MP backs ‘revolutionary’ climate emergency bill

Brendan O’Hara MP is among the first 100 UK members of parliament to back a ‘revolutionary’ new climate emergency bill.

Mr O’Hara, who represents Argyll and Bute for the SNP in the House of Commons, has given his overwhelming support to the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill (CEE).

He said it aims to address climate change and commits to restoring the UK’s ecological landscape.

It has won support from a range of opposition parties from the Greens to Plaid Cymru, Labour and the Liberal Democrats. If enacted, it would create a roadmap for the UK to meet its obligations in limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels.

It would also conserve nature by restoring soils and reducing species loss, said Mr O’Hara.

The Bill would also create a representative citizens’ assembly, similar to the one in Scotland, to bring together people from the UK nations to propose steps needed to transition to a zero carbon society, he said.

Mr O’Hara said as Glasgow prepared to host the UN COP26 conference in November, it marked a unique opportunity for Scotland to be at the forefront of the issue.

‘COP26 is the most important summit on climate change since the 2015 Paris summit— and I am proud to be co-lead for the SNP Westminster team in helping ensure that Scotland’s actions on climate and nature are lifted up for other nations to strive towards,’ said Mr O’Hara.

‘It’s for these reasons I support the Climate Ecological Emergency (CEE Bill) in Westminster.

‘I’m proud to be amongst the first 100 MPs from across eight political parties backing this revolutionary proposal.

‘The CEE Bill is the only legislative plan before MPs that aims to address climate change while committing to restoring the UK’s ecological landscape.

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‘It creates a viable environmental strategy that many of us in Westminster have been crying out for—and it does it by involving citizens.’

Mr O’Hara has also backed the associated #Climate100 campaign.

It is described as an investor-led initiative to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change.

A number of constituents and groups, including Time For Change Argyll & Bute, have written asking Mr O’Hara to support the campaign.

The grassroots group has been pressing for quicker action to combat climate change and has members across Taylvallich, Oban, Helensburgh, Bute, Iona and Cowal.