The government’s promise of a greener future via Brexit, with strengthened environmental policies and protections, has not materialized as expected. Despite Brexit, around 80% of the UK’s environmental laws still originate from the EU, as stated in the government’s Future of the Natural Environment after the EU Referendum report. While some changes have been made, such as the introduction of the Environment Act and targets for emissions reduction in the Net Zero Strategy, it is too early to measure the actual impact of Brexit on the environment.
Explore the repercussions of Brexit on the environment and the steps taken towards a more sustainable future in the UK. This blog highlights both the positive and negative aspects of Brexit’s impact on farming and fishing practices, as well as the country’s progress towards achieving its ambitious net-zero targets.
Assessing the Progress Towards a Greener Future
Currently, there have been limited real-world positive or negative effects of Brexit on the environment. Many new environmental policies in the UK were established recently, and their implementation is still ongoing. The government’s pledge of a “Green Brexit” has been criticized by environmental groups such as Greener UK for falling short of expectations.
Areas of environmental concern, including water and air quality, waste management, biodiversity, and agricultural practices, remain largely unchanged since Brexit. While certain sectors like fishing and farming have seen minor legislative improvements towards sustainability, other areas like chemical regulation and air quality standards have arguably suffered setbacks.
Brexit has resulted in weakened legal protections for the environment. Key areas of environmental protection, such as chemical regulations, air quality, waste management, and nature conservation, have been affected negatively. For instance, the UK’s clean air targets are less ambitious than those set by the EU, potentially hindering efforts to tackle air pollution. The UK’s new chemical regulation system, UK REACH, has been criticized for offering fewer protections against harmful chemicals and having a data gap in chemical registration.
There is also a risk that the Retained EU Law (REUL) bill, if enacted, could revoke hundreds of environmental laws by the end of 2023. Regulations concerning species and habitat protection, air pollution limits, and food and water safety laws are among those that could be scrapped.
While there have been some improvements in farming practices through initiatives like the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) and the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme, challenges remain. Delays in payments to farmers and low initial subsidies have impacted the effectiveness of these programs.
In terms of fishing policy, the Fisheries Act has introduced more flexibility for each devolved nation to adapt regulations in response to declining fish populations. However, criticism has been raised regarding the absence of rules against overfishing and the UK government setting fishing quotas above sustainable levels.
When comparing the UK’s carbon footprint to other European countries, it is relatively similar. The UK’s greenhouse gas emissions per person and its share of global emissions are comparable to countries like Germany and Sweden. This highlights the collective need for all major European nations to intensify efforts in reducing emissions for a greener future.
Is a greener future on the horizon?
As we evaluate the environmental impact of Brexit and the UK’s journey towards a greener future, it becomes evident that progress has been mixed. While some positive steps have been taken in farming and fishing practices, challenges persist in areas such as air and water quality, waste management, and biodiversity.
The government’s commitment to ambitious net-zero targets must be matched with concrete actions and detailed plans. It is crucial to capitalize on the opportunity presented by Brexit to develop robust policies that safeguard the environment and pave the way for a truly greener future. Collaborative efforts, innovative solutions, and sustained commitment are key to creating a sustainable and environmentally conscious UK post-Brexit.