Climate Change Bill off to a flying start

242 MPs have now signed the Early Day Motion in support of the Climate Change Bill.

This is fantastic news. And it has only been achieved because of the thousands of you who contacted your MP on the issue. Thank you to each and every one of you who have taken action.

Encouraging signs

242 signatures makes Early Day Motion 178 one of the most signed petitions in parliament.

All parties are showing support for the Climate Change Bill.

Norman Baker (Lib Dem), Michael Meacher (Lab) and Tim Yeo (Cons) at the launch of the Climate Change Bill.

The Bill is also supported by a coalition of non-governmental groups including - Help the Aged, Christian Aid and WWF.

Nuts and bolts

What would the Climate Change Bill do?

• Cut carbon dioxide
  By setting legally binding targets to reduce emissions by 3% year on year
• Force the PM to report on progress
  The Prime Minister of the day would have to report to Parliament each year.
• Make the Government take action
  If targets aren't met, the Government would have to find ways to get back on track.

Looking ahead

This is a really encouraging start to The Big Ask campaign. However, we are in for the long haul - and there is plenty more that we need to do.

We hope to build support among MPs so that we can raise the number of signatures to over 400.

So, if you haven't yet done so, please write to your MP to check that s/he has signed Early Day Motion 178.

We also want to encourage MPs to be more deeply committed to the campaign. This will be hard work, and we will be asking for your help to acheive this.

But for the moment we just want to draw breath and say 'thank you' to all of you for supporting The Big Ask campaign.

Let's hope this time next year we will be able to boast 400 signatures!

Discuss "Climate Change Bill off to a flying start" in our forum

Main image © Martyn Williams/Friends of the Earth