(Source: Zero Hour website)
Gosport Borough Council supports the Climate and Nature Bill
GFFOE has been working to gain support for the Climate and Nature Bill, a private members bill, with cross party support, designed to commit the Government to act according to the science to achieve a just transition to a sustainable economy.
Malcolm Spencer and Sarah Hirom met with the Mayor, Cllr Richard Earl, and Cllrs Bob Maynard and Julie Westerby at the end of November 2024. They were very supportive of the idea which they took to the Liberal Group who agreed that a motion should be put to the full Council Meeting in February 2025. Malcolm and Sarah met with Cllr Maynard and Cllr Finn to finalise the wording of the motion which they would propose and second respectively. It was agreed that Malcolm would make a deputation on behalf of GFFOE.
On February 5th 2025 Malcolm made his deputation (see text below) and Cllr. Maynard introduced the motion saying:
“The Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill is a legally binding mission statement which will ensure policy and action on the climate and nature crisis is science-led and people-oriented.
The UK led the world with the Climate Change Act of 2008 and did so again with its commitment to Net Zero by 2050. In both cases, other countries followed our lead. The CAN Bill would set a gold standard for other developed nations. By passing it, UK politicians would help inspire positive action across the world.”
He then put the motion:
“Gosport Borough Council (GBC) unreservedly lends its support to the passing and implementation of the CAN Bill. In so doing, GBC acknowledges the extreme urgency of the action needed to mitigate the effects of climate change and the extreme negative impact on the natural habitat that is happening right now, increasing at an exponential rate; thereby, seriously damaging the life chances of the coming generations.”
It was seconded by Councillor Finn.
Discussion followed, largely supportive. Cllr. June Cully sought to amend the motion by removing “unreservedly”; this was accepted by Bob Maynard and the amended motion was put to the vote and passed.
The CAN Bill was not put to the vote in Parliament on 24th Jan. 2024 and the debate was postponed to July, when it stands little chance of becoming law, on the understanding and promise from Ed Miliband that the government would incorporate many of its provisions into measures they would bring forward themselves. However, it was still important to register Gosport’s support for the provisions of the Bill in order to keep up the pressure on the Government to bring in a programme of accelerated action to address climate change and protect nature while meeting people’s needs for a just transition to a sustainable economy.
Text of Malcolm’s deputation to the Council Meeting on 5 Feb. 2025
Presentation to Gosport Borough Council in Support of the Climate and Nature Bill on 5th Feb 2025.
By Malcolm Spencer, GFFOE
“Good evening.
Thank you for allowing me, as a representative of Gosport Friends of the Earth, to present to you the case for supporting the Climate and Nature Bill. I know that the agenda for tonight is full, so I will make this presentation very very brief and focus on the key issues.
The Climate and Nature Bill, as the saying goes, “does what it says on the tin”. Informed by the science, it commits the government to reducing carbon emissions, at home and abroad, to reversing the loss of plant and wildlife and to involving the public.
The climate, nature and the public are linked because, if the climate changes, then plants and wildlife cannot adapt quickly enough. As nature is our ally in combatting and adapting to climate change, a loss of plants and wildlife leads to a more rapid climate change. And, to make the necessary changes, the public needs to be on-side.
This is urgent. The average worldwide temperature in 2024 was already above the 1.5 degree C, that was the target set in Paris in 2015. Also, two weeks ago it was announced that the CO2 levels in the atmosphere were higher than they have been for over 3 million years. As for nature, scientists tell us that 28% of plants AND animals (yes more than a quarter) are threatened with COMPLETE extinction.
BUT, we know what needs to be done to slow climate change and how to bring species back from the brink and this bill encourages the necessary measures.
So why is supporting the Bill important for Gosport?
• A warmer climate means fiercer storms that make flooding more likely.
• And it also means a rise in sea level. The current forecast is that sea levels will rise between 10 and 60 cm by 2050 - that's only 25 years away. That makes sea defences very expensive or may even make Gosport indefensible.
• And for nature, surveys have shown that in Hampshire some 46 plants are already considered
extinct;
• and we know that involving people more with nature is good for their physical and mental health.
Why is supporting the Bill beneficial to Gosport?
• A government, committed by the bill, will need to take action and find the money to support those
actions. A prepared Gosport will be able to take advantage of that money to keep people safe from
floods, to build energy efficient homes and adapt to a sustainable and healthier future. I am sure
you all want that for Gosport.
• The public is already aware of Climate Change and expects government, local and national, to take
action. Supporting this Bill is one way of showing your voters that you are taking action.
• And improving nature locally improves how people feel and when people feel happy, they are more
likely to support their local councillor.
We should take action NOW to secure a sustainable future.
Voting to support this motion, tonight, and joining 380 other councils, is one small step in the right direction. I therefore ask you to vote for this motion this evening.”