Kicking the CAN down the road

Our reaction to the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill being adjourned and how this delay impacts people living in poverty.

Written by Eve Paterson | 31 Jan 2025

A group of people stand with flags and a sign saying 'We're backing the climate and nature bill!' in front of the Westminster building.

Climate campaigners gather outside Westminster ahead of the second reading of the Climate and Nature Bill. Credit: Zero Hour

On Friday 24 January, there was a palpable buzz in Westminster as a hive of Zero Hour bees gathered in support of the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill. As partners with Zero Hour on this important campaign, we were excited to see MPs across parties sporting their bee badges at the debate.

So, with all this support, why didn’t the CAN Bill progress towards becoming law?

What happened at the second reading of the CAN Bill?

Ahead of the second reading in the House of Commons, Zero Hour (the campaign behind the CAN Bill) confirmed that more than 120 MPs had committed to voting for the CAN Bill. However, MPs never got that opportunity to vote.

During the debate, we heard supportive speeches from MPs across the house. Liberal Democrat and sponsor of the CAN Bill, Dr Roz Savage MP, urged, ‘Are we willing to do not what is politically possible but what is scientifically necessary to ensure a future for our planet?’

A woman stands to speak in the house of commons.

Liberal Democrat MP and sponsor of the CAN Bill, Roz Savage, speaks in support of the bill at its second reading in the House of Commons. Credit: Zero Hour

Conservative MP and co-sponsor of the bill, Sir Roger Gale, pointed to the issue of intergenerational justice, adding, ‘I am blessed with five grandchildren. Additionally, I have five surrogate Ukrainian grandchildren...whom I care about passionately. I want them...to enjoy the natural environment that I enjoyed. That is why I am standing here today.’

These comments, along with other contributions from the debate, reflect the broad support of the Bill across parliament as well as how interconnected the climate crisis is with biodiversity loss, poverty and both global and intergenerational injustice.

‘The climate crisis is interconnected with biodiversity loss, poverty and both global and intergenerational injustice.’

As Tearfund, we are encouraged that the bill includes the UK taking responsibility for our historic carbon emissions and the impact climate breakdown is having on communities who have done the least to cause the crisis.

Ultimately, an unexpected defence update from the government interrupted the debate and, in the end, MPs voted to adjourn the debate to Friday 11 July. Due to the number of other items that are already scheduled for that day and the limited time to debate them, it will be more difficult for the CAN Bill to make further progress in this parliamentary term.

In essence, the CAN has been kicked down the road.

A woman and five of her children walking through a dried up riverbed with bushes in the background.

Orbisa and five of her children walking through a dried up riverbed in Ashbehari village in Afar, Ethiopia. Credit: Chris Hoskins/Tearfund

How does this impact communities living in poverty?

This is a disappointing outcome, especially for communities living in poverty. From more frequent devastating weather events and increased food insecurity to exacerbated conflict and displaced families, the climate crisis is not a future threat. It is happening now.

Simba Nyamarezi, Tearfund Country Director for Ethiopia, says, ‘In Ethiopia, we are facing the daily reality of the climate crisis. Our rainfall is increasingly unreliable which causes extremes of flooding and drought. This directly impacts agriculture and ultimately the livelihoods and food security of ordinary people.'

‘The UK must not delay in taking action.’

Simba Nyamarezi

At Tearfund, we continue to work alongside these communities to tackle the worsening effects of climate change and protect God’s creation together. But, we must get to the root of the problem as well as addressing the symptoms.

Simba urges, ‘The UK may not see the impacts of climate change as obviously as we do, but they play an important role in reducing emissions and protecting our natural world. They must not delay in taking action.’

By creating clear, binding legislation to tackle both the climate and nature crises, the UK government would demonstrate international climate leadership – which has never been more important than in our current global context.

How can we respond?

We are so grateful to every one of you who got behind the CAN Bill. In the words of our friends Zero Hour who led the campaign, the CAN Bill has ‘made the Government sit up and listen’. But, let’s work to ensure that we don’t lose momentum and that the UK Government will ‘create a legally-binding, joined-up strategy for climate, nature and people’.

Pray

In times of disappointment and lament for our world, we can turn to our creator God and these words from Psalm 24: 'The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.'

Here are some ways we can pray together as we hold onto this promise:

Thank God that he sustains his creation and has a plan to restore and redeem it. Pray that he will sustain and protect communities that are affected by the climate and nature crises.
Thank God for every MP, organisation, scientist, faith leader and supporter who backs the CAN Bill. Pray that the UK Government is prompted by this support to take urgent action on the climate and nature crises.
Ask God to show each of us ways that we can demonstrate our love for people and our planet in our daily lives.

Keep showing love for people and our planet

If your MP supported the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill then we’d love you to show your gratitude by sending them a note of thanks for standing in solidarity with people and our planet.

It’s still possible that the CAN bill will reach a vote on Friday 11 July, so we want to demonstrate to our elected representatives that action on climate and nature is supported by the majority of voters.

Take action

We remain committed to protecting God’s creation and ensuring no one is left behind in tackling the climate and nature crises, especially those living in poverty. If you want to stand with us and make an impact in your own life, then take a look at these actions and resources.

Written by Eve Paterson