Environment Bill resumes passage through Parliament

Defra The landmark and world-leading legislation which will transform how we protect and enhance our environment has returned to Parliament.  The Bill sets out a comprehensive and world-leading vision to allow our environment to prosper for future generations and ensure that we maintain and enhance our environmental protections. The government’s landmark legislation to transform our environment has returned to Parliament today (Tuesday, 3 November) after a pause due to the coronavirus outbreak.  The Environment Bill sets out a comprehensive and world-leading vision to allow our environment to prosper for future generations and ensure that we maintain and enhance our environmental protections.   A key vehicle for delivering the bold vision set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan, the Bill will enhance wildlife, tackle air pollution, transform how we manage our resources and waste, and improve the resilience of water supplies in a changing climate to ensure we protect and restore the natural environment.

Welcoming the Environment Bill back to Parliament, Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:

‘Protecting and enhancing our environment is a priority for this Government, especially as we strive to build back greener from the coronavirus pandemic. The Environment Bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation for a generation, and it’s essential that we complete its passage into law as soon as possible so that we can continue our work to transform society and improve our air, water and nature.  Legally binding targets will be introduced for air quality, nature, water and resource and waste efficiency, and a new, independent Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) will be created to hold government and public bodies to account for their environmental credentials. The Office’s enforcement powers will cover all climate change legislation and hold the government to account on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. By also championing nature-based solutions, the Bill demonstrates our commitment to tackle climate change.’ Click here to read more

Green Alliance: Why the Environment Bill must come back with a bang not a whimper

With the long-awaited Environment Bill returning to parliament next week, Green Alliance’s Ruth Chambers sets out what Parliament’s priorities should be. After a lengthy delay of more than six months, the Environment Bill will make a welcome return to parliament on 3 November.

The Environment Bill is set to resume its passage in parliament after MPs return from recess on 3 November, with the Committee expected to conclude its scrutiny on 1 December. The government has proposed several amendments to the bill, including some that would undermine the independence of the new watchdog, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) as featured in this BBC article. We are working with Greener UK and Link partners to brief committee members – all briefings will be available here.  Given the ongoing delays to the bill, it will not receive Royal Assent by the end of the transition period resulting in a concerning governance gap.  We have written to the Secretary of State about the interim arrangements, and our concerns have been echoed by the environmental select committees and in parliamentary questions.

Wildlife & Countryside Link ‘After a delay of over 200 days, the Environment Bill returns to the Commons on 3 November. We look forward to working with Greener UK to ensure the Bill fulfils its full potential. Over the next few weeks, as the Bill resumes its passage through Committee stage, we will be pressing for a number of key amendments to strengthen the Bill, including a state of nature target to commit the Government to act swiftly to reverse the decline of nature. A new Government amendment, giving Ministers power to advise the new Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) on how it will be able to enforce environmental law, is of real concern. We will make a strong case for guaranteeing the OEP the independence it needs to effectively do its job as a green watchdog. There is lots of work to do to shape the Bill to meet the needs of the environment, and to ensure it rises to the challenge of this critical moment for nature. All hands on deck!’