Environmental Policy, Law and Regulators

Question 1

What does the UK consisting of devolved nations mean

Answer 1

Across the UK there are four different governments each with a different range of powers. These include the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. The majority of legislation applies to the whole of the UK however these different governments have different regulators (E.g. DEFRA, NE and EA for the UK Government).

Question 2

What does DEFRA stand for

Answer 2

Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question 3

What are DEFRAs 5 key priorities:

Answer 3

• Clean up Britain’s rivers, lakes and seas
• Create a road map to a zero- waste economy
• Support farmers to boost food security
• Ensure natures recovery
• Protect communities from the danger of flooding

Question 4

When was the Environment Agency formed and what type of public body is it

Answer 4

• Formed in 1996 to combine and transfer the functions of pollution, rivers and waste into one authority
• Type of public body: executive non-departmental public body

Question 5

What are the Environment Agencys’ responsibilities

Answer 5

• Regulating major industry and waste
• Treatment of heavily contaminated land
• Water quality and resources
• Flood risk from main rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and sea
• Fisheries
• Inland river, estuary and harbour navigations
• Conservation and ecology
• Environmental Permitting (part A1)

Question 6

When was Natural England formed and what type of public body is it

Answer 6

• Formed in 2006
• Type of public body: executive non-departmental public body

Question 7

What are Natural Englands’ Responsibilities

Answer 7

• Enforcement for protected sites and wildlife licences
• Advice to local authorities and developers
• Grant funding (environmental stewardship)
• Designations

Question 8

When and under what legistaltion was the Office for Environmental Protection Formed

Answer 8

Formed in 2021 as part of the Environment act (2021)

Question 9

What is the Office for Environmental protections’ purpose

Answer 9

to protect and improve the Environment by holding government and other public authorities to account:
○ Government departments
○ Government ministers
○ Regulators
○ Local authorities
- Assesses progress towards legally binding targets

Question 10

What are the four priority areas in the Environment Act 2021

Answer 10

1. waste and resource efficiency;
2. air quality;
3. water;
4. nature and biodiversity

Question 11

What are some criticisms of the Environment Act 2021

Answer 11

• Untreated Sewage discharges not to be penalised
• Lack of Clarity on Climate Change objectives
• Office for Environmental Protection can only hold government and departments to account but can’t fine them

Question 12

What takes the goals of the 25 year improvement plan and sets out the progress made and contains specific targets and commitments

Answer 12

Environmental Improvement Plan

Question 13

State the name of the international organisation responsible for the management of CITES.

Answer 13

UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)