by Hardwick Legal | Oct 15, 2020 | Purpose Built (LexisNexis)
<article><section><p>Environment analysis: Simon Tilling, Partner and head of environmental law at Burges Salmon LLP considers the current UK-EU negotiating position on key environmental issues, the alignment of UK laws with EU-laws and non-regression, the potential impact of the Internal market Bill on these issues and what to expect moving forward.</p><h2>What are the current UK and EU negotiating positions on key environmental issues such as emissions trading, chemicals and REACH?</h2><p>We should start by remembering that the environmental sector was largely pro-EU in the 2016 referendum campaign, no doubt informed by the fact that so much of the legal framework for the protection of the environment comes from the EU, and the knowledge that many of the big environmental issues facing us today need to be tackled on a global scale. This thinking has continued to endure within some rather optimistic views on what a free trade agreement might achieve in ‘locking in’ environmental protection by coupling us to an increasingly ambitious European Commission green agenda.</p><p>The political reality is rather different. Take the EU REACH Regulation on chemicals. Over the past decade, the European Chemicals Agency has received vast quantities of scientific data from industry on the chemicals placed on the EU single market in quantities over one tonne p.a. That data is used by the European Chemicals Agency and all of the chemicals agencies within member states to evaluate the potential hazards of those chemicals. Both the chemicals industry and environmental campaigners have been arguing that it is absurd to replicate this in the UK, rather than to align UK chemicals regulation with EU REACH and share that data. The cost to industry of replicating the database in the UK has been estimated at one billion pounds even before the question arises of how the UK agency (the HSE) will evaluate it all.</p><p>On 1 October this year, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, was asked on the floor of the House of Commons </p></section></article>
Source: LexisNexis Purpose Built
Brexit and the environment—current state of play
by Hardwick Legal | Oct 6, 2020 | Purpose Built (LexisNexis)
<article><section><p>Environment analysis: The Waste (Circular Economy) Regulations 2020 are in force from 1 October 2020. This News Analysis considers the background, scope and key changes implemented through these regulations.</p><p>The Waste (Circular Economy) (Amendment) Regulations 2020, <a href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/environment/document/412012/610K-RJM3-CGXG-0205/linkHandler.faces?psldocinfo=Waste__Circular_Economy___Amendment__Regulations_2020_News_Analysis&linkInfo=F%23GB%23UK_SI%23num%252020_904s_Title%25&A=0.2965258649448892&bct=A&risb=&service=citation&langcountry=GB" target="_parent">SI 2020/904</a>, are in force from 1 October 2020. These regulations transpose the EU’s 2020 Circular Economy Package (CEP) in England and Wales, and partially for Scotland and Northern Ireland.</p><h2>What is the background to the Waste (Circular Economy) (Amendment) Regulations 2020?</h2><p>Global waste is currently projected to reach 3.4 billion tonnes annually by 2050. Waste generation causes harmful effects to humanity, wildlife and the environment. Increased waste generation depletes raw materials and pollutes land, water and air.</p><p>In 2015, the European Commission published proposals to amend six EU Waste Directives, including <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/environment/document/412012/610K-RJM3-CGXG-0205/linkHandler.faces?psldocinfo=Waste__Circular_Economy___Amendment__Regulations_2020_News_Analysis&linkInfo=F%23GB%23EU_DIR%23num%2532008L0098%25&A=0.7629122702111358&bct=A&risb=&service=citation&langcountry=GB" target="_parent">Directive 2008/98/EC</a>, the Waste Framework Directive (WFD), <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/environment/document/412012/610K-RJM3-CGXG-0205/linkHandler.faces?psldocinfo=Waste__Circular_Economy___Amendment__Regulations_2020_News_Analysis&linkInfo=F%23GB%23EU_DIR%23num%2531999L0031%25&A=0.4177959119318909&bct=A&risb=&service=citation&langcountry=GB" target="_parent">Directive 1999/31/EC</a>, the Landfill Directive (LFD), and <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/environment/document/412012/610K-RJM3-CGXG-0205/linkHandler.faces?psldocinfo=Waste__Circular_Economy___Amendment__Regulations_2020_News_Analysis&linkInfo=F%23GB%23EU_DIR%23num%2531994L0062%25&A=0.9075363516811861&bct=A&risb=&service=citation&langcountry=GB" target="_parent">Directive 94/62/EC</a>, the Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). Known collectively as the CEP, the proposals entered into force on the 4 July 2018. The objectives of the CEP are to reduce the adverse impacts of waste generation and the overall impacts of resource use by ensuring appropriate application of the waste hierarchy, by placing restrictions on landfilling and incineration and also by changes to the arrangements affecting hazardous waste and waste oils.