Contacting 'difficult' MPs

Some of us are in strong Tory or DUP seats or with MPs who have had very poor records on Climate. But that doesn’t mean we give up! If anything we fight harder for representation.

If you have made any progress with your difficult MPs please tell us what you did and how you did it!

Leave a contact so we can ask you about it!


Make sure you have done your research and approach with a specific ask (Support the Bill!)

Another ask may be to forward it to Ministers of BEIS, DfT, DIT, Boris, or meet with you to talk about it further.

Offer that the Bill is still in development and they have an opportunity to contribute to it - what would they advise? (this shows you respect their opinion)

Common reasons they may not be supportive:

Target the wording to base their political party e.g. Youtube Video about Migration and Climate Change

Why not send a tweet in support of the CEE Bill, and at the same time ask your MP to give it their support?

Citizens' Assembly, but this time with bite

Critics of the CEE Bill may claim that the UK has recently held a Citizens’ Assembly (CA) – Climate Assembly UK – and there’s no need to hold another one. Don’t leave this unchallenged!

Climate Assembly UK, whilst recently giving an interim briefing about the post-COVID recovery with some positive findings, has no binding powers. In other words, it has no teeth. It also has the fixed objective of how to meet carbon net zero emissions by 2050.

In contrast, the CA proposed by the CEE Bill: Has the twin objectives of addressing the climate and ecological crises. Has “bite” ,meaning that recommendations with significant support within the CA (at least 80% of members) must be incorporated into Government policy.

Is not constrained by a target date for carbon net zero, ensuring action is based on scientific urgency and not political viability. The proposed CA will consider how the UK ensures it does its fair share to avoid going over critical rises in global temperature. In essence, it will be answering these questions:

Nature & Climate

The protection and conservation of nature and ecosystems, not just in the UK but around the world, is treated with the importance it deserves. There’s a recognition that the ecological emergency is no less urgent than the climate emergency.

Fairness

The CA must take account of international & intergenerational equity, the UK’s historical emissions, and ensure that measures do not disproportionately impact minorities or deprived communities. This looks like a significant step in the right direction toward climate and social justice.

No Creative Accounting

It’s time to come clean on the real carbon footprint of the UK. That carpet was getting kind of lumpy anyway! Aviation, shipping and imports will no longer have a free ride.

No Magical Thinking

Reliance on speculative carbon capture future technologies to save the day has been a way of kicking the can down the road, and allowing the emissions of “business as usual” to continue. Not any more. Instead there will be an increased focus on the use of natural carbon sinks such as peat bogs, woodlands and soil.

Broad Campaign Team

This is not “an XR bill”, it has been drafted by an alliance of experts, including some XR supporters. Contributions have been made by respected climate, energy and ecology academics, alongside a lead author of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report.

Economy

There is an increasing consensus that a green revolution is needed for an “environmental necessity and an economic opportunity” leading to a “stronger, more resilient economy” , and the CEE bill would help companies have a level-playing field to do this, leading to significant long-term economic gains. The Smiths School has a lot of research on this, including

The Smith School Link conclusions on page 16, and supported by a long list of experts (page 27)

The Bank of England and Climate Financial Risk Forum are very clear on the increased risks due to the climate crisis, and have set deadlines for financial institutions to reduce their risks (e.g. SS3/19, FS19/6). This includes risks due to climate disasters. Many business leaders have stated in the Bright Blue May 2020 essay collection “Delivering Net Zero” that the government has a key role in this issue, which is supported by the CEE bill.

Bright Blue May 2020 essay Collection Link


Revision #4
Created 28 October 2020 17:04:55 by Alex-and-ra
Updated 28 October 2020 17:30:15 by Alex-and-ra