The UK government has introduced a landmark bill in Parliament to deal with biggest environmental issues signaling a historic step change to protect and enhance the precious natural environment. The Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said that our natural environment is a vital shared resource and the need to act responsible and to secure it for generations to come is clear to the government.
In the Queen’s Speech the bill was introduced as a step to improve air quality by fighting pollution so children and young people can live longer and healthier lives. The bill will ensure the environment is at the heart of all government policy making and thus improves, restores and enhances nature through ‘biodiversity net gain’ by transforming the way waste is managed and the precious water resources are protected.
For Environmental Protection, a new independent Office will be established to scrutinize environmental policy and law, investigate complaints and if necessary take enforcement action against public authorities to uphold the environmental standards. The power of the office will cover all climate change legislation and hold the government to account on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Bill demonstrates commitment to tackle climate change by championing nature-based solutions.
The bill with its bold ambition goes beyond the key government commitments that were outlined earlier this year. It also introduces charges for a number of single use plastic items. It will build on the success of the government’s 5p plastic bag charge that cut sales from the biggest supermarkets by 90% since 2015.