Draft environment (principles and governance) bill
![]() |
On 19 December 2018, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published draft clauses on environmental principles and governance. |
The draft clauses will be part of a broader Environment Bill introduced early in the second session of parliament, which will include legislative measures to take direct action to address the biggest environmental priorities:
- air quality;
- protection and enhancement of landscapes,
- wildlife and habitats;
- handling of resources and waste,
- management of surface, ground and waste water.
The creation of an Environment Bill was announced by the Prime Minister in July, and is intended to put environmental ambition and accountability at the heart of government, creating a new framework for environmental governance.
An independent body will provide scrutiny and advice, and hold government to account on the development and implementation of environmental law and policy. The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) will be a statutory environmental body that will be able to take legal action to enforce the implementation of environmental law where necessary, replacing the current oversight of the European Commission.
The draft Bill proposes making it a legal requirement for the government to have a plan for improving the environment, to monitor and report annually to Parliament on progress and to update it at least every 5 years. The 25 Year Environment Plan, published in January, will become the first such plan.
Environment Secretary, Michael Gove said the clauses; “…set out how we will create a pioneering new system of green governance, placing our 25 Year Environment Plan on a statutory footing. We will explore options for strong targets to improve our environment, and provisions on air quality, waste and water resource management, and restoring nature.”
John Alker, Director of Policy and Places at UKGBC said; "The Draft Environment Bill represents some welcome ambition from government. Our built environment has a huge impact on nature and biodiversity, and ensuring we protect and enhance our natural assets is vital, not least for our own health and wellbeing. This bill should give clarity to construction and property businesses on environmental principles and provide the policy certainty to raise the bar on standards.”
You can see the clauses at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-environment-principles-and-governance-bill-2018
This announcement came in the same week that the government published: Our waste, our resources: a strategy for England.
See also: Environment Bill 2020.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Climate change science.
- Earth overshoot day.
- Energy Act.
- Energy Related Products Regulations.
- Environment Bill 2020.
- Environmental legislation.
- Environmental Protection Act.
- Governance.
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
- The Carbon Plan: Delivering our low carbon future.
- UK Climate Change Risk Assessment.
- Our waste, our resources: a strategy for England.
Featured articles and news
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.