'Diverged by default': Have UK environmental laws fallen behind the EU's since Brexit?

Stuart Stone
clock • 8 min read
Credit: iStock
Image:

Credit: iStock

The EU has introduced stronger policies on air quality, biodiversity, and climate, while many UK environmental policy frameworks have largely stood still, new research alleges

The UK has fallen behind the European Union (EU) in a number of crucial environmental policy areas since Brexit, with the bloc passing more stringent air quality, biodiversity, and climate legislation,...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Biodiversity

Poll: More than half of Church of England's tenant farmers adopting regenerative practices

Poll: More than half of Church of England's tenant farmers adopting regenerative practices

Farmers on land owned by the Church of England are increasingly adopting regenerative practices, although access to finance remains the biggest barrier to further take up

Mia Willemsen, Farmers Guardian
clock 23 April 2026 • 5 min read
Biodiversity Net Gain: Government confirms controversial 'small site' exemption

Biodiversity Net Gain: Government confirms controversial 'small site' exemption

Projects smaller than 0.2 hectares will be exempt from BNG rules, while major energy projects will move within scope later this year

Stuart Stone
clock 16 April 2026 • 5 min read
How a peatland restoration project is aiming to boost UK farming resilience

How a peatland restoration project is aiming to boost UK farming resilience

A project led by Pollybell Farms is aiming to rewet peatlands to help decarbonise energy and food production in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire

Ashleigh Ellwood, Farmers Guardian
clock 13 April 2026 • 4 min read