we can't expect those other countries to do so, nor are we in a strong position to argue that the "major" polluters do.

"The UK has made some progress on reducing it's emissions - largely by the increase in renewable energy generation, but the measure most often quoted by successive governments ignores the emissions generated by the goods the UK buys from overseas.  A large part of the claimed reduction has come from industrial production moving out of the UK and into other countries - hardly a success story. Comparing the figures (from the Office for National Statistics) shows a 54% reduction since 1990 when we ignore the emissions from the things we buy, but only 20% when those are included.

"While we all know that US policy is going backwards under the current administration, it is worth noting that during 2023/24 China's installations of renewable energy were about twice the rest of the world combined - hitting their 2030 target six years ahead of schedule.

"Mr Moore is rightly concerned about a transition to net zero being socially just - the very reason the Climate and Nature Bill contains a "social lock" to ensure all communities have a voice in shaping the way forward. We also pointed out to him that energy generation from renewables is now cheaper than fossil fuels, so basing our electricity prices on that source would reduce bills, as well as increasing our energy security. Recent reports from a number of sources also highlight the potential damage to the UK's economy from the current under-estimation of climate risks and the significant economic benefits from the transition to net zero.

"The targets in the Climate and Nature Bill are not new, they are the international ones agreed to by previous administrations under David Cameron and Rishi Sunak, and it can't be helpful to the UK's world standing to go back on our commitments.

"Mr Moore has been invited to attend a Westminster briefing for MPs by eight of the UK's leading experts on climate and nature, to be held in November, and we urge him to attend so that he has the most up-to-date and accurate information as we continue this discussion."