The natural environment will be better protected for generations to come with the introduction of a “landmark, far-reaching” Environment Bill introduced on 30 January.

For the first time, the enhanced Bill will create new powers to stop the export of polluting plastic waste to developing countries, which could prevent harmful waste from being shipped out of sight whilst boosting the UK’s domestic recycling system.

More broadly, the ground-breaking Bill will enshrine environmental principles in law and introduce measures to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore habitats.

The Bill will include a new commitment to review the biggest developments in environmental legislation from around the world every other year, and use the findings in considering the UK’s own environmental plans.

This will work alongside a requirement for current and future ministers to make a statement to Parliament identifying environmental impacts of all new environmental primary legislation – demonstrating the government’s ambition to be a world leader on these issues.

Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said:

“We are facing climate change and our precious natural environment is under threat. We need to take decisive action.

“We have set out our pitch to be a world leader on the environment as we leave the EU and the Environment Bill is a crucial part of achieving this aim. It sets a gold standard for improving air quality, protecting nature, increasing recycling and cutting down on plastic waste.

“This will build on the UK’s strong track record as the first major economy to commit to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and will drive further action in this super year for the environment, culminating in the UK welcoming the world to the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in November in Glasgow.”

As well as the measures outlined above, legislation will 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. This ambition will be supported by championing nature-based solutions, helping to demonstrate our commitment to tackle climate change.

The Bill, included in December’s Queen’s Speech and introduced on 30 January, will:

“Ensure the environment is at the heart of all government policy making and that this government – and future governments – are held to account if they fail to uphold their environmental duties, including meeting net-zero by 2050 and wider long-term legally binding targets on biodiversity, air quality, water, and resource efficiency and waste management that are established under the Bill. And, as announced for the first time on 30 January, a review will be conducted every two years of significant developments in international legislation on the environment to ensure we keep abreast of developments in driving forward our environmental protection legislation.

“It will transform the way waste is managed – through powers that enable us to require producers to take more responsibility for the products and materials they place on the market, including when they become waste, introducing a consistent approach to recycling, tackling waste crime, creating powers to introduce bottle deposit return schemes and having more effective litter enforcement. A power to stop the export of polluting plastic waste to less developed countries will ensure we deal with more of our waste at home and lighten our footprint on the planet. The Bill will also create powers to introduce new charges for single use plastic items to minimise their use and incentivising reusable alternatives to reduce their environmental impact.

“It will improve air quality – by introducing measures to reduce pollution so children and young people can live longer healthier lives. The government is committing to set an ambitious, legally-binding target to reduce fine particulate matter, the pollutant of greatest harm to human health. In addition, this Bill will ensure that local authorities have a clear framework for tackling air pollution and simple to use powers to address pollution in their areas. The government will also be empowered to mandate manufacturers to recall vehicles and machinery when they do not meet the relevant environmental standards.

“It will restore and enhance nature – through ‘biodiversity net gain’ government will ensure that the new houses we build are delivered in a way which protects and enhances nature, helping to deliver thriving natural spaces for local communities. It will lay the foundation for the Nature Recovery Network to deliver long lasting action for nature by establishing Local Nature Recovery Strategies, strengthening the duty on public authorities to enhance biodiversity and giving communities a greater say in the management of street trees. Government is also legislating for conservation covenants to improve long term conservation management.

“It will protect precious water resources – by increasing sustainable water management through securing long-term, resilient water and wastewater services in the face of a changing climate. Powers to direct water companies to work together to meet current and future demand for water will make planning more robust.”

The Bill builds on the government’s action to protect the environment, as set out in its 25-Year Environment Plan. Legislation to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and hosting the Climate-focused COP26 in 2020 will also keep the UK at the forefront of international work on these issues.

The Bill was included in December’s Queen’s Speech, which outlined the government’s plans to take the UK out of the EU, overhaul the country’s immigration system, and enshrine in law record investment for the NHS.