Motion A25: Climate and nature bill

In 2019, PCS joined with parliament, local councils and over 190 cultural institutions in declaring a climate emergency. Some progress has been made but the response has not been proportionate to the emergency we face.

A National Security Assessment report titled ‘Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security’ acknowledged global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse as a critical threat to the UK’s national security, economy and public order.

The government’s Climate and Nature Bill is the most comprehensive response to this briefing and would make legally binding both the UK’s international commitment to the global 1.5C carbon budget and to halting and reversing nature loss by 2030.

Lizzy (HO Merseyside) said: “Climate change is too big and too important to not rise to the challenge. the climate crisis is not an abstract r future threat: from heat waves, wildfires, flooding and food shortages. Our union has a proud history of campaigning in climate issues in workplaces and wider society. An emergency response is required and this motion lays the foundation for building that.”

Faika (HMRC Stratford) added: “It’s easy to forget about the environment amid conversations about pay, conditions and the rise of the far right. But this issue is as serious as anything else. We need to be clear what damage we’re doing –for our futures and our kids’ futures.”

Far-right hates the environment because it gets in the way of profits

Simon (DWP Sheffield) said: “The environment is something that Trump, Farage and the far right all hate because it gets in the way of profits. This motion is another strand in opposition to the far right as well one which hopes to safeguard a planet we can live on.”

Tracy from DESNZ commented: “My members work on the front line of tackling climate change but we’re facing 20% cuts in the face of an environment emergency. That’s also true of our comrades at DEFRA. Support the motion.”

Joseph from MoJ Northamptonshire added: “If you look at how the environment is talked about, it’s always focused on individuals and what we can and should do. But most of the impact is from corporations and governments. That’s why this motion is important –because we need to put pressure on the institutions that cause the most damage. Support the motion.”

Hannah David, on behalf of the NEC, stated: “PCS has a long record as a leading union in TUC on environmental policy and it’s an area members feel passionately about. For the third year in a row, PCS has run a week of climate change activities. We know there’s more to do but progress is important. We’re running an event in Bristol on green bargaining and we have launched a monthly digest on climate justice issues. We support the climate and nature bill and we urge conference to support the motion.”

Delegates unanimously instructed the NEC to pressure the government for accountability on this work, lobby MPs to support the climate and nature bill, and increase union campaigning.

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