Science & Environment Archives

In Focus

Built Environment Committee report: Impact of environmental regulations on development

Wednesday, 27 March, 2024

The government has committed to increase house building and improve the UK’s infrastructure while also protecting and improving the natural environment. The balance between these two objectives has been considered by the House of Lords Built Environment Committee in a report on the impact of environmental regulations on development. This article summarises the committee’s conclusions and the government’s response ahead of a House of Lords debate on the report.
In Focus

Horticultural Sector Committee report: ‘Sowing the seeds: A blooming English horticultural sector’

Wednesday, 27 March, 2024

In a report published in November 2023 the House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee highlighted the importance of the horticultural sector to the UK. The report detailed impacts of the sector on the economy, food supply, wellbeing and net zero ambitions. However, it said the industry faced a number of challenges and was not being given the attention or support it deserved. The committee’s report listed 93 recommendations for the government to help the sector meet these challenges and realise its potential.
Research Briefing

Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 11 of 2023–24

Monday, 18 March, 2024

The Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill proposed by Lord Holmes of Richmond (Conservative), which would introduce a new body, the AI Authority, which would have various functions designed to help address AI regulation in the UK. It would also put regulatory principles for artificial intelligence into law.
- Research Briefing
- Science & Technology
Research Briefing

Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill: HL Bill 49 of 2023–24

Thursday, 29 February, 2024

The Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill was announced as part of the King’s Speech on 7 November 2023. The bill would mandate that the oil and gas regulator hold annual licensing rounds for offshore petroleum production, subject to two tests being met.
In Focus

‘Undergrounding’ electrical transmission cables

Tuesday, 20 February, 2024

There are 4,500 miles of overhead electricity transmission lines in England and Wales. This contrasts with just over 900 miles of underground cables. ‘Undergrounding’, the replacement of overhead cables with underground cables, is used in limited circumstances, such as in nationally designated landscapes. There have been calls for an increase in undergrounding. However, the government has pointed to several issues, including the higher cost of underground cables.
In Focus

River pollution and the regulation of private water companies

Monday, 19 February, 2024

Only 14% of rivers in England have a good ecological status and none have a good chemical status. Agriculture, wastewater and diffuse urban pollution are the main sources of pollution affecting water bodies in England. In recent years, the failure of water companies to prevent sewage discharges has attracted attention, and questions have been asked about whether the government and bodies such as Ofwat and the Environment Agency are doing enough to regulate water companies and enforce environmental law.
In Focus

Water and sewage companies: Executive remuneration

Friday, 16 February, 2024

Following concern over several issues including pollution and poor customer service, the remuneration of senior executives in the water industry has come under scrutiny. Ofwat, the economic regulator of the sector, has announced tighter measures on water company executive bonuses when they have not been sufficiently earned. Ofwat is also to consult on measures to ban water company executives from receiving bonuses if a company has committed serious criminal breaches.
- In Focus
- Environment
In Focus

Home is where the heat is: Energy efficiency and home insulation

Wednesday, 14 February, 2024

The government has committed to improving the energy efficiency of domestic properties, including by providing support to help households to insulate their homes. This briefing considers the government’s recent announcements concerning improving home insulation.
- In Focus
- Energy
- Environment
- Housing
In Focus

New licensing for pet primates

Friday, 09 February, 2024

Thousands of primates are being kept as pets in the UK. The government is legislating to introduce licensing and higher welfare standards to end primates being kept in low welfare domestic environments. This briefing looks at the issue and the legislation.
- In Focus
- Environment
In Focus

Digital exclusion in the UK: Communications and Digital Committee report

Tuesday, 30 January, 2024

In 2023, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee published a report on digital exclusion in which it called for the government to devise a new strategy and create a dedicated unit to address the issue. The committee argued the government’s approach lacked ambition. The government has said the issue is a priority and has established a dedicated ministerial group.
Research Briefing

Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill: HL Bill 39 of 2023–24

Monday, 22 January, 2024

The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill would end the export of certain animals for fattening and slaughter from and through England, Wales and Scotland. Campaigns have highlighted the suffering of animals on long journeys, and it is a government manifesto commitment to end the practice. The bill passed through the House of Commons unamended. The second reading of the bill in the House of Lords is scheduled to take place on 21 February 2024.
- Research Briefing
- Agriculture & Farming
In Focus

Environmental land management: Recent changes to the sustainable farming incentive and countryside stewardship schemes

Thursday, 18 January, 2024

The government is part way through the implementation of the environmental land management scheme in England. This replaces the system of financial support established during the UK’s membership of the EU common agricultural policy. This briefing considers how this scheme has been implemented, including recently announced changes. It also considers how support for biodiversity and the control of certain invasive species is provided through the environmental land management scheme.
In Focus

The 1.5-degree celsius global warming threshold: Could it be breached in 2024?

Friday, 12 January, 2024

At the 2015 UN climate change conference, the international community agreed to make efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels. Since then, global temperatures have continued to rise, with record-breaking temperatures in 2023. The UK’s Met Office has projected that 2024 could be even warmer, with the 1.5-degree threshold temporarily exceeded. This briefing summarises the background to the 1.5-degree threshold, and what actions the UK government is taking to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
In Focus

UK contribution to international development: Mitigating the impact of climate change on developing nations

Friday, 22 December, 2023

The UK government spent £12.79bn in official development assistance in 2022. A portion of this support was focused on mitigating the impact of climate change on developing countries, including through measures outlined in the government’s international development white paper and through contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s green climate fund. However, some stakeholders have called on the government to provide further support, particularly in relation to its spending commitments.
Research Briefing

Data Protection and Digital Information Bill: HL Bill 30 of 2023–24

Wednesday, 13 December, 2023

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill would amend existing data protection legislation and introduce new provisions in areas such as digital verification services and smart data. The bill was carried over from the last session and is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 19 December 2023.

Total results (page 4 of 26)