Defra

Legislation

The government says it wants a high standards Brexit - here's the first test

The government has once again lost a court battle over its air quality plans, how it responds will tell us a lot about how serious its Green Brexit vision should be taken

clock 22 February 2018 • 4 min read

Policy

ClientEarth wins third battle with government over air quality plan

Updated: Government will not appeal ruling

clock 21 February 2018 • 5 min read

Politics

Gove pledges to 'occupy the high ground' on environmental standards

Environment Secretary sets out further detail on post-Brexit plans for the UK farming sector, promising stronger voice for Defra in Whitehall

clock 20 February 2018 • 4 min read

Politics

A brighter future for farming

Environment Secretary Michael Gove's speech on farming policy at the NFU Farming Conference 2018

clock 20 February 2018 • 25 min read

Science

UK air pollution levels fall, but critics warn legal standards still being breached

Although still above legal limits set by the EU, total emissions of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide are down in cities across England

clock 19 February 2018 • 2 min read

Politics

Labour sets out farming policy overhaul to 'end bad environmental practices'

Party seeks farming subsidy regime redesign as it launches raft of policy proposals aimed at boosting animal welfare standards across meat production chain

clock 14 February 2018 • 3 min read

Waste

What's really behind the sudden rise in UK waste sector emissions?

Emissions from UK landfill rose five per cent in 2016, with experts attributing the rise to a change in methodology - but should businesses be concerned about the increase in their waste footprint?

clock 09 February 2018 • 6 min read

Legislation

Are woodburners and stoves next in line for air pollution crackdown?

New government consultation puts domestic burning of wood and coal under scrutiny, as policymakers search for new strategies to boost air quality

clock 31 January 2018 • 2 min read

Waste

Is the government right to demonise plastic?

We need to be careful not to write off plastic entirely, argues Hubbub's Trewin Restorick

clock 31 January 2018 • 3 min read

Policy

Michael Gove backs post-Brexit adoption of 'environmental principles'

Environment Secretary says government will consult on proposals for a new policy statement that sets out post-Brexit environmental principles, such as 'polluter pays'

clock 25 January 2018 • 3 min read