'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

Woodland Trust calls on government to allocate a fifth of £1bn tree planting budget to urban 'tree deserts'

Woodland Trust calls on government to allocate a fifth of £1bn tree planting budget to urban 'tree deserts'

Just 14 per cent of people living in England have access to woodland within a 500 metre walk of their home, conservation charity warns

Stuart Stone
clock 14 July 2026 • 3 min read
Government plots path to protecting 30 per cent of England for nature by 2030

Government plots path to protecting 30 per cent of England for nature by 2030

Defra's 30x30 delivery plan comes backed by £37m in funding to help National Parks and landscapes step up nature recovery efforts - but campaigners claim new strategy remains badly underpowered

Michael Holder
clock 13 July 2026 • 8 min read
West Yorkshire unveils inaugural nature plan to bolster climate resilience

West Yorkshire unveils inaugural nature plan to bolster climate resilience

New strategy aims to boost nature as part of efforts to protect region from extreme weather such as heatwaves and flooding

clock 09 July 2026 • 2 min read