Record breaking Ocean Rower turned MP vows to lead new Climate and Nature Law

Photo credit: Kristian Lam-Clark / Zero Hour

Solo ocean rower and Lib Dem MP, Dr Roz Savage MBE, sets her sights on a new challenge—taking the Climate and Nature Bill through Parliament—and into law.

Thursday 10 October: Today, the only woman to have rowed solo across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, Roz Savage MP, announced that she will introduce the landmark Climate and Nature Bill in the House of Commons, having been drawn third in the coveted private members’ bill ballot.

 If enacted, Dr Savage’s CAN Bill will update the UK’s climate and environmental legislation in line with commitments that the Government has already made internationally—first, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with limiting global heating to 1.5°C—and second, to reverse nature loss by 2030.

Dr Roz Savage, the Lib Dem MP for South Cotswolds, who wants to have passed her Climate and Nature Bill by this time next year, said:  

“It’s a great honour to have been drawn third in the private members’ bill ballot, but it’s also been a huge challenge to choose the subject of my bill. My postbag and inbox have been bursting with hundreds of messages from constituents asking me to support important and worthwhile causes.

However, the largest number of letters urged me to champion the Climate and Nature Bill, which is also a subject dear to my heart, having been an environmental campaigner for the last twenty years, and having pledged my support for the CAN Bill back in April. Given that a great number of my constituents clearly care deeply about the climate and ecological crisis, as do I, my choice was clear. I am delighted to have this opportunity to potentially get the CAN Bill passed into law.

When rowing across the ocean, I came face to face with the immensity of the natural world—and the vulnerability of our human race. To stand the strongest chance of tackling the interconnected climate and ecological emergency, the UK needs a joined-up, science-led strategy. A bold, new, long-term plan to restore our depleted wildlife, and deliver the just transition we need. That means green jobs, clean air and rivers, cheaper bills, and a nature-rich UK.

I’m proud to be leading the campaign for the ‘CAN Act’ and I’m looking forward to working with MPs from across the Commons to pass this Bill, and put climate and nature at the centre of cross-government missions.”

Dr Savage’s announcement has been welcomed by the CAN Bill campaign, Zero Hour, which has almost 60,000 supporters across the UK; including Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, Dr Amir Khan GP, Liz Bonnin—and Labour donor, Dale Vince, and former net zero tsar, Chris Skidmore—who came out in support of the Bill at the Labour Party conference, urging the Government to enact this “Climate Change Act 2”.

Dr Amy McDonnell, co-director of Zero Hour (the campaign for the CAN Bill) said:

 “The Lib Dems, like the Greens, Plaid Cymru, Alliance and SDLP, have backed the CAN Bill to the hilt since 2020. The Labour Party supports the CAN Bill’s ambition and objectives, and 117 Labour MPs have declared their support for the aims of the Bill. Passing a Climate and Nature Act is the best way for the Government to demonstrate true global leadership and ‘walk the walk’ as the UK heads to the UN climate and nature summits—COP29 and COP16—this year.”

We’re absolutely thrilled to have Dr Roz Savage championing the CAN Bill. Dr Savage is a legendary environmental campaigner with incredible, world record breaking achievements; and as a UN Climate Hero, she understands how urgent the climate and nature crises are. Bold, fearless and principled, Dr Savage is the MP to spearhead the Bill’s progress in Parliament this autumn. We hope that her fellow MPs will seize this opportunity to support her and back the CAN Bill.”