John,

The Environment Bill presents a real opportunity to set standards for how we treat our planet and make sure that the government is held accountable for their actions.

The way the bill is currently designed won't hold them to their word. It won't make it a crime to destroy natural resources. As Greens, we know that targets without legislation will result in no accountability nor action.

We need to make sure that the bill:

🌎Creates an Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) that has independence of funding and appointments

🌎Doesn't allow the government to direct OEP's work or hide reports

🌎Ensures the OEP can take court action against the government and other public bodies when they get things wrong

🌎Commits the UK government to work to make ecocide an international crime

🌎Ensures that Ministers MUST meet targets, interim targets and stick to environmental principles

In September, the Environment Bill will move to report stage. We have the summer to make sure we put adequate pressure on peers, MPs and the public so that we create a bill that requires the government to protect our planet, by law. That's why we are asking you to sign our petition.

By signing this petition, you are calling on members of the House of Lords to back amendments that give us an Environment Bill that will deliver what's urgently needed for people and nature, MPs to support them, and the government to accept those amendments.

If you want to know more about the Environment Bill, we are getting together at 5PM today to chat about all you need to know. You can join us by signing up here.

In hope,

Natalie Bennett & Jenny Jones