Following the vote to leave the European Union, the Government will work with environmental organisations and the public to develop its new policies. Until we leave the European Union, the existing arrangements remain in place.
The Government is fully committed to protecting wildlife and nature, and I am proud of our record in creating and improving vital habitats. Since 2010, it has helped clean up 625 square miles of lakes and over 15,000 kilometres of rivers, and more than 945 miles of hedges have been restored and planted. There is of course more to do so I welcome the commitment to plant 11 million more trees by 2020. This is on top of the 11 million trees planted in the last Parliament.
The UK will continue to play a leading role in combatting climate change, as we did at the Paris Conference. Carbon emissions have fallen by 6 percent since 2010, contributing to a 27 per cent reduction since 1990. Britain’s share of electricity generated from renewables has doubled since 2009 and Ministers are determined to ensure we become a world leader in the new green economy.
By Patrick McLoughlin on October 13, 2016