The hosting of the UN climate change conference in the UK is causing a step change in governmental attitudes, according to the chief executive of the Environment Agency, James Bevan.
Bevan who spoke at a Westminster forum this week on the future of environmental regulation said he would support reform that delivers better protections for the natural world.
With the landmark climate event to be held in Glasgow in November, Bevan said it was “already focusing minds in government” and the country should lead by example.
Bevan previously spoke about changes to regulation when the UK left the EU and faced criticism that rules would be watered down, however he defended his position saying that reform should focus on improving areas of regulation that have been less effective rather than on weakening the rules. He said leaving the EU gave an opportunity for improvement.
“This is not about a race to the bottom, it’s a race to be better,” Bevan said and added that much of the EU legislation is “very good” but not perfect.
He cited the Water Framework Directive as a “fantastic approach to improve water quality” that looks at the whole system of a waterway, but said the quality scores “can mislead” on the state of a water course.
According to Bevan, the three changes that would make the biggest difference would be for the EA to “be modern as a regulator” that is risk-based, business friendly and outcome focused; secondly to utilise the best of the regulation the UK already has from the EU; and to not lose sight of the main focus, which is tackling the climate emergency.
The upcoming Environment Bill forms part of the post-Brexit changes and will include the creation of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), which will act as an independent watchdog. Dame Glenys Stacey was appointed as chair in December but the OEP is awaiting royal assent of the Environment Bill before it becomes operational.
It is expected to be functional around July 2021 and will need to establish the distinct responsibilities for each regulator.