First review of the 25 Year Environment Plan published

The Government published this week the first report on the progress of the implementation of the landmark 25 Year Environment Plan. According to the report in the first year of the plan, which launched in January 2018, around 90% of its actions have been delivered or are being progressed.

The plan boasts the Government's achievements in the last 12 months, which include:

• cutting down on plastic waste by implementing bans on plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers, as well as extending the 5p plastic bag charge;
• overhauling the waste system with a comprehensive Resources and Waste Strategy;
• laying the Agriculture Bill before Parliament to introduce a fairer and more sustainable system of environmental land management;
• publishing a Clean Air Strategy which sets out ambitious plans to cut air pollution through more coherent regulatory framework and stronger powers to local authorities to control the major sources of air pollution;
• developing the first Environment Bill in 20 years;
• safeguarding forests and woodlands by implementing plans to create the Northern Forest and appointing a Tree Champion;
• protecting precious wildlife habitats by launching a review to strengthen and enhance England's National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs);
• protecting the marine environment by launching the Fisheries Bill, and introducing one of the world's toughest bans on microbeads;
• consulting on the creation of 41 new Marine Conservation Zones; and
• protecting wildlife and helping to curb illegal wildlife trade by introducing an ivory ban and hosting the global Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in London.

The Environment minister Thérèse Coffey said:

"Through our landmark 25 Year Environment Plan and upcoming Environment Bill, we are committed to bold action on tackling plastic waste, reforming farming, protecting our landscapes and boosting wildlife. While progress is encouraging, we know there is still more to do".

"As the future stewards of the environment, our children and young people have a crucial role to play in protecting our precious natural world. That is why, in this Year of Green Action, we are involving young people in helping shape our shared future".

This review comes a few days after a new report from the European Commission was published on the UK's implementation of the EU environmental policy and law across different sectors and administrations.

That report found that while there are certain improvements, such as resource efficiency and bold plans for long-term improvements, there are still major environmental issues remaining. These problems include nitrate pollution of water from agriculture, unacceptable air pollution in urban areas, lack of protection for offshore bird habitats and little co-operation between devolved governments on environmental issues.

Also, the first reviews of the draft Environment Bill are not great, with many MPs arguing that it fails to address many challenges such as climate change, with little power and budget given to the new Office for Environmental Protection, ultimately putting the environment at the mercy of the ruling Government.

For more information on this subject, see:

• 25 Year Environment Plan Progress Report.