Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Application of the environmental principles to policymaking will enhance environmental protection and promote sustainable development.įor the purpose of this policy statement (and as defined in the Environment Act section 45), “environmental protection” means:Ī) protection of the natural environment from the effects of human activityī) protection of people from the effects of human activity on the natural environmentĬ) maintenance, restoration or enhancement of the natural environmentĭ) monitoring, assessing, considering or reporting on anything in paragraphs (a) to (c) What is the role of the policy statement? Improvement of environmental protection and sustainable developmentĪs required by section 17(4) of the Environment Act, the Secretary of State is satisfied that this policy statement will contribute to the improvement of environmental protection and sustainable development. They should identify the potential environmental effects (positive or negative) and use the principles to inform and influence the design of the policy. Policymakers should consider and use the principles iteratively from the outset and during subsequent stages in policy development. However, the principles are not rules and they cannot dictate policy decisions by ministers. The purpose of these principles is to guide ministers and policymakers towards opportunities to prevent environmental damage and enhance the environment. The UK government has already committed to these 5 principles through international instruments and processes. When making policy, and where relevant, ministers will need to consider the: The 5 principles in this policy statement, as set out in section 17(5) of the Environment Act, are internationally recognised as successful benchmarks for environmental protection and enhancement. Environmental principles: an overview What are environmental principles? This approach will ensure that nature and the environment are proactively designed into the policymaking process. Instead, it aims to provide ministers, and those developing policy on their behalf, with the space to use the principles to enable and encourage innovation. It is not prescriptive in dictating the outcome of any application of the environmental principles. The 5 principles in this statement play an important role to support Environmental Improvement Plans and to delivering on our net zero commitment to tackle climate change. This statement will assist in realising this opportunity. We can also ensure that environmental principles are used consistently across government to guide policymaking whilst supporting innovation and economic growth. We have the chance to strengthen environmental protection and enhancement. Leaving the European Union ( EU) has opened the door to new opportunity for reviewing historic EU rules and processes to ensure our regulations work for us. This will help policymakers to protect and enhance our environment and preserve England’s unique natural assets, all within the context of building resilience to biodiversity loss and the effects of our changing climate. This is the reason for the introduction of the environmental principles in the Environment Act 2021. To make this happen, it is vital that we deliver a system that places environmental considerations at the heart of policymaking across government. The government has committed that we will be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than that in which we found it. Introduction: our new approach to environmental protection
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