Climate briefing petition reaches 100,000 signatures
In the last issue of the Voice we shared information about an online screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing. Over the past few months, screenings have been taking place across the country, as well as on Arran. Alongside the film, in May this year Chris Packham launched a petition to the government asking that the briefing be televised, and last month, the petition passed 100,000 signatures. Here the National Emergency Briefing team report:
Our petition passes 100,000
Thank you to the over 100,000 people who have demanded that the government stages a televised emergency briefing – introduced by the Prime Minister and delivered by independent experts. This triggers a Parliamentary debate. We are writing to Parliament asking for the debate to be prioritised after recess on 1st September. We think the PM should attend, along with the Secretaries of State at Defra and DESNZ – and that it should take place in the main House of Commons debating chamber, reserved for more important debates.
In the meantime, please help show that the public is serious about the need for action by continuing to share the petition. Once the debate date is published, we will need to ensure as many MPs attend as possible.
Sign the petition here: Sign the Petition
Our ask
We are calling for a wartime-scale response to the climate and nature crisis. The first step towards this is for government to level with the public by staging a prime-time, multi-channel televised national emergency briefing to the nation. Such a briefing would launch a major public engagement plan, combatting rising disinformation and securing support for the urgent action now needed.
Below is the status of the Petition as reported by Petitions: UK Parliament and UK Government
Open – Hold a UK-wide briefing on climate and nature risks
Created by Christopher Packham
Closes on 20 November 2026
The UK faces growing risks from climate and nature breakdown – from extreme weather to economic disruption and national security threats. Yet the public has never been given a clear national briefing on the scale of these risks. Government should hold an emergency briefing from leading experts.
These risks could have serious consequences across UK society, with threats to health and food supply – which could become irreversible if without urgent action. Many people are unclear how these risks may affect them, and information in the public domain is often misleading.
A credible national briefing from independent experts would give people clear, trusted guidance on what these risks mean in practice, and what we can do – both together and individually – to prepare and respond.
Petition progress
View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.
- 16 August 2026
This petition will be considered for debate in Parliament
This petition got more than 100,000 signatures meaning the Petitions Committee will consider it for debate in Parliament.
- 14 July 2026
Related activity
Preparedness for extreme heat: debate in Parliament
On 14 July, Adrian Ramsay MP led a Westminster Hall debate on preparedness for extreme heat.
For further information on this topic, see the research briefing from the House of Commons Library:
Is the UK prepared for heatwaves?
- 15 June 2026
Government responded to this petition
We recognise the growing risks from climate and nature breakdown, and are committed to speaking clearly about the scale of the crisis and providing reliable sources for information and advice. (For the full government response see the link here https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/767687)
- 21 May 2026
Government will respond to this petition
This petition got more than 10,000 signatures meaning that government will respond to it.
- 20 May 2026
Petition published
This petition can now be signed.
If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.
If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
This petition will stay open until 20 November 2026.
