At the same time, select committees and APPGs are stepping up scrutiny through new inquiries and discussions focused on resilience, planning, and the transition to net zero.
In this roundup, Asim Ali, ISEP’s Senior Public Affairs Officer, highlights the latest updates from Defra, DESNZ, Select Committees, and APPGs shaping the UK’s environmental and climate policy landscape.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Supporting Innovation in Farming
The government has announced £12.6 million in new funding through two Farming Innovation Programme competitions – described as a “Dragons’ Den for farming.” Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, the funding aims to support research and development projects that help reduce costs, improve animal health, reduce reliance on seasonal labour, and strengthen productivity.
Protecting Peatlands and Wildlife
A ban on burning heather and grass on England’s deep peat will be extended to improve air quality, protect biodiversity, and reduce flood risk. The government notes that this step will help safeguard the UK’s globally significant peatlands.
Global Ocean Protection
The UK has introduced legislation to support the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty, designed to protect two-thirds of the world’s oceans. As part of the Plan for Change, this move strengthens global marine biodiversity efforts and helps ensure long-term food security by safeguarding ocean ecosystems.
Sustainable Fertiliser Partnership with Brazil
The UK and Brazil have launched a joint partnership on fertiliser sustainability to address environmental impacts while supporting food production resilience. Priority areas include protecting biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening supply chains.
Water Efficiency and Housebuilding
New water-saving measures are being introduced to help reduce bills and support new housing developments. The Water Efficiency Standards aim to tackle water scarcity and unblock stalled housing projects, supporting the delivery of 1.5 million new homes by 2030. Families in new homes could save over £100 a year on bills through simple water-saving measures.
Assessing the Cost of Nationalising Water
Defra has published a technical note estimating the cost of nationalising the water industry at around £100 billion.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
Great British Energy: Clean Power and Jobs
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has set out his vision for Great British Energy, the UK’s new publicly owned clean power company. The initiative aims to expand homegrown clean energy, support skilled jobs, and help reduce household energy bills.
Carbon Capture Projects Underway
Two carbon capture projects in North Wales and North West England are set to begin construction, creating 500 jobs. The projects, located at a cement works in Flintshire and a waste-to-energy facility in Cheshire, are backed by £9.4 billion in government investment.
Expanding Solar Energy Across Public Sites
Hospitals and schools across the country are reducing their energy costs thanks to the installation of solar panels funded by Great British Energy. Initial installations have been completed at five NHS sites and several schools, with more planned later this year.
Extending Solar to Military and Public Estates
Great British Energy will extend its solar scheme to military sites, additional schools, and NHS facilities, backed by up to £75 million in new funding. The initiative aims to reduce energy bills and enhance sustainability across the public estate.
Select Committees
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee
The EFRA Committee has launched a call for evidence as part of its inquiry into climate and weather resilience, with an initial focus on coastal erosion and landslips. The inquiry will explore how the UK can adapt to changing weather patterns and mitigate the impact on communities and infrastructure.
Environmental Audit Committee (EAC)
The EAC has opened a new initiative inviting the public and experts to pitch ideas for its next environmental inquiry. The “Environment in Focus” project aims to encourage public participation in shaping future scrutiny of government policy on climate and nature.
The Committee has also launched an inquiry examining the financial impacts of the UK’s journey to net zero, exploring how the transition will affect household budgets and business costs into the 2040s.
All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs)
Environment APPG
The Environment APPG recently hosted a discussion on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, examining how it can be shaped to support climate action, biodiversity, and communities.
Asim joined ISEP in May 2022 as a Senior Public Affairs Officer. Prior to joining ISEP, Asim worked in a variety of roles for three Members of Parliament and interned for the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. He also holds an MA in Human Rights, Globalisation & Justice
