What does the UK Environment Bill mean for Wales?

Published 15/09/2020   |   Last Updated 27/07/2021   |   Reading Time minutes

The UK Government introduced the Environment Bill 2020-21 (‘the Bill’) to the House of Commons on 30 January 2020. It received its second reading on 26 February. The Bill is now being considered by a Public Bill Committee which will scrutinise its provisions line by line. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the timeline for consideration of the Bill is currently unknown. The Bill has been reintroduced from the previous parliamentary session. The majority of clauses are substantially the same as its predecessor.

The Welsh Government laid the Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) for the Bill before the National Assembly on 26 February 2020. The Bill is subject to the legislative consent process as a number of the areas covered fall within the competence of the Senedd. Whilst most of the provisions extend to England and Wales there are some parts that extend to the whole of the UK or apply to specific UK nations.

This research briefing (PDF 1778KB) provides an overview of the provisions for Wales within the Bill relating to environmental governance; waste and resource efficiency; air quality; water; and chemicals regulation.


Article by Chloe Corbyn, Senedd Research, Welsh Parliament