Delay of Environment Bill a cold shoulder to nature’s recovery, says CPRE

Responding to the delay of the Environment Bill, Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said:

‘As the UK establishes its environmental status post-Brexit, the Environment Bill is crucial to halting the decline of nature, stemming the flow of plastic waste into our countryside, tackling air pollution and the climate emergency. The world is looking to the UK government for bold leadership as we prepare to host the international COP26 climate summit later this year. So, delaying the Environment Bill again is unacceptable. This government’s climate credentials are in danger of being characterised little more than hot air and warm words.

‘That’s why it’s crucial that Ministers step up and deliver policies to protect nature that aren't tied to the Bill, while ensuring this delay to the Bill is put to good use by working with NGOs to improve the quality of legislation. Introducing legally binding targets to prevent the decline in nature and ensuring the much-touted Office for Environmental Protections is empowered to legally enforce these targets would be a good start. This would show the UK government is serious about following through on commitments to the future of nature and our environment.’