Climate and Nature Bill returns

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall calls on PM to ‘get a grip’ on climate and nature inaction

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Published: July 7, 2025
This Article was written by: Katie Hill - My Green Pod
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Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has accused ministers of ‘going into hiding’ as the Climate and Nature Bill returns to parliament.

The celebrity chef led a coalition of scientists, business leaders and campaigners to Downing Street to deliver a letter to the prime minister, urging him to back the law change.

The letter warns of increased ‘floods, economic instability, and threats to national security’ if climate change and nature depletion are not properly addressed.

Those joining the broadcaster included Sarah Morse, Triodos Bank’s chief financial officer; Ellen Bradley, UK Youth for Nature co-director; the Reverend Canon Giles Goddard, Faith for the Climate chair and Oxford University’s Professor Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland.

Time for a ‘proper debate’

The signatories hit out at the ‘vast amounts of public money’ being spent on fossil fuel subsidies and argue ministers’ previous commitments to enact the ambitions of the Bill should be honoured.

If passed, the Climate and Nature Bill would require the government to involve workers and communities in setting out a joined-up strategy for delivering the UK’s international climate and nature commitments, and to report annually on measurable progress – as promised by ministers.

The private members’ bill was effectively put on pause by government whips back in January but received record support across the Commons, including almost 90 Labour MPs.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed announced their backing for the ‘spirit and substance’ of the Bill earlier this year, but campaigners say commitments to enact the proposals have stalled.

‘The Prime Minister must get a grip on the climate and nature crisis which threatens our economy, our health and our food and energy security.

‘We cannot allow the next year of this Labour government to be a continuation of the dither and delay we witnessed under the previous administration.

‘While some ministers appear to have gone into hiding since previously pledging their support for the ambitions of the Climate and Nature Bill, we know, and they know, that failing to act will have devastating consequences for our future. It must be brought back to Parliament for a proper debate.’

HUGH FEARNLEY-WHITTINGSTALL
Celebrity chef and broadcaster

A mandate for change

The Bill is set to return to the Commons on Friday 11 July 2025, but is unlikely to be debated due to parliamentary time constraints.

Campaigners say the government must give the Bill time to be debated and voted on in order to follow through on their previous promises.

Campaigners also called on the government to adopt a cross-government approach to better engage with the Bill’s parliamentary supporters and drive meaningful change across Whitehall.

‘Despite securing an overwhelming mandate for change, ministers have yet to properly seize the opportunity to redouble the fight against the climate and nature crisis, and in turn boost our economic and energy security.

‘Just this week, we have seen hundreds of grassroots campaigners from across the country call on the government to make good on their previous promises and take the action hundreds of MPs – some 90 of them Labour – support.

‘With the Climate and Nature Bill listed for a Commons debate next week, and senior cabinet ministers supporting the ‘spirit and substance’ of the proposals, the prime minister must now give the Bill the time it deserves to be properly debated and voted on in parliament.’

DR AMY MCDONNELL
Co-director of Zero Hour

The action follows more than 650 letters to the prime minister, delivered straight to the door of Downing Street, from towns and cities across the country – stretching from Inverness to Canterbury and Bristol to Lancaster.

The coordinated letter-writing campaign, led by Zero Hour, is thought to be a first of its kind on an environmental issue in British politics.