The government launched a public consultation on long-term environmental targets for air, water, waste and biodiversity in March. Setting at least one long-term target in each of these areas was a key commitment outlined in the Environment Act of 2021.
The consultation closed on 27 June, with the government expected to publish the resulting targets by the end of October in line with the Act.
However, the environment secretary, Dr Thérèse Coffey, announced today that the government will not be able to publish its response in time due to the high number of responses received.
“We received over 180,000 responses which all needed to be analysed and carefully considered,” Dr Coffey said.
“In light of the significant public response and the volume of material, we will unfortunately not be able to publish targets by 31 October as required by the Act.”
She added that Defra “will continue to work at pace in order to lay draft statutory instruments as soon as practicable”.
Additionally, she noted that Defra remained “committed” to halting the decline in species by 2030 and to bringing forward the wider suite of targets specified under the Act.
Our world-leading Environment Act is now law.
After an extensive consultation this year, we are committed to publishing the UK’s environmental targets as soon as possible: https://t.co/LqM1NBCBWl
Watch Environment Secretary @theresecoffey explain more 👇 pic.twitter.com/t6Lkcagj93
— Defra UK (@DefraGovUK) October 28, 2022
Background
Dr Coffey was recycling minister at the department between 2016 and 2019, first appointed under Andrea Leadsom and kept on by Michael Gove. Then, she was part of the ministerial team that created the 25 Year Environment Plan and prepared the Environment Bill presented to Parliament in 2019. She was also involved in developing the Resources and Waste Strategy in 2018.
The MP for Suffolk was reappointed to Defra as Environment Secretary as part of new prime minister Rishi Sunak’s cabinet (see letsrecycle.com story).
The waste and recycling sector has welcomed Dr Coffey back in the position, highlighting her familiarity.
Subscribe for free