LONDON (CU)_More than two years ago the Environment Bill was first introduced in the UK, with the aim of supporting the Government’s overarching vision for leaving nature in a better state for the next generation. However, the road to Royal assent was met with delays relating to the pandemic and Brexit and now after countless hours of drafting, protesting, debating and campaigning, the bill was finally passed into law this week.
Key provisions of the Act include the creation of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), forthcoming bans on selected single-use plastic items and a new ‘comply or explain’ mandate on deforestation for British businesses which import forest-risk commodities. Celebrating the momentous occasion, Environment Secretary George Eustice noted that the Act will deliver “the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth”, adding that it sets an example for the rest of the world to follow.
While the environmental activists who were at the heart of first pressing for the bill applauded the major achievement, they pointed also pointed to several limitations of the statute. Some of their critical concerns include, the lack of a legal duty on water firms to reduce discharges of raw sewage into rivers, and the vote by MPs to block amendments on greater provisions on ancient woodland protection and strengthening the independence of the OEP.
“From a historic legal commitment to restore UK nature by 2030 to laws tackling illegal deforestation and conversion in UK supply chains, this legislation holds great promise and we welcome its passage into law,” Katie White, WWF’s executive director of advocacy and campaigns, said. “However, for it to be worth the paper it’s printed on, the UK Government must support a truly independent Office of Environmental Protection, provide a clear target to slash the UK’s global environmental footprint and deliver robust measures outlawing both legal and illegal deforestation as soon as it possibly can.”
Accordingly, campaigners have vowed to fight on to ensure these concerns are addressed.
“The campaign to #EndSewagePollution is far from over. Our voices and our action meant the parliamentary vote on this was very close, with MPs from all parties voting in support of this legal duty on water companies. And whilst we lost the vote, this tight race will have sent a clear message to ministers that much more must be done,” Surfers Against Sewage, a Cornwall-based marine conservation charity said.
