Environmental Policies
#5Key Findings
As a strong voice for environmental protection, the United Kingdom falls into the top ranks internationally (rank 5) for its environmental policies. Its score on this measure has improved by 1.0 point relative to its 2014 level.
The country’s withdrawal from the European Union has forced it to develop a new environmental framework, enshrined in the ambitious Environment Act 2021. This includes a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with an emissions reduction of 78% compared to 1990 levels by 2035. An independent new Office for Environmental Protection will report regularly on progress.
The new act sets clear statutory targets in the areas of air quality, biodiversity, water and waste. Offshore wind power has been the largest focus for renewable energy, but nuclear energy has also been considered. New measures to curb the use of plastics, including a plastics tax, are planned. Public opposition has largely halted a move toward more fracking.
The country has played a prominent role in recent climate negotiations, hosting the COP26 event in Glasgow.
The country’s withdrawal from the European Union has forced it to develop a new environmental framework, enshrined in the ambitious Environment Act 2021. This includes a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with an emissions reduction of 78% compared to 1990 levels by 2035. An independent new Office for Environmental Protection will report regularly on progress.
The new act sets clear statutory targets in the areas of air quality, biodiversity, water and waste. Offshore wind power has been the largest focus for renewable energy, but nuclear energy has also been considered. New measures to curb the use of plastics, including a plastics tax, are planned. Public opposition has largely halted a move toward more fracking.
The country has played a prominent role in recent climate negotiations, hosting the COP26 event in Glasgow.
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How effectively does environmental policy in your country protect and preserve the sustainability of natural resources and environmental quality?
10
9
9
Environmental policy goals are ambitious and effectively implemented as well as monitored within and across most relevant policy sectors that account for the largest share of resource use and emissions.
8
7
6
7
6
Environmental policy goals are mainly ambitious and effectively implemented and are monitored within and across some of the relevant policy sectors that account for the largest share of resource use and emissions.
5
4
3
4
3
Environmental policy goals are neither particularly ambitious nor are they effectively implemented and coordinated across relevant policy sectors.
2
1
1
Environmental concerns have been largely abandoned.
Environmental goals have been espoused by successive Conservative-led governments and, despite objections from some members of parliament on the right of the party, there has been a concerted effort to shift the United Kingdom toward renewable energy. Off-shore wind power has been the main component, but the approach also includes construction of new nuclear reactors, although recent re-assessments of the commercial viability of nuclear energy may prevent it happening. The coalition government (2010 – 2015) set itself the goal of becoming “the greenest government ever,” and its Conservative successor governments have not noticeably changed tack. However, worries about the cost of living led the government to suspend automatic increases in fuel duties for seven years in succession, and there have been rumblings of discontent over the 2008 Climate Change Act, which forms the legislative foundation for climate change policies. The Johnson government has put renewed and broader emphasis on environmental protection.
Having left the European Union, the United Kingdom has had to replace environmental regulations such as the Water Framework Directive and the Biodiversity Agenda. The Environment Act 2021 is regarded by many as a landmark piece of legislation. For example, Tony Juniper, a seasoned campaigner of green policies, described it as “the most ground-breaking piece of environmental legislation in many years,” noting that it sets “clear statutory targets for the recovery of the natural world in four priority areas: air quality, biodiversity, water and waste, and includes an important new target to reverse the decline in species abundance by the end of 2030.”
The act enshrines in law a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the aim to cut emissions by 78% by 2035 compared with 1990 levels. It establishes in law five principles, which are expected to advance the aims of the 25-year Environmental Plan initially put forward in 2018 (these are integration of environmental protection into policymaking, prevention, rectification at source, polluter pays and precautionary), and the need for all government ministers to consider them when making policy. In addition, it will set up the independent Office for Environmental Protection, which will report regularly on progress.
While some divergence from EU regulations could occur, there is little reason to believe that the United Kingdom will renege on big issues, such as the Paris Climate Accord. In November 2021, the UK government hosted the COP26 climate negotiations, which provided an opportunity to point out ambitious UK environmental goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990.
