UK Law and Policy Flashcards
What was the Sustainable Development Commission and why was it interesting?
UK independent watchdog organisation, publically funded, working towards a sustainable economy, renewables etc
Axed 2010
Put in place by labour, tory-lib dem coalition wanted to save money so shut it down, an independent financial analysis showed it cost more to close it down therefore a flawed financial argument
What is the Well-being of Generations (Wales) Act 2015?
Duty to apply SD to the heart of all gov and public bodies
SD at heart of the curriculum
What was the UK’s 25 year Environment Plan?
Long-term plan for SD
May’s gov set it up alongside brexit negotiations,
needs checks every 3-5 years and watchdog org for accountability
Outline the Environment Bill (2019).
Bill to ensure enviro protections not weakened after brexit
est. a world leading economy to hold gov accountable for enviro outcomes, ‘office for environmental protection’
What did the Withdrawal Act ensure with regards to environmental protection?
Def of enviro law est. public authority to take enforcement action enviro principles: precautionary polluter pays enviro damage rectified at source principle of SD
Environmental principles must include:
integrated into the definition and implementation of policy
public access
public participation
access to justice in environmental matters
Which Bill intended to leave the environment in a better state than which we inherited it? Why is this problematic
The Environment Bill
How to define a generation
What is ‘better state’
What point do you start the generation change (Industrial rev, post war, etc)
No clarity of data using
What are some concerns with the Environment Bill?
Lack of focus on systemic change
Lack of focus on climatic change
Ambitious targets- but no actual figures
Office for Environmental Protection can only hold to account, not fine
Unclear funding other than through DEFRA
‘a regression on EU Policy’ (efra committee)
What makes up the UK Environmental Administration?
DEFRA
Dept. for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
Dept. for Transport
Dept. for Communities and Local Government
Treasury
Reactionary changes, need longer term strategy
What are some of the supporting bodies to DEFRA?
Natural England
EA
Forestry Commission
National Park Authorities
Name 3 responsibilities of the EA.+
Water quality and resources Conservation and ecology Environmental Permitting (part a1) Fisheries Treatment of heavily contaminated land
What are the main functions of EA?
prevent/mitigate pollution
assessments on any organisation that may pollute
protecting and conserving buildings for historic/cultural interest etc
preserving public access to woodlands, mountains, etc and other places of natural beauty
Name 3 responsibilities of the Local Authorities?
Statutory Nuisance
Noise
Historically contaminated land
What are the Water & Sewage undertakers responsibilities?
Regulation of trade effluent
water supply
water pricing
sewer management
What does drinking water inspectorate do?
Measure quality of drinking water
