Government 's Environmental Bill receives Royal Assent

The government 's Environmental Bill - a piece of post-Brexit legislation to lead the UK 's approach to environmental governance - has been granted Royal Assent.

The Bill was introduced in a bid to support the government 's “overarching vision ” for leaving nature in a better state for the next generation, and to confirm the UK 's approach to environmental governance post-Brexit.

It will drive environmental improvements at a local authority and public sector level through targets, plans and policies on improving the natural environment, including waste and resource efficiency, air quality, water, and nature and biodiversity.

There will be long-term legally binding targets, proposed by late 2022.

The legislation will be enforced through the new Office for Environmental Protection, which will hold government and public bodies to account on environmental obligations.

It also includes the powers to recall vehicles and non-road mobile machinery, that do not meet environmental standards.

The Bill mandates legally binding environmental targets for the Government and local authorities and aims to deliver:

• Long term targets to improve biodiversity, waster, air quality and waste reduction and resource efficiency and ambient PM2.5 pollution
• Stopping UK species decline by 2030

Some key provisions in the Bill include:

• Net Gain of 10 per cent biodiversity on developments; large UK businesses prohibited from using commodities associated with deforestation; regulated businesses must establish due diligence process within their commodity supply chain
• Extended producer responsibility, so producers pay for 100 per cent of disposal costs for products, starting with plastic packaging
• A ban or restrictions on export of waste to countries not in the OECD; a deposit return scheme on drinks containers that are single use

Will Hargreaves (pictured), policy advisor at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Environment Act is promising and details progressive changes for long-term environmental protection. Businesses that have high environmental performance may experience increased business opportunities with the public sector, as environmental credentials become more of a priority in public sector procurement to meet the Act 's requirements.

“As the long-term environmental targets are being set through consultations next year, there is an opportunity for businesses to engage in the conversation and share their experience to help shape targets that allow the environment and business to thrive. ”

The Chamber 's Sustainable Business Series campaign can help guide environmental progress for businesses.

The campaign features best practice videos, blogs, podcasts and webinars across many themes, including 'What does net zero mean for SMEs? ', and how to progress to a net zero business through energy, transport, circular economy and business management,

Will Hargreaves added: “The Sustainable Business Series campaign can support businesses to improve their environmental performance, which includes themes that overlap with the Environment Act.

“The campaign involved many experts that shared best practice on how to decarbonise business and the regional support available. ”

Find out more about the Environment Act here.

Find out more about the Sustainable Business Series here.