Citations:
https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2021/11/23/the-environment-act-2021-a-turning-point-for-nature/
Having left the European Union, the United Kingdom has had to replace environmental regulations such as the Water Framework Directive and the Biodiversity Agenda. The Environment Act 2021 is regarded by many as a landmark piece of legislation. For example, Tony Juniper, a seasoned campaigner of green policies, described it as “the most ground-breaking piece of environmental legislation in many years,” noting that it sets “clear statutory targets for the recovery of the natural world in four priority areas: air quality, biodiversity, water and waste, and includes an important new target to reverse the decline in species abundance by the end of 2030.”
The act enshrines in law a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the aim to cut emissions by 78% by 2035 compared with 1990 levels. It establishes in law five principles, which are expected to advance the aims of the 25-year Environmental Plan initially put forward in 2018 (these are integration of environmental protection into policymaking, prevention, rectification at source, polluter pays and precautionary), and the need for all government ministers to consider them when making policy. In addition, it will set up the independent Office for Environmental Protection, which will report regularly on progress.
While some divergence from EU regulations could occur, there is little reason to believe that the United Kingdom will renege on big issues, such as the Paris Climate Accord. In November 2021, the UK government hosted the COP26 climate negotiations, which provided an opportunity to point out ambitious UK environmental goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990.
Citations:
https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2021/11/23/the-environment-act-2021-a-turning-point-for-nature/
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To what extent does the government actively contribute to the design and advancement of global environmental protection regimes?
10
9
9
The government actively contributes to international efforts to design and advance global environmental protection regimes. In most cases, it demonstrates commitment to existing regimes, contributes to their being advanced and has introduced appropriate reforms.
8
7
6
7
6
The government contributes to international efforts to strengthen global environmental protection regimes. It demonstrates commitment to existing regimes and occasionally contributes to their being advanced and/or has introduced some appropriate reforms.
5
4
3
4
3
The government demonstrates commitment to existing regimes, but does not contribute to their being advanced and has not introduced appropriate reforms.
2
1
1
The government does not contribute to international efforts to strengthen global environmental protection regimes.
Under the Conservative governments of John Major (1990 – 1997), there was a policy shift and the United Kingdom became one of the foremost advocates of environmental protection standards among advanced nations. The United Kingdom ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Since then, successive governments have consistently pursued goals relating to environmental protection and the reduction of carbon emissions. Having previously encouraged fracking for natural gas, it now appears that public opposition to it has prevailed and it has all but ceased.
The United Kingdom ratified the Paris climate change deal at the Marrakech COP22 summit in November 2016 and continues to be in the mainstream of European opinion on these issues, and it welcomed the fact that the Biden administration rescinded the previous administration’s rejection of COP21. Following a large-scale public consultation, the government plans to introduce new measures to curb the use of plastics, including plans to introduce a plastics tax, which was announced in the October 2018 budget and arguably demonstrates international leadership. The international aid budget includes “clean energy” projects.
In November 2021, the United Kingdom hosted the COP26 climate negotiations in Glasgow, presenting itself as leading voice on the global stage. In doing so, it was able to point to its own actions aimed at arriving sooner than most at “net zero.” The difficult negotiations with the 196 nations participating, however, led to mixed results with agreements in some areas, but not enough to meet the goal set in the Paris Climate Accord.
Citations:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/13/cop26-the-goal-of-15c-of-climate-heating-is-alive-but-only-just
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/752202/Budget_2018_red_web.pdf (see page 48)
The United Kingdom ratified the Paris climate change deal at the Marrakech COP22 summit in November 2016 and continues to be in the mainstream of European opinion on these issues, and it welcomed the fact that the Biden administration rescinded the previous administration’s rejection of COP21. Following a large-scale public consultation, the government plans to introduce new measures to curb the use of plastics, including plans to introduce a plastics tax, which was announced in the October 2018 budget and arguably demonstrates international leadership. The international aid budget includes “clean energy” projects.
In November 2021, the United Kingdom hosted the COP26 climate negotiations in Glasgow, presenting itself as leading voice on the global stage. In doing so, it was able to point to its own actions aimed at arriving sooner than most at “net zero.” The difficult negotiations with the 196 nations participating, however, led to mixed results with agreements in some areas, but not enough to meet the goal set in the Paris Climate Accord.
Citations:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/13/cop26-the-goal-of-15c-of-climate-heating-is-alive-but-only-just
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/752202/Budget_2018_red_web.pdf (see page 48)