We have our own network, as does every campaigning organisation within the climate & nature sector. But as a sector we now need to come together, to push for real change with one voice that cannot be ignored. That’s why we’re asking individuals, campaigners, businesses and anyone who cares about climate & nature to lend us their voice, and for those with influence, power and trust to lend us their networks and influence on occasion, so that each individual issue still gets fought for and that we have the ability to respond quickly and effectively together.
The way we influence and lobby
Oversight and influence across the issues to create a sector-wide narrative
Political activity across the parliamentary estate and devolved and local governments takes many forms. So many in fact, that no singular campaigning organisation can keep track of, build and maintain the relationships needed across all of them without the right technology, staff, experience and lobbyist support. We want to lend those skills, support and technology to climate and nature campaigners on the issues that matter.
Below is a list of the primary areas where we operate (although this is not an exhaustive list):
All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs)
MPs and decision makers are in the room at APPG meetings (unlike most parliamentary events). They are an opportunity for a single area to receive dedicated time and focus and APPGs have the opportunity to influence government and ministerial decision making on policy.
Early Day Motions
Early Day Motions (EDMs) are used by MPs in the Commons to draw the attention of the House to a particular issue, event or campaign. They are a good way to raise awareness and bring issues to the forefront within the political environment. For example, 412 of the 646 MPs signed EDM178 calling for the Climate Change Bill, which led to it being included in the Queen’s speech the following year and later became the Climate Change Act 2008.
Amendments to bills
Amendments are an effective way to tweak legislation, especially on government bills that are definitely going to pass. They allow MPs to improve legislation and push for changes to ensure practicality, enforceability and most importantly, viability of the laws that get passed. This means they’re perfect for ensuring climate and nature remains on the agenda in relation to functional areas like procurement where small changes can lead to big impact. For example, amendments to the Energy Act 2023 gave Ofcom the energy regulator a statutory net zero duty.
Private Members’ Bills and Ten Minute Rule Bills
These represent an excellent way to put much-needed change and change that is supported by the public in front of parliament without already having the government of the day’s support. They allow lobbyists and campaigners to build a coalition of politicians and the public around their issue or cause. Some of the most important legislation ever passed by parliament has been (or started life as) Private Members’ Bills, including the Abortion Act 1967.
Devolved (Secondary) Legislation, Regional Mayors and Councils
Post the Localism Act 2011, and the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 the government has shifted significant decision making powers away from central government control to elected mayors, councils and devolved governments such as the Scottish and Welsh governments. This means that large proportions of the decisions relating to your communities, your regions and your towns actually take place at local level, allowing us to attempt to influence how these decisions are implemented and how they affect climate and nature in your local communities.
Consultations
The sector isn’t responding to enough consultations and isn’t building enough traction with the civil service, which means it isn’t being taken seriously enough.We need to show sensible asks, show that the sector is serious, and that it’s willing to work with government.
This also means understanding the complexities, priorities and compromises needed to drive real change. Singular organisations responding to consultations can get lost in the noise, whereas collective responses are weighted higher and can build more influence.
Parliamentary committees
Select committees were introduced in 1979 and given significant power post 2010. They are effectively how parliament ensures oversight of government departments and agencies, regulators, policy and the Civil Service. They have the power to make recommendations and to push for change. They are highly reliant on small research teams, so building relationships is a good way to be invited to give evidence and share expertise. Single topic select committees often produce reports that inform legislation.
House of Lords (Lords Temporal)
The House of Lords is made up of experienced business owners and professionals, and people whose legacies matter to them. The House of Lords represents every industry, campaigning organisation and cause, with 738 Lords sitting across the political spectrum or as cross benchers. Its function is to scrutinise legislation, hold the government to account, and consider and report on public policy. Individual peers can introduce legislation and amendments to bills.
The Lords Spiritual
26 members of the House of Lords representing religious morality within the political system, alongside cross bench peers from other major religions. They are often the leading voices where there is a strong moral argument, and having them on side can be very powerful.
Political parties
Influencing the manifesto design process and proving that policies are worth doing to secure promises before the election means talking to the parties themselves, rather than the MPs and the candidates.
Petitions and letter writing
An excellent tool to build public momentum alongside the other tools on this list. We have the network to facilitate successful petitions, letter writing campaigns and bring significant public access to your campaigns.
Debates and oral questions
It’s rare that debates and oral questions ever result in legislation, however like EDMs and Private Members’ Bills, they are a lobbying stepping stone bringing the issues we’re fighting for to the forefront of the parliamentary estate and pushing political parties, politicians and the government to take a stand on an issue that must then be defended or implemented. One of the most powerful tools for garnering significant public support and pushing for government policy.
Regulators
Regulators are the ones most likely to impact immediate change to how we live. UK Regulators often consult businesses, charities and the public when setting out new regulation or making significant changes, to ensure that what they’re enforcing can be applied in practice. With a number of regulators in finance, advertising and industry now looking at sustainability standards and practices, this is another effective channel for the sector to ensure that standards are robust enough to protect climate and nature.