</p><p>The <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/index_en.htm" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window">CEP</a> introduced a revised legislative framework and established a long-term plan for waste management and recycling. For more information see Practice Note: <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/environment/document/412012/610K-RJM3-CGXG-0205/linkHandler.faces?psldocinfo=Waste__Circular_Economy___Amendment__Regulations_2020_News_Analysis&ps=null&bct=A&homeCsi=0&A=0.3158248653710809&urlEnc=ISO-8859-1&&dpsi=0OLN&remotekey1=DOC-ID&remotekey2=0OLN_2758581&service=DOC-ID&origdpsi=0S4D">Waste—the circular economy</a>.</p><p>In tandem with the CEP, in 2019 the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) was published, which introduced initiatives for the life cycle of products, targeting their design, promoting circular economy processes, fostering sustainable consumption, and aiming to ensure that resources used are kept in the EU economy for as long as possible. The CEAP was published as part of the <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window">European Green Deal</a>. For more information on the CEAP see News Analysis: <a ></a ></p></section></article>
Source: LexisNexis Purpose Built
Waste (Circular Economy) (Amendment) Regulations 2020—News Analysis
by Hardwick Legal | Sep 14, 2020 | Purpose Built (LexisNexis)
<article><section><p>Energy analysis: Matthew Collinson, independent specialist energy lawyer and consultant, discusses the <a href="https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/173821/download" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable="">Future Energy Scenarios</a> (FES) <a href="https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/173821/download" data-sf-ec-immutable="">2020</a>, providing an overview of common themes and highlights what it means for energy lawyers.</p><section><h2>What is FES 2020?</h2><p>FES is an annual publication by National Grid Electricity Transmission System Operator (NETSO). It actually refers to a suite of documents, but is commonly taken to mean the FES Report, which sets out a range of different, credible scenarios for decarbonising the energy system.</p></section><section><h2><mark id="CITEID_865531"></mark>What are the key changes from FES 2019 to FES 2020?</h2><p>The most important change for FES 2020 is that all scenarios have net zero at their core. The timing of the net zero commitment meant that FES 2019 could only include a net zero sensitivity analysis, whereas FES 2020 is focused on different pathways for achieving the new net zero target.</p></section><section><h2><mark id="CITEID_865532"></mark>What are the common themes highlighted by NETSO in FES 2020?</h2><p>Like its predecessor, FES 2020 highlights four possible scenarios. All but one achieve net zero by 2050: the ‘Steady Progression’ scenario achieves only a 68% reduction in emissions against 1990 levels by 2050.</p><p>In broad terms (and unsurprisingly) the fastest decarbonisation requires changes from both consumers (the products they buy, and how they use them) and industry (efficient products that allow smarter consumption).</p><p>NETSO anticipates that if the transition is driven predominantly by a change in consumer behaviour, increased uptake of residential heating products like air source heat pumps will force the system towards greater electrification. A consumer-led transition is, however, contingent on the success of the smart meter roll-out, and relies on companion technologies like thermal stora</p></section></section></article>
Source: LexisNexis Purpose Built
Future Energy Scenarios 2020
by Hardwick Legal | Sep 4, 2020 | Purpose Built (LexisNexis)
<article><section><p>Environment analysis: Simon Tilling and Stephen Lavington, partner and senior associate respectively in Burges Salmon’s environment and climate change team, discuss the government’s recent carbon emissions tax consultation</p><h2>What is the background leading up to this consultation?</h2><div><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;">The </span><a id="ORIGHIT_6" name="ORIGHIT_6" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_6" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;"></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;">Carbon </span><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_7" name="ORIGHIT_7" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_7" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;"></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;">Emissions </span><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_8" name="ORIGHIT_8" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_8" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;"></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;">Tax (CET) was first announced in the 2018 budget as a contingency measure in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Had the UK left the EU with no deal it would have immediately ceased participation in the EU </span><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_49" name="ORIGHIT_49" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_49" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;"></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;">Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). In those circumstances, the UK </span><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_50" name="ORIGHIT_50" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_50" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;"></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;">government would have implemented CET to ensure the continuity of </span><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_51" name="ORIGHIT_51" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_51" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;"></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;white-space:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;">carbon pricing across the UK.