Environment Archives

In Focus

Sustainable development goals and the impact of global conflict, extreme poverty and climate-related emergencies

Thursday, 10 October, 2024

The United Nations has said that escalating global conflicts and climate-related emergencies have substantially affected progress towards achieving the sustainable development goals. These issues have also reversed progress in tackling extreme poverty around the world. This article looks at these interlinked issues, as well as some of the recommendations by international bodies and UK government policy commitments seeking to address these challenges.
Research Briefing

Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 15(Rev) of 2024–25

Monday, 07 October, 2024

The Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill which would create a new requirement for public bodies specified in the bill to contribute towards meeting environmental targets established under the Climate Change Act 2008 and the Environment Act 2021. This would include requirements to contribute towards the UK’s target to meet net zero greenhouse gas emissions, improve the UK’s biodiversity and reduce pollution and waste.
In Focus

Farming and flood prevention

Friday, 04 October, 2024

Farmers can help flood prevention. In England, farmers can receive payments for carrying out farming activities that support flood preparedness. The government also provides financial support to farmers impacted by severe flooding. A new Flood Resilience Taskforce has been launched to coordinate flooding preparation, as well as a Rural Flood Resilience Partnership to help farmers and rural communities build resilience to future flooding.
Research Briefing

Water (Special Measures) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 17 of 2024–25

Thursday, 03 October, 2024

The Water (Special Measures) Bill [HL] is a government bill that would give regulators new powers to regulate the way private water companies operate in England and Wales. This includes the introduction of new penalties for water companies and the power to block executive bonuses. The bill would also make changes to the special administration regime for water companies to ensure the government and regulators were notified ahead of any winding up petitions.
In Focus

Electric vehicles strategy: Environment and Climate Change Committee report

Friday, 20 September, 2024

Ahead of a debate in the House of Lords on the report of the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee on electrical vehicles (EVs), this briefing summarises the recommendations of the report, the response to the report by the previous Conservative government, and the EVs policy of the current Labour government.
In Focus

Offshore wind energy

Wednesday, 04 September, 2024

The new Labour government has committed to the expansion of offshore wind energy. This commitment has been welcomed by the offshore energy industry and by environmental organisations. However, concerns remain about how these plans might be achieved in practice while maintaining and improving the marine environment. This briefing considers some of the potential obstacles to achieving the expansion in offshore wind.
In Focus

Protecting Atlantic salmon populations

Thursday, 15 August, 2024

In recent years, concerns have been raised about declining populations of Atlantic salmon, with work taking place to address this issue. This briefing provides a summary of this policy area. It has been prepared ahead of Lord Forsyth of Drumlean’s (Conservative) 12 September 2024 debate on what steps the government is taking to protect Atlantic salmon populations.
In Focus

Restoring 30% of England’s land and sea by 2030: House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee report

Friday, 09 August, 2024

In 2022, the Conservative UK government joined an international agreement committing it to restoring 30% of the UK’s land and sea by 2030. The new Labour government has also committed to this “30 by 30” target. In 2023, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee reported that the UK was not on course to meet this target and offered several recommendations to the government on how this could be addressed.
Research Briefing

Crown Estate Bill [HL]: HL Bill 5 of 2024–25

Tuesday, 06 August, 2024

The Crown Estate Bill [HL] is a government bill to widen the borrowing and investment powers of the Crown Estate. The government intends this will help speed up the development of offshore wind projects in seabed areas managed by the Crown Estate and deliver long-term financial returns to the taxpayer. It announced a partnership between the Crown Estate and Great British Energy on the same day it introduced the bill.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2024: Foreign affairs and international development

Friday, 12 July, 2024

Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering foreign affairs and international development for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2024: Energy security, net zero, environment and agriculture

Thursday, 11 July, 2024

Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering energy security, net zero, the environment and agriculture for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
In Focus

House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report: Impact of noise and light pollution on human health

Wednesday, 01 May, 2024

In July 2023 the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee published a report into the impact of noise and light pollution on human health. It found that while there is some evidence that both noise and light pollution are harmful to humans, there are significant gaps in research and understanding. This briefing looks at the definitions of noise and light pollution, current legislation and guidelines, and the committee’s report and subsequent government response.
Research Briefing

Commercial Organisations and Public Authorities Duty (Human Rights and Environment) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 17 of 2023–24

Monday, 29 April, 2024

The Commercial Organisations and Public Authorities Duty (Human Rights and Environment) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Young of Hornsey (Crossbench). It would place due diligence obligations concerning human rights and the environment on businesses and public sector bodies. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 10 May 2024.
Research Briefing

Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill: HL Bill 64 of 2023–24

Monday, 29 April, 2024

The Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative). It would provide for the extension of the maximum lease available to the Zoological Society of London for land in Regent’s Park used by London Zoo. The House of Commons has passed the bill and it has cross-party support. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 10 May 2024.
In Focus

UK-India relations: 2030 roadmap and future trade partnership

Wednesday, 03 April, 2024

The UK and India have a complex and multifaceted history. In recent years, their relationship has focused on political and economic cooperation. Both countries have agreed to a framework setting out future relations and are currently negotiating a free trade agreement. With India’s next general election scheduled to take place between April and June 2024, this briefing analyses the potential trajectory of UK-India relations.

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