Public Consultation on environmental targets Closes 11 May 2022 at 11:45pm.
This consultation sets out proposals for:
- biodiversity on land and in the sea
- water quality and availability
- resource efficiency and waste reduction
- air quality
The Environment Act 2021 requires the Government to set at least one long-term target in each of the following areas: air quality; water; biodiversity; and resource efficiency/ waste reduction. It also requires targets to be set for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and species abundance.
Click HERE to visit the Government’s consultation page. Contact: Environmental Targets Team environmentaltargets@defra.gov.uk
The Government say:
Environmental targets, a key commitment in our Environment Act, will help deliver the government’s vision of leaving the environment in a better state than it was found and will drive forward ambitious environmental improvements by successive governments that protect and enhance our natural world. The targets form part of the government’s response to the clear scientific case, and growing public demand, for a step-change in environmental protection. Environmental targets will require action across the economy and will provide long-term certainty to businesses and society. This will stimulate innovation and economic growth and will create and support green jobs across the country.
They go on to say: We are proposing targets that we think will deliver environmental outcomes in the areas where there are some of the greatest problems. This is why we are considering targets beyond the legal minimum that we are required to set, with additional proposals on: biodiversity; water; marine; and woodland cover.