</span><br></div></section><p>In accordance with the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, the UK will remain part of EU ETS until the transition period for leaving the EU ends on 31 December 2020. The <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_52" name="ORIGHIT_52"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_52"></a>government has already stated its intention to continue <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_53" name="ORIGHIT_53"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_53"></a>carbon pricing (which forms an essential part of meeting its ambitious 2050 <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_9" name="ORIGHIT_9"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_9"></a>net<a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_10" name="ORIGHIT_10"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_10"></a>-<a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_11" name="ORIGHIT_11"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_11"></a>zero target) and so will need to implement a replacement regime.</p><p>As outlined in the 2019 <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_54" name="ORIGHIT_54"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_54"></a>consultation, on ‘The Future of UK <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_55" name="ORIGHIT_55"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_55"></a>Carbon Pricing’ and the <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_56" name="ORIGHIT_56"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_56"></a>government response document published on 1 June 2020, the preferred alternative to the EU ETS is a UK <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_57" name="ORIGHIT_57"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_57"></a>emissions trading scheme (UK ETS).</p><p>If it is not possible to put a UK ETS in place (either on a standalone basis or linked with the EU), the current intention of the <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_58" name="ORIGHIT_58"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_58"></a>government is to implement CET. This <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_59" name="ORIGHIT_59"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_59"></a>consultation paper details the <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_60" name="ORIGHIT_60"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_60"></a>government’s proposals for the operation of CET, building on the legislative framework for the <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_61" name="ORIGHIT_61"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_61"></a>tax already contained in the <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/energy/docfromresult/D-WA-A-AWW-AWW-MsSWYWD-UUA-UZEYAAUUW-U-U-U-U-U-U-AZUAYBCVZA-ACEEVAZWZA-ZADUBYZW-U-U/1/linkHandler.faces?psldocinfo=Incentivising_net_zero_an_analysis_of_the_government_s_carbon_emissions_tax_consultation&linkInfo=F%23GB%23UK_ACTS%23num%252019_1a_Title%25&A=0.629263770940773&bct=A&risb=&service=citation&langcountry=GB" target="_parent">Finance Act 2019</a> (<a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/energy/docfromresult/D-WA-A-AWW-AWW-MsSWYWD-UUA-UZEYAAUUW-U-U-U-U-U-U-AZUAYBCVZA-ACEEVAZWZA-ZADUBYZW-U-U/1/linkHandler.faces?psldocinfo=Incentivising_net_zero_an_analysis_of_the_government_s_carbon_emissions_tax_consultation&linkInfo=F%23GB%23UK_ACTS%23num%252019_1a_Title%25&A=0.06223705701359439&bct=A&risb=&service=citation&langcountry=GB" target="_parent">FA 2019</a>).</p><h2>What provisions have already been made in FA 2019 with regard to the <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_12" name="ORIGHIT_12"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_12"></a>carbon <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_13" name="ORIGHIT_13"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_13"></a>emissions <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" id="ORIGHIT_14" name="ORIGHIT_14"></a><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" _.hitnav="Y" name="HIT_14"></a>tax?</h2><p><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/energy/docfromresult/d-wa-a-aww-aww-msswywd-uu data-sf-ec-immutable="" href=""></a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/energy/docfromresult/d-wa-a-aww-aww-msswywd-uu></p></article>
Source: LexisNexis Purpose Built
Incentivising net zero—an analysis of the government’s carbon emissions tax consultation
by Hardwick Legal | Aug 28, 2020 | Purpose Built (LexisNexis)
<article><section><p>Environment analysis: The government has published its Circular Economy Package Policy Statement. The Statement builds on the Resource and Waste Strategy, the 25 Year Environment Plan and the Welsh Government strategy ‘Beyond Recycling’. It outlines how the UK will implement the requirements of the 2018 EU Circular Economy Package (CEP) and provides a revised legislative framework, concrete steps to reduce waste and establishes a long-term strategy for waste management and recycling.</p><p>The UK is committed to moving towards a more circular economy which aims to keep resources in use as long as possible, extracting maximum value from them, minimising waste and promoting resource efficiency.</p><p>The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland) have jointly issued the<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-economy-package-policy-statement/circular-economy-package-policy-statement" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window"> Circular Economy Package policy statement (Policy Statement)</a>. The <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/index_en.htm" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window">CEP</a> introduces a revised legislative framework, identifying steps for the reduction of waste and establishing an ambitious and credible long-term path for waste management and recycling. This policy statement sets out the key changes made by the CEP and the approach of the UK to transposition of the 2020 CEP measures. <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904505/circular-economy-policy-statement-annex1.pdf" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window">Annex I </a>of the Policy Statement provides details of 2020 measures and the UK government approach to transposing them. <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904511/circular-economy-policy-statement-annex2.pdf" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window">Annex II </a>contains the Regulatory Triage Assessment (RTA) and <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904512/circular-economy-policy-statement-annex3.pdf" target="_blank" title="Opens in a new window">Annex III</a> outlines proposed guidance updates regarding PPWD.</p><h2>What is the background to the Policy Statement?</h2><p>Global waste is currently projected to reach 3.4 billion tonnes annually by 2050, a 70% increase relative to 2016 (2.0 billion tons). Waste generation causes harmful effects to humanity, wildlife and the environment. For example, increased waste generation depletes raw materials and pollutes land, water and air.</p><p>In 2015, the European Commission published proposals to amend six EU Waste Directives, including <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/environment/document/412012/60p8-kr23-gxfd-82df/linkhandler.faces?psldocinfo=government_publishes_circular_economy_package_policy_statement&linkinfo=f%23gb%23eu_dir%23num%2532008l0098%25&a=0.32357132945587075&bct=a&risb=&service=citation&langcountry=gb" data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/environment/document/412012/60P8-KR23-GXFD-82DF/linkHandler.faces?psldocinfo=Government_publishes_Circular_Economy_Package_Policy_Statement&linkInfo=F%23GB%23EU_DIR%23num%2532008L0098%25&A=0.32357132945587075&bct=A&risb=&service=citation&langcountry=GB"></a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/environment/document/412012/60p8-kr23-gxfd-82df/linkhandler.faces?psldocinfo=government_publishes_circular_economy_package_policy_statement&linkinfo=f%23gb%23eu_dir%23num%2532008l0098%25&a=0.32357132945587075&bct=a&risb=&service=citation&langcountry=gb" ></p></section></article>
Source: LexisNexis Purpose Built
Government publishes Circular Economy Package Policy Statement
by Hardwick Legal | Aug 7, 2020 | Purpose Built (LexisNexis)
<p>On 6 August 2020, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government published its long-awaited <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-for-the-future">‘Planning for the Future’ White Paper</a>, setting out far-reaching proposals for reform to the English planning system. Alongside it, it published a second consultation on <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/907215/200805_Changes_to_the_current_planning_system_FINAL_version.pdf">interim changes to the planning system</a>, pending the outcome of the White Paper reforms. </p><p>The <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-for-the-future">White Paper</a> proposes reforms that touch on almost all aspects of the planning regime, which, among other things, propose:</p><ul type="disc"><li>reforming the role of local plans, so that they focus on identifying land under just three categories: growth areas suitable for substantial development (where outline approval for development would be automatically secured for forms and types of development specified in the plan), renewal areas suitable for some development, such as gentle densification, and protected areas where development is restricted. Plans will also be visual and map-based, standardised and based on the latest digital technology</li><li>setting general development management policies nationally, so that local plans will simply identify site and area-specific requirements, accompanied by locally-produced design codes</li><li>changing the development management process, so that outline planning permission is automatically granted for development in areas identified as growth areas in the new local plans. Further details will have to be agreed and full permission achieved through streamlined and faster consent routes which focus on securing good design and addressing site-specif</li></ul>
Source: LexisNexis Purpose Built
Government proposes a ‘whole new planning system for England’ in White Paper published for consultation, alongside interim reforms
