Environment Bill returns to Parliament

The government has said that the speedy return of the Environment Bill to Parliament following the General Election underlines the government’s commitment to tackling climate change.

For the first time, the enhanced Bill will create new powers to stop the exports of polluting plastic waste to developing countries, which could prevent harmful waste from being shipped out of sight whilst boosting the UK’s domestic recycling system.

More locally, the legislation will enshrine environmental principles in law and introduce measures to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore habitats so plants and wildlife can thrive. This will ensure that local authorities have a clear framework for tackling air pollution and simple to use powers to address pollution in their areas.

Included in December’s Queen’s Speech, the Bill will ensure that this government, and ant future government, is held to account if they fail to uphold their environmental duties, including meeting net-zero by 2050. Furthermore, ministers will conduct a review every two years of significant developments in international legislation on the environment.

Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said: “We are facing climate change and our precious natural environment is under threat. We need to take decisive action. We have set out our pitch to be a world leader on the environment as we leave the EU and the Environment Bill is a crucial part of achieving this aim. It sets a gold standard for improving air quality, protecting nature, increasing recycling and cutting down on plastic waste.

“This will build on the UK’s strong track record as the first major economy to commit to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and will drive further action in this super year for the environment, culminating in the UK welcoming the world to the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in November in Glasgow.”