NORTHUMBERLAND Wildlife Trust is supporting calls for MPs to back immediate action for wildlife and climate change.

Vice-chairman of the trust Graham Gill joined more than 14,000 people from across the country, including wildlife trust supporters from other regions, schoolchildren, wildlife volunteers, farmers and councillors, urging MPs to secure new laws which will halt nature’s decline and secure the recovery of wildlife and natural areas across the UK.

The organisers of ‘The Time Is Now’ rally, held in London on Wednesday, are campaigning for the upcoming Environment Bill to include ambitious targets for wildlife and a legally-binding Nature Recovery Network.

It also calls on politicians to support measures aimed at achieving ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr Gill said: “We depend on the natural environment for everything: from agriculture, to work and leisure.

“We need to step up now and take care of the planet that has taken care of our every need throughout human existence.

“For something to be done in time we need our politicians to listen up and take immediate action to halt climate change.”

Hexham’s MP Guy Opperman said the pensions industry was uniquely placed to help.

“As pensions minister I am championing innovative pension investment as one way we can make a difference on climate change – it may not sound exciting, but it is the kind of policy which can have a huge impact.

“A first step is the new regulations we are putting in place in October, which will help to direct investors towards more environmentally friendly funds, which will give consumers more opportunity for green investments.”