The UK government is planning to make major reforms to environmental regulation to make its approach more “dynamic [and] streamlined”. This will drive economic growth and safeguard nature under its Plan for Change, the government said. The decision is prompted by a new review commissioned by the UK’s Environment Secretary Steve Reed, which found that the current environmental regulation system is “outdated, inconsistent and highly complex