The Environment Bill allows for long-term targets to be set in respect of any matter which relates to the natural environment, or people’s enjoyment of it. It requires government to set at least one target in four priority areas: air quality, biodiversity, water, and resource efficiency and waste reduction, as well as a target for fine particulate matter. These targets need to be brought forward by 31 October 2022. Interim targets will be set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan, which will be reviewed at least every five years. The government will have to report annually on what it has done to implement the Environmental Improvement Plan and on whether the natural environment (or particular aspects of it) has improved. That report will also consider the progress that has been made towards meeting relevant targets. The new environmental watchdog, the Office for Environmental Protection, will also have to report annually on the progress that has been made in improving the natural environment in accordance with the Environmental Improvement Plan and on progress towards meeting targets.
This latest Defra policy paper on targets has three parts
- The process for developing targets under the Environment Bill Framework,
- Overview of the scope of targets that government is considering, and
- Sources of target information and how you can get involved.
See also CMS Water News