Local firms urge MPs to back climate bill

The letter states "there is no business on a dead planet"

In honour of World Environment Day, local businesses are urging MPs to back a climate bill ahead of the upcoming election.

More than 70 businesses in Bristol have signed a letter supporting the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill, which aims to tackle climate change and environmental destruction.

The letter urges MPs to take notice of the “increasingly vulnerable impacts of climate-related extreme weather events”.

The signatories include Triodos Bank, Arup, Boston Tea Party, Silverback Films, and Natracare, among others.

In 2023, extreme weather caused flood damage to several shopping centres in Bristol

The CAN Bill was introduced in Parliament in September 2020, and ultimately aims to create a “sustainable local economy” by mitigating environmental risks.

The letter explains the adverse effects of an “unpredictable and chaotic climate on supply chains", thus causing business costs to skyrocket.

It reads: “As we so often hear, there is no business on a dead planet.

“The CAN Bill will help reverse the destruction of nature here in the UK, as well as address the damage that the UK causes to nature globally through our ecological footprint overseas.”

The joint letter will be sent to MPs of Bristol Central, Bristol East, Bristol North East, Bristol North West and Bristol South next week.

Bevis Watts from Triodos Bank UK says the bill is "vital" for ensuring a sustainable future

Zero Hour, a campaign set up to endorse the bill, helps the public to connect with their local MPs, whom they can urge to back the Bill.

James Sutton, strategic partnerships lead at Zero Hour, says it "represents opportunity" for businesses by helping them prevent damage caused by extreme weather.

Bevis Watts, CEO of Triodos Bank UK, said the letter was a way to “represent combined voices”.

He said: “By backing the Climate and Nature Bill, [MPs] will be playing a vital part in ensuring a bright future for the businesses of Bristol and a happy, healthy and prosperous future for its people."

"That’s something we would all vote for," he added.

Founder of feminine hygiene products Natracare, Susie Hewson, said she believes local businesses need to play their part in reducing the harmful effects of climate change.

“In order to pick up the pace, local political candidates must amplify our combined voices in Parliament," she said.

Business owner Susie Hewson says she believes "climate change, pollution, and the loss of natural habitats" are the biggest challenges facing our world

CEO of Boston Tea Party, Sam Roberts, reiterates their mission to make positive and systemic change for staff, customers, and the planet.

"We believe that doing good is good for business," he said.

"And whilst we're always working on having a positive impact in our local communities through our cafes, we need systemic national change in order to address the challenges facing our planet.”

The Bill is supported by more than 180 MPs from all major parties in the UK Parliament, and more than 800 prospective parliamentary candidates who will be contesting the general election in July.