A TOTAL of 104 councils across the UK have pledged to support a new climate and nature bill.

The Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) bill was tabled by MPs in June but is scheduled for its second reading in the House of Commons in September.

This coincides with the lead up to the international climate conference COP26 taking place in Glasgow from October to November 2021.

Brighton and Hove City Council is among those in support of the new law.

Council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty, said: “We are proud to be among many supporting the bill, which is urgently needed to reverse the devastating emergency we are facing.

"Local councils are already showing they are some of the most persuasive and positive in taking action, which is why I have been at the forefront of arguing that councils and local communities must have a seat at the table at COP26.

“Here in Brighton and Hove we are working on progressing actions to mitigate the climate and ecological emergency – from rewilding Waterhall golf course to insulating all of our council house stock, planting thousands of trees to UN accredited climate change teachers – it’s now the time for the government to put its money where its mouth is.”

The bill provides a framework of overarching policy imperatives that recognise the responsibility to urgently reduce the UK’s entire emissions and ecological footprint.

The councils have passed motions in favour of encouraging Westminster politicians to pass the CEE bill and for it to become law.

Cross-party councillors from all major parties have worked to persuade their colleagues to take appropriate action on the climate and ecological emergency.

Zero Hour, the campaign behind the CEE Bill, was previously called the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill Alliance.

In a statement Zero Hour said: "We are calling on everyone to join the campaign, for supporters to get in touch with their local group, and for MPs to support the bill by attending the debate on September 21 when it will be heard at second reading."

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.