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techUK among leading groups calling for strengthened Environment Bill

Today techUK joins other leading groups to publish a shared view of how the Environment Bill can help put sustainability at the heart of our economic model.

Today techUK joins other leading business, environmental, academic and professional groups to publish a shared view of how the Government's planned Environment Bill can help 'put sustainability at the heart of our economic model'. That means enabling business to meet society's needs - for example for healthy food, housing, infrastructure, energy, products and services - in ways that are consistent with meeting the environmental challenges we face in the 21st century. 

The key is to get past the pattern of short term policymaking where policies are introduced late in the day once problems like marine plastic pollution or poor air quality have entrenched. That approach historically means that society and the government pick up the bill from a poor environment for example through the National Health Service, and businesses face high short term adjustment costs. Instead the Environment Act is the opportunity to set a clear and certain pathway as soon as possible that enables all sectors to plan, invest and collaborate towards a sustainable future and healthy environment. It will also enable all parts of government to work together better to ensure policies more coherently and consistently encourage good environmental management.  In this way the Bill can ensure the economy meets the environmental challenges ahead, for example contained in the Government's 25 year environment plan, in ways that go with the grain of doing successful business: driving innovation, aligning with business and investment cycles and creating opportunities for UK business as all nations face the same environmental and resource challenges in the decades ahead.

The Government published the first part of the Environment Bill in December 2018 including its plans for environmental principles, the Office for Environmental Protection and Environmental Improvement Plans. The assurances set out what's needed from the whole Bill due to be published later in the year. Important elements include setting clear and coherent long term direction, including through well designed environmental targets that command public and business legitimacy and ownership, clarifying where responsibilities lie as early as possible and using the Office for Environmental Protection to hold the government to account for ensuring policies are adequate for meeting environmental goals. While the need for the Environment Bill was triggered by the UK's decision to leave the EU, these shortcomings need resolution irrespective of Brexit.

The Broadway Initiative brings together a cross section of the main stakeholders and nationally recognised experts to generate ideas and proposals for world leading arrangements to govern the environment after EU exit.  The purpose is to advise all UK administrations on how to enable all parts of society to play their part in achieving long term objectives for the environment. See Broadway's Blueprint for an Environment Act for more background on the proposals contained in the assurances. Broadway Initiative members come from the worlds of business, NGOs, professional bodies, governance, policy making and academia. More information here.

At a recent meeting with the Broadway Initiative, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond said:

“Well-designed environmental standards are vital to sustainable economic growth and the wellbeing of people and our planet.

“That’s why I’m pleased to be meeting with NGOs and industry leaders today to work together to build sustainability into the heart of our economic model. We need to work with businesses to support jobs and growth in the clean economy as we continue to lead the world in tackling climate change.” 

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:

“We have committed to being the first generation to leave our environment in a better state than we found it. Through our landmark 25 Year Environment Plan and forthcoming Environment Bill – the first for more than 20 years – we are putting in place the foundations to make this a reality.

“But we recognise we cannot do this by acting alone. That’s why I’m thrilled to help bring together this impressive group to find the solutions which will enable us to deliver on our shared ambition.”

 

Channel website: http://www.techuk.org/

Original article link: https://www.techuk.org/insights/news/item/15441-techuk-among-leading-groups-calling-for-strengthened-environment-bill

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