Asked by
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held
with representatives of environmental organisations about the
environmental aspects of government trade policy.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs () (Con)
My Lords, the Government have met regularly with a range of
environmental organisations throughout the development of trade
policy via advisory groups, ministerial round tables and
individual meetings with industry bodies, regulators and think
tanks. More trade should not come at the expense of the
environment. Instead, trade policy can support clean growth and
environmental innovation. We remain firmly committed to upholding
our high environmental standards and will continue to talk to
environmental groups throughout trade negotiations.
(Lab)
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply, but the
Government’s recent pronouncements, particularly by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, seem to move away from trade with
Europe towards trade with countries much further away
geographically. As far as trade in goods is concerned, that is
bound to mean more air miles and more fuel-consuming, polluting
ocean voyages. Does the Minister not agree that it makes
environmental sense to trade more with our nearest neighbours in
the future and not less? What environmental assessment of this
have the Government made and will he share it with Parliament?
My Lords, I will have to write to the noble Baroness about any
assessment. But I can say—this is really important—that we in
this country believe that we have enormous potential for
low-carbon exports of goods and services, which we have estimated
to be between £60 billion and £170 billion by 2030. As I said in
my earlier Answer, we can have more trade, but it needs to be
through the prism of a low-carbon, circular economy. That is what
we seek to do. Yes, we want a substantial and positive free-trade
negotiation with our friends and partners in the EU, but we also
think that, given the dynamic of our economy and that our
low-carbon economy is increasing, there is merit in having trade
negotiations in parallel with other parts of the world. We should
see that as positive for the environment.
(LD)
My Lords, as the Minister will know, this weekend a pioneering
citizens’ assembly will start work, supported by six Select
Committees. What steps will be taken to ensure that its work in
examining the measures necessary to achieve net zero-carbon
emissions will be properly monitored by the Government,
particularly by those Ministers responsible for the very
important forthcoming trade negotiations?
Clearly Defra, BEIS and the Department for International Trade
have very strong collaborative working. It is absolutely
essential that we recognise the climate emergency and the need to
enhance the environment. The environment Bill, which will
eventually come to your Lordships’ House, will propose the
establishment of the office for environmental protection; this
will be an independent means of holding public authorities in
this country to account to ensure that binding targets and so
forth are adhered to. We should be very positive about what we
are seeking to do in this country—we are one of the
highest-ranking countries for both environmental and climate
change performance.
(CB)
My Lords, it was reported in the papers two or three weeks ago
that the European Union is considering a proposal to impose
tariffs or restrictions on trade with countries that do not meet
their Paris INDCs. Does the Minister think that, particularly
ahead of the COP 26 in Glasgow this year, the UK, as part of its
contributions to the global reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions, might consider a similar measure in thinking of new
trade relationships?
My Lords, this is an area that we obviously all need to consider
globally. It is interesting that our country is ranked seventh
out of 61 countries on the climate change performance index, in
comparison with the EU 28, which is ranked 22nd. We should be
very clear about our direction of travel. We reduced emissions by
40% between 1990 and 2018, yet the economy has grown by 75% in
that period.
(Con)
My Lords, I understand the concern but, when it comes to the
influence of energy and climate on trade, has not the European
Union energy market and energy policy so far led, regrettably, to
more coal-burning and an increase in the use of Russian gas? Are
those the kind of levels that we want to stay down at? Surely
not.
My noble friend has probably given part of the reason why we are
at our current position and the EU 28 is 22nd. It is because we
are one of the most successful low-carbon economies—in fact, we
are the most successful in the G7. That is the direction of
travel which I think will see our country become ever more
prosperous.
(Lab)
My Lords, following on from the question of the noble Lord,
, what conditions relating
to the low-carbon economy will Her Majesty’s Government impose in
any trade deal with the United States of America?
We will obviously want to retain all our environmental
standards—our food safety and other standards—both in our own
production and in that coming via imports, because we want to be
one of the world-leading countries with a successful green
economy. Clearly, we will not compromise on those standards in
our trade negotiations.
(LD)
My Lords, the Minister will be very aware of biosecurity—I
welcome his work in this area—the absence of which could be one
of the greatest threats to our environment and our future
biodiversity. One area of concern is ballast water for ships on
international trade. In 2017, the International Maritime
Organization greatly tightened up the regulations governing
ballast water, yet I understand that the Department for Transport
has not put any resource into implementing that decision. Will
the Minister have a word with his DfT colleagues and make sure
that this happens?
The noble Lord hits on an important part of what we need to do.
We are working on this; I have already had discussions with the
Department for Transport, and I will continue to do so. We are
very clear about the importance of this issue. One of the chief
areas I am concerned about is invasive species, which is one of
the key five environmental problems. What the noble Lord has said
is extremely helpful.
(Lab)
My Lords, the Government have said repeatedly that they do not
intend to water down the UK’s high environmental, welfare and
food safety standards. It is a mantra that we all understand but,
of course, the President of the United States and others have
different views on all this. We need more certainty. Can the
Minister clarify which Bill will be used specifically to confirm
that commitment, and what is the timetable for putting it on the
statute book? We need that certainty.
My Lords, as has been said, the Trade Bill is coming back before
Parliament in this Session; that will be the opportunity for
Parliament to give due consideration to this issue. It is
important, as I have said and will continue to say, and your
Lordships will perhaps not have to wait long to see the bona
fides of what we have been saying: we have a good reputation and
we want to enhance it. That is what is really important and in
the national interest. We can be ever more prosperous by being a
leading beacon for a low-carbon economy.
(Lab)
My Lords, can the Minister tell us when we will provide shore
power for merchant ships and ferries which are involved in trade
with our nation? This would have huge environmental benefits for
us, rather than leaving them running their diesel generators when
alongside.
On transport statistics, again, this is an area where we all need
to change the way we do things. We need to concentrate on
ensuring that there is greater infrastructure, research and
innovation. I will take this point back, because the maritime
industry, and perhaps even the Royal Navy, will need to consider
how to work together to ensure we get our net zero.
