Key Facts

• The Environment Bill is critical to implementing the Government’s manifesto commitment on environmental issues.
• It provides powers to set targets for PM 2.5 air pollution.
• The Bill includes measures such as biodiversity net gain, conservation covenants, and provisions for managing air quality.
• The Environment Bill establishes an Office for Environmental Protection (OEP).
• Annual progress reports will be published on the environment improvement plans.
• Targets set by the OEP will be reviewed every five years.
• The Bill includes measures for enhanced producer responsibility and circular economy approaches.
• Powers are provided to establish deposit return schemes.
• The Environment Bill aims to address waste crime costing over £600 million annually.
• Part 4 focuses on air pollution with legally binding targets on particulate matter levels.
• Local authorities will gain greater capability to improve local environment and green spaces.
• Abstraction reforms in the Bill aim to strengthen licensing and modify water pollutants legislation.
• Landowners can agree conservation covenants to ensure ongoing stewardship.
• Developers must provide a 10% increase for nature in new developments.
• Clause 19 requires every Secretary of State to include a statement on new primary legislation's impact on existing levels of environmental protection.
• The Bill will implement a Government commitment to end plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries through consultations with industry and NGOs.
• Clause 20 mandates biennial reviews of significant international environmental legislation developments.
• The Environment Bill lacks pre-legislative scrutiny, coherence, and ambition.
• Pollard expresses concern over the possibility of lowering food standards due to post-Brexit trade deals.
• Labour wants dynamic alignment with EU environmental standards to avoid undercutting.
• No specific target for decarbonisation is included in the current version of the Bill.
• The British Heart Foundation estimates that air pollution could cause over 160,000 heart attacks and stroke deaths by 2030.
• DEFRA's study shows achieving WHO standards of 10 micrograms per cubic metre for particulate matter is possible by 2030.
• The Office for Environmental Protection needs a multi-annual budget settlement to ensure its independence.
• The Office of Environmental Protection (OEP) lacks teeth according to the MP.
• Clause 18 exempts military, national security, tax, spending, and resource allocation from environmental considerations.
• The Bill does not force water companies to address leakage issues.
• The Scottish Government’s environmental strategy was released recently.
• Scotland has around a third of the UK landmass but accounts for four fifths of tree planting in the UK.
• Charles Dundas, chair of Scottish Environment LINK, praised Scotland's bold vision for environmental protection.
• Rob Butler is paying tribute to his predecessor Sir David Lidington.
• Aylesbury can trace its history back to the iron age and has been a county town of Buckinghamshire for close to 500 years.
• HS2 is facing significant opposition from many residents due to environmental concerns, including destruction of over 100 ancient woodlands.
• The population of Aylesbury Vale has grown by 10% in the last five years and projections show a further 16,000 homes by 2033.
• The Environment Bill requires all development to be accompanied by a 10% net gain in biodiversity.
• The Environment Bill aims to tackle climate change but faces criticism for significant limitations.
• Local authorities have lost £300 million since 2010 due to Government-imposed cuts.
• Chester Zoo welcomes the Bill but is concerned about dilution or ignoring of biodiversity protections.
• The UK has £10.5 billion a year in support for fossil fuels, the biggest fossil fuel subsidies in the EU.
• Cherilyn Mackrory is newly elected MP for Truro and Falmouth.
• Sarah Newton is Mackrory's predecessor who has been an advocate for securing fairer funding for Cornwall.
• The Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro will receive a women and children’s facility along with £450 million for the NHS in Cornwall.
• The Environment Bill is a response to climate change and biodiversity collapse.
• The Committee on Climate Change set a target of 17% to 19% woodland cover for net zero emissions by 2050.
• 287 councils and eight combined authorities have declared a climate emergency.
• The Woodland Trust’s emergency tree plan proposes three key recommendations: protect existing trees, create new policies, and devolve more powers to local government.
• The northern forest initiative aims to plant 50 million trees over the next 25 years in the north of England.
• Air pollution levels are high in Runnymede and Weybridge.
• Motorways criss-cross the constituency.
• The area is under flightpaths contributing to pollution.