Government needs to put sustainability at heart of UK’s economic model, says IEMA

In a new report, IEMA has outlined key demands for the UK Government to provide a new environment act.

The IEMA, along with several environmental bodies, has called on the UK Government to deliver a “clear and coherent” Environment Act.

The report outlines 7 key assurances required for the ambitious new Environment Act. They say “Government must seize the opportunity to establish a long-term framework for the environment and provide policy-certainty to support investment”.

One assurance is to provide an independent oversight of government progress and action, this includes providing an enforcement function for climate change obligations.

The report urges leaders to establish a single integrated framework for the environment to inform local decision-making and planning at appropriate scales.

Currently, there are lots of single-issue spatial plans for the environment but these are separate from the main economic plans.

Commenting on the launch of the assurances, Martin Baxter, IEMA’s Chief Policy Advisor, said: “It is vital that the UK sets long-term objectives for protecting and improving the environment as we leave the EU. The Environment Act is a one-off chance to create a coherent framework to put sustainability at the heart of our economic model and enable all parts of society to plan, invest and collaborate to substantially improve the environment on which we and future generations depend.”

With continuous speculation over Britain’s fate in the EU, the recent European elections saw an overwhelming surge of support for the Green Party.

The party is expected to be the 4th largest in the European Parliament, holding potential for Greens to have greater influence over the future of the European Union’s policy.

Read the report in full here.