Assurances Needed for Environment Act to Put Sustainability at the Heart of UK Economic Model

IEMA have been working with with leading bodies from business, environment and professional institutions to set out key assurances needed for an ambitious new Environment Act.

The groups, as part of the Broadway Initiative, have published the key assurances which set out the elements needed for a clear and coherent Environment Act that gives society strategic predictability on the long-term pathway for the environment, providing the basis for private and public sector investment in environmental improvement.

The Government published the first part of the Environment Bill in December 2018 including its plans for environmental principles, the Office for Environmental Protection and Environmental Improvement Plans. The assurances set out what’s needed from the whole Bill due to be published later in the year.

Important elements include setting clear and coherent long term direction, including through well designed environmental targets that command public and business legitimacy and ownership, clarifying where responsibilities lie as early as possible and using the Office for Environmental Protection to hold the government to account for ensuring policies are adequate for meeting environmental goals

Commenting on the launch of the assurances, Martin Baxter, IEMA’s Chief Policy Advisor, said:

It is vital that the UK sets long-term objectives for protecting and improving the environment as we leave the EU. The Environment Act is a one-off chance to create a coherent framework to put sustainability at the heart of our economic model and enable all parts of society to plan, invest and collaborate to substantially improve the environment on which we and future generations depend.

The assurances have received support from the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond.

More information on the Broadway Initiative.