The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has welcomed the publication today of the Environment Bill, following its inclusion in the Queen’s Speech yesterday (14th October 2019).
At an overarching level, the Bill, which runs to 244 pages, sets out a framework for future environmental ambition and accountability and puts the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan on a statutory footing. It includes proposals to create an Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) that will provide a governance and enforcement framework to replace that currently provided by the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union. It also seeks to ensure that key environmental principles enshrined in various international agreements, EU Treaties and environmental legislation have a legal standing and continue to underpin environmental law and policy-making in England for devolved issues and UK-wide for reserved matters.
The full news story can be viewed via the CIWM website