The Landscape
Institute has joined other leading bodies to support a shared view of how
the government must put sustainability at the heart of the UK’s economic
model.
Working with
business, environment, academic and professional groups, the Institute of
Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) has published Assurances for an Environment Act – a document that outlines how the
government’s Environment Bill should create a coherent, long-term
framework for the environment.
The
document outlines the key elements needed for an ambitious new Environment
Act that provides the basis for private and public sector investment in
environmental improvement. It forms part of the IEMA’s Broadway Initiative, which aims to
generate ideas for world-leading environmental management after the UK’s
departure from the EU.
IEMA’s Chief Policy
Advisor Martin Baxter said that the document outlines ‘the key
requirements needed … to establish a framework for environmental governance for
the UK – in effect a new environmental constitution.’
"It is vital
that the UK sets long-term objectives for protecting and improving the
environment as we leave the EU," he said.
"The
Environment Act is a one-off chance to create a coherent framework … [that
enables] all parts of society to plan, invest and collaborate to substantially
improve the environment on which we and future generations depend."
Broadway Convenor Ed
Lockhart said: ‘… to improve our environment in any fundemental way we need a
legal framework that respects the long-term nature of environmental challenges
and their solutions, and enables businesses to factor the environment into their
plans and investments from the earliest stage. The Environment Bill is the
moment to make sure that happens.’
Assurances for an Environment Act will
provide the basis for evaluating Government’s proposals when the Environment
Bill is put before Parliament.
