ONLY one MP in Oxfordshire is backing a climate and emergency bill declaring 'zero hour' for the local environment.

Following the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report on Monday, which the United Nations has described as a 'code red for humanity', campaigners in the county have turned up the heath on the Government to reach its declared carbon and nature commitments.

The Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill is a private members' bill drafted by leading scientists and sustainability experts as they argue that currently there is no robust Government legislation to tackle the climate emergency alongside the nature crisis.

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However, so far only Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran has declared her support for the Bill.

The Liberal Democrat MP commented: "The recent IPCC report is yet further proof that climate change is here and already affecting our communities, the economy and people's lives.

"The Prime Minister still cannot decide whether he cares about the climate or not, paying lip service to climate action while scrapping the Green Homes Grant that helped people cut emissions from their homes, and cutting incentives for buying new electric vehicles."

The Oxford Mail contacted all six MPs in the County, however, John Howell, MP for Henley, and Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, did not comment.

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The Bill requires the UK to take responsibility for its 'fair share' of greenhouse gas emissions, to actively restore biodiverse habitats, and to stop 'damaging' the natural world through the production, transportation and disposal of the goods consumed.

Explaining why he will not be backing the Bill, Wantage MP David Johnston said: "I have met with the CEE Bill Alliance to explain why I am not supporting the Bill.

"There are a few reasons for this – partly it began as an Extinction Rebellion creation that calls into question the 2050 net zero date, which experts are agreed is challenging enough to get to.

"Partly, it also fails to recognise what the Government is already doing, and partly because some of the suggestions are impractical."

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His concerns with the Bill were largely echoed by other Conservative MPs in Oxfordshire.

Celebrities such as Henley-based adventurer Ben Fogle, chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Radiohead's Thom Yorke, Springwatch's Gillian Burke and Blue Peter's former presenter, Konnie Huq are just a few of the growing number of celebrities who have backed the campaign.

A number of local authorities including Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and Henley Town Council have lent their support.