House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
The Environment Bill
30 January 2020 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Proposed by Theresa Villiers Con Chipping Barnet
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- Theresa Villiers announces the introduction of the Environment Bill to address biodiversity loss and climate change.
- The Environment Bill will establish legally binding targets in areas such as air quality and nature conservation.
- The bill includes provisions for waste reduction, food waste collections, improved water management, and chemical regulation post-Brexit.
Issue summary
Theresa Villiers announces the introduction of the Environment Bill, aimed at addressing biodiversity loss and climate change through comprehensive environmental governance and policy measures.
Action requested
The government is introducing the Environment Bill to establish a new system of green governance, set legally binding targets in priority areas like air quality and nature, introduce waste reduction schemes, mandate food waste collections, enhance water management, support biodiversity net gain, and regulate chemicals post-Brexit. The bill aims to deliver significant long-term environmental improvement and protect future generations.
Key facts
- Environment Bill introduced on 15 October 2019.
- Establishes an Office for Environmental Protection as an environmental watchdog.
- Sets legally binding targets in four priority areas: air quality, waste and resource efficiency, water, and nature.
- Powers to ban the export of polluting plastic waste to non-OECD countries after consultation.
- Supports a mandatory biodiversity net gain for new developments.
- Extends half of all measures beyond England to Devolved Administrations.