UK environmental policy digest - March

Asim Ali, IEMA’s Public Affairs Officer, examines the UK Government's policy announcements from March and how they affect the goals of decarbonisation and environmental sustainability. This blog post is part of a monthly series that also reflects on the activity of relevant select committees and all-party parliamentary groups.

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The UK government has introduced a £7 million Community Green Spaces Fund to support rural communities in enhancing their natural environments. The fund aims to promote biodiversity and improve access to green spaces across England.

The UK and Bolivia have strengthened their cooperation on climate action and biodiversity conservation. Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to joint initiatives aimed at protecting Bolivia's forests and biodiversity.

Lloyds Banking Group has become the first organisation to contribute £250,000 through the government-backed Projects for Nature platform. This initiative marks a milestone in private sector engagement for nature recovery projects.

The UK government has issued an air quality plan for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), outlining directives to address roadside NO2 concentrations.

The UK government's third rural proofing report has been published. It focuses on enhancing the rural economy, improving connectivity, addressing housing and energy needs, and fostering vibrant rural communities.

The UK government is inviting feedback on proposals to introduce fairer food labelling requirements. This consultation seeks to enhance transparency and consistency in food labelling, empowering consumers to make informed choices about their food purchases. The consultation closes on 7th May.

Department of Energy Security and Net Zero

The UK Government has said that it has reached a milestone on its journey to net zero emissions, with provisional data indicating a 53% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2023. Key sectors such as electricity supply and housing have shown notable declines in emissions.

Applications for heat pump grants went up by 75% in February compared to the previous year. With grants of up to £7,500 available for installation. The government have also said that heat pumps will be cheaper and easier to install as part of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

In a commitment to global climate action, the UK government has pledged £6 million to support forest conservation efforts in Zambia. This funding aims to aid in curbing deforestation and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Over 8,800 social homes across the UK are set to undergo energy efficiency upgrades through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. With funding allocated to councils and housing associations, these upgrades will include insulation, heat pumps, and double glazing.

The government has also allocated over £1 billion for the upcoming Contracts for Difference auction round. This investment is part of the government's strategy for advancing renewable energy technologies and transitioning away from fossil fuels.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has unveiled its monitoring and evaluation framework, outlining its commitment to robust evaluation practices.

Select Committees

Environment and Climate Change Committee

The Environment and Climate Change Committee have launched a new inquiry into methane. The committee aims to understand the impact of methane on climate change and warming.

The Committee invites written contributions to its inquiry by Monday 15th April 2024.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee

The EFRA Committee have sent a letter to the Defra Secretary, urging the government to focus more on green spaces. They're asking for changes and stronger leadership from the government to encourage more investment in and support for green infrastructure.

All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs)

Environment APPG

Trudy Harrison, Chair of the Environment APPG, along with others have penned a letter to Environment Secretary Steve Barclay. The letter urges that legislation for forest risk commodities is laid as soon as possible.

The Environment APPG will be hosting a online Q&A session featuring Baroness Barran on Tuesday 23rd April, Minister for the School System and Student Finance at the Department for Education. During the session, the Minister will provide insights into the department's efforts to educate young people about the environmental crisis.

Climate Change APPG

The Climate Change APPG will be hosting a roundtable discussion with the Rt Hon. Lord Benyon, Minister of State at the Foreign Office, in collaboration with Defra on Wednesday 24th April. This meeting aims to offer cross-party parliamentarians a platform to engage in dialogue regarding several key topics. These include COP28 and discussing the UK government's priorities for COP29 and COP16.