Environment Bill passes second reading by MPs unopposed and will now progress to Committee stage.
The Government’s landmark Environment Bill to tackle the “biggest environmental priorities of our time” has moved a step closer to becoming law following its second reading by MPs (Monday 28 October).
After the debate, the Bill now progress to the Committee stage for further scrutiny and onto the next stages of the Parliamentary process for becoming law.
The Environment Bill aims to ensure that England maintains and improves its environmental protections as the UK leaves the EU.
Environmental principles will be enshrined in law and measures will be introduced to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore habitats so plants and wildlife can thrive.
It aims to set out a “comprehensive and world-leading vision” to allow future generations to prosper.
Environmental principles will be enshrined in law and measures will be introduced to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore habitats so plants and wildlife can thrive.
Legislation will also create legally-binding environmental improvement targets. A new independent Office for Environmental Protection will be established to scrutinise environmental policy and law, investigate complaints and take enforcement action against public authorities, if necessary, to uphold our environmental standards.
The office’s powers will cover all climate change legislation and hold the government to account on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.