Extra biodiversity commitment in amended Environment Bill

The government has strengthened its commitment to protect the environment with new amendments to the landmark Environment Bill that will see the UK build on its reputation as a global leader in conservation.

The Environment Bill will bring forward action to address environmental challenges including biodiversity loss, climate change, waste and pollution of the air, water and land.

Following work with parliamentarians and wider stakeholders, new amendments include strengthening the duty to set a legally-binding target to halt species decline by 2030.

The G7 has committed to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2030 and signed up to the global ‘30x30’ initiative to conserve or protect at least 30 per cent of the world’s land and at least 30 per cent of the world’s ocean by 2030.

New measures will also tackle storm overflows through a new requirement for water companies to monitor the water quality impacts of their sewage discharges and publish this information. This monitoring will drive action by water companies to reduce sewage discharges that do the most harm, to better protect the environment and public health. Water companies will also be required to publish near real-time information on when their storm overflows operate.

Separately, the government will undertake a review of legislation which would require Sustainable Drainage Systems to be constructed to ministerial standards on new developments, which would reduce the pressure on the sewage system. This type of “blue-green” infrastructure can deliver a number of benefits – it can prevent water entering foul sewers; reduce surface flooding; improve biodiversity, and improve associated carbon emissions.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “The Environment Bill is at the vanguard of our work to implement the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth. We have been clear about the need, and our intention, to halt the decline of our natural environment, and so we are strengthening our world-leading target to put this beyond doubt. It will be a challenging task, but halting this decline is a crucial part of our commitment to be the first generation to leave our environment in a better state. Our new package of measures on storm overflows will help crack down on the pollution in our rivers, waterways and coastlines, to better tackle the harm that they cause.”