10 Jul 2024

Over at the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband sets out his priorities for the department. These are: delivering our mission to boost energy independence and cutting bills through clean power by 2030 taking back control of our energy with Great British Energy upgrading Britain’s homes and cutting fuel poverty […]

03 Jul 2024

The Labour Party manifesto doesn’t say much about water, but it does include Putting water companies into ‘special measures’. Although there is no detail on what these measures might be, they could include Giving new powers to regulators to block water bosses’ bonuses for pollution Introducing criminal charges for persistent law-breaking and automatic fines for […]

26 Jun 2024

The Environmental Policy Forum, which represents over 110,000 qualified professionals across a wide range of different specialised disciplines including engineering, ecology, environmental sciences, water, forestry, fisheries, environmental management, health, and resource and land management, has identified three cross-cutting and seven thematic priorities for the next government are. Cross-cutting priorities Improve environmental governance to ensure effective […]

19 Jun 2024

With all the main parties having now published their manifestos, what are the priorities and what do they have to say about water regulation, industry reform? Labour Put water companies into ‘special measures’. Although there is no detail on what these measures might be, they could include Giving new powers to regulators to block water […]

19 Jun 2024

Having created a watchdog for the environment, the government took its teeth out and muzzled it. Can public outrage rouse the Environment Agency to action? Useful article from The Guardian, highlighting how government has gradually weakened and undermined the environmental regulator for England., including subsuming its independent website into Defra’s.

29 May 2024

The government has published a list of over 140 wastewater treatment works legally required to be upgraded to stringent nutrient removal limits. The requirement to deliver nutrient neutrality will enable the construction of thousands of homes and improve aquatic ecosystems. Water companies have a duty to ensure wastewater treatment works serving a population equivalent over […]

22 May 2024

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) is undertaking an inquiry into the interaction of climate change and security issues and the UK Government’s approach to anticipating, preventing, and responding to the security threats posed by climate change. Last week, the EAC heard evidence exploring the link between climate change and security in the first evidence session […]

22 May 2024

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has published its proposed methodology for the Fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment – Independent Assessment (CCRA4-IA). This independent assessment will be delivered in 2026 and will provide an updated assessment of the risks and opportunities from climate change and the potential for adaptation to address them. This will be published alongside […]