The Devolution Bill

Devolution Bill – Jan 2026 update

We are working with climate and nature groups across England to press for Mayors to be made legally responsible for climate and nature. This will include amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to strengthen its provisions for climate and nature. See this Briefing Paper.

The Devolution Bill is now in the House of Lords. The amendment to add a duty on climate and nature will be discussed there, and then again in the Commons. We understand that ministers may be swayed to add the climate duty if there is more attention from the public. Please encourage everyone you know to write to their MP and ask that they raise it with government ministers, and also send to the ministers direct

• PSSharonTaylor@communities.gov.uk 
• psmiattafahnbulleh@communities.gov.uk
• ministerial.correspondence@communities.gov.uk
• correspondence@energysecurity.gov.uk

Here is some wording for you to adapt as you please:

Dear xxx / Minister Fahnbulleh, Baroness Taylor and Minister White,

The Devolution Bill intends to create the structures of 21st-century local government. But one of the defining missions of this century will be how all levels of government tackle the climate and nature crises.

I am writing to you today to call for the Bill to introduce a climate and strengthened nature duty.

A climate and strengthened nature duty unites local residents like myself with councillors and council staff. The Local Government Association has backed a climate statutory duty, over 500 councillors recently signed a letter in support, and major officer associations like ADEPT have supported a climate statutory duty.

I am worried about the rise of anti-climate politicians who are willing to use their positions to tear down any progress we have made. I want to see more renewable energy in my local area, I want to see cleaner, electric buses and I want my community to be filled with green spaces where nature can thrive. I want to see my council preparing my community for the future impacts of the climate crisis that I know we are already starting to face.

The Devolution Bill presents the perfect opportunity to safeguard local climate and nature action. Please use it to introduce a climate and strengthened nature duty.

Kind regards,

To find out more about what’s going on with devolution and local government reorganisation, see this blog by Chris Holloway of the Winchester climate group https://www.winacc.org.uk/local-government-reorganisation-in-hampshire-and-solent-updated-14-november-2025/

The next meeting of Hampshire Climate Action Network will look at how groups might respond. This is on Saturday 28 February 2026 in St Lawrence Parish Room, Colebrook Street, Winchester SO23 9LH. 1.00 for lunch and networking, meeting 2.00-4.30. Email hcan@winacc.org.uk to get the zoom link if you can’t be there in person.