13 Jan 2020

The government has published a summary of responses to the recent Environment Agency consultation on changes to the water company drought plan guideline (WC DPG) and the new and updated supplementary guidance. The EA will amend the guidance to: emphasise the need for water companies to engage with their customers as early as possible as […]

07 Jan 2020

The new government set out its priorities in the Queen’s Speech just before Christmas. Not much in the way of specifics, but the following paragraph will be of interest. “My Government will continue to take steps to meet the world-leading target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It will continue to lead the […]

17 Dec 2019

It was a momentous night and the 2019 election has produced a decisive result. Brexit with all its ramifications will proceed. The next Queen’s speech will come in the next few days (Thursday) – watch out for the Environment Bill & Fisheries Bill in particular. Pity to lose two strong environmentalists in Mary Creagh who […]

19 Nov 2019

Guardian ‘The Conservative party’s record on tackling the climate crisis has been condemned by leading scientists and former government advisers, as the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, warned that the forthcoming election was the last chance to halt the escalating emergency. Experts accused the Conservatives of copying rightwing politicians in the US by deliberately weakening environmental protections. Meanwhile, analysis […]

10 Jul 2019

The UK has legislated for net-zero emissions by 2050 – now the UK Government must show it is serious about its legal obligations to tackle and prepare for climate change, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) says today. UK action to curb greenhouse gas emissions is lagging far behind what is needed, even to meet […]

04 Jul 2019

Bob Earll      Each week in preparing Water News I scan the Defra website. This week this site is awash with individual regional calls for projects under two themes: Call for project’s promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management’ Call for project’s focusing on preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency’ This is […]

29 Nov 2017

In his 2017 Autumn Budget, Chancellor Philip Hammond pledged to build an economy “fit for the future” by announcing new air quality funding, tax incentives for electric cars, and measures to combat plastic waste. Hammond dedicated much more time to the green economy than previous Budget announcements; also covering off diesel tax, driverless vehicles and […]