On 24 January, the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill was ‘adjourned’ to 11 July after politicians were denied the opportunity for a ‘free vote’ to advance the Bill to its next stage. Instead, the government has promised that next steps will include binding commitments to advance the CAN Bill’s objectives, including for legislation. We considered the Bill’s headline points here.

Also in January, the UK’s Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) published its latest annual assessment, which finds that very substantial challenges remain for the government to achieve its own statutory environmental targets under the Environment Act 2021 and the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023. The OEP predicts that at current rates, our overall prospects of meeting 7 out of the 10 ambitions and commitments are largely off track, and we are partially on track to meet only 3 targets. These ten overarching ambitions include (1) thriving plants and wildlife, (2) clean air, (3) clean and plentiful water and (4) maximising resources; minimising waste.

Driven by urgent investment, targeted policy levers and detailed delivery plans, the OEP has set out eight key recommendations that will progress the Government’s environmental priorities:

  1. Get nature-friendly farming right: which requires a significant increase in the uptake of the more environmentally ambitious aspects of Countryside Stewardship and Landscape Recovery schemes.
  2. Maximise the contribution of protected sites for nature: correct underinvestment in site designation and management including implementation of conservation measures; improving monitoring and strengthening overall governance and engagement with partners.
  3. Speed up action in the marine environment: ban all damaging activities in Marine Protected Areas, put in place overdue Marine Protected Area byelaws, and implement a new UK Marine Strategy that focuses action on those descriptors not yet at good environmental status.
  4. Set out clear mechanisms for reconciling competing demands for use of land and sea: planning decisions for clean energy infrastructure and housing, promoting food security and protecting communities from flooding need to have environmental priorities and place-based approaches effectively integrated.
  5. Develop a circular economy framework: accelerate policy for resources and waste management, chemicals and extended producer responsibility.
  6. Mobilise investment at the scale needed: provide strong incentives, oversight and regulation, to create the market confidence to deliver rapid, substantial growth in investment.
  7. Regulate more effectively: implement and enforce existing regulation and use regulatory tools in a considered way to get people (and businesses) to act in ways they may not otherwise choose.
  8. Harness the support needed to achieve ambitions: provide clear leadership at the highest level to ensure cross-government delivery and wider stakeholder buy-in.

Strengthening action on climate and nature must be a priority for the UK in 2025. This requires full government backing, targeted and appropriate levels of investment and greater public participation.

As 2025 progresses, we will be keeping an eye on key policies and regulations as they develop to see how well they map onto the OEP’s recommendations and how far they push the dial on environmental action. Ones to watch include:

  • Rapid review of Environmental Improvement Plan: The Government has completed its review to make sure it can deliver on ambitious targets and introduce a revised Environmental Improvement Plan in 2025.
  • Water (Special Measures) Bill: Continuing its passage through Parliament, the Bill strengthens the powers of the water regulator and environment regulators, with a view to improving water quality.
  • New oil and gas licences: Following key challenges brought by Finch and Greenpeace, new fossil fuel projects must consider how they address their downstream (scope 3) greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Clean Power 2030 Action Plan:  In response to independent expert advice, the 2030 Action Plan sets out an ambitious path for the UK’s ‘sprint’ to 95% clean power in the next 5 years.
  • Land Use Framework: The Environment Secretary has launched a new land use consultation, asking for input on how we manage the growing demands for limited land whilst improving climate resilience, restoring nature and delivering necessary infrastructure.
  • Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging: 2025 will see a fee introduction for businesses importing packaging into the UK market. The funds will be redistributed to local authorities for waste disposal.

If you understand the threats posed by climate change to your organisation and want to renew your sense of reality and urgency, join a community of like-minded business leaders at our Transition Lobby events in February and March here.