The UK’s green future outside the European Union has moved a step closer with the Second Reading of the Environment Bill.

Opening the Bill’s Second Reading, Environment Secretary George Eustice said the Bill is a keystone in the government’s vision to deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth.

The Bill was introduced on 30 January and states that by freeing ourselves from future changes to EU law, we will be able to lead the way at home and abroad to deliver global environmental change.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

“The Prime Minster is clear – and so am I – we will deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on Earth.

“This transformative Bill is at the heart of our work. It will see us recycling more and wasting less, breathing cleaner air, planting trees, safeguarding forests, and supporting nature recovery as we work to tackle climate change and reach net zero emissions.

“And this is just the start. 2020 is a massive year for our natural environment and the UK will take its place at the head of the world’s table when we host the COP 26 climate change conference in Glasgow, driving real change across the planet.”

The Environment Bill sets out how government plans to protect and improve the natural environment in the UK, legislating to ensure the environment is front and centre in future policy making.

The Bill will:

• put environmental principles into law;
• establish a new independent Office for Environmental Protection to hold the government to account on the environment; and
• introduce legally binding targets to drive action by this and all future governments to significantly improve air quality, nature, water, and resource and waste efficiency.

Acting as one of the key vehicles for delivering the policy set out in the 25-Year Environment Plan, it brings about action to tackle the environmental and climate crisis.

The Bill will enhance wildlife, tackle air pollution, transform how we manage our resources and waste, and improve the resilience of water supplies in a changing climate to ensure we protect and restore the natural environment.

Following the Second Reading of the Environment Bill it will then go to Committee Stage, with Report Stage and Third Reading following this, before transferring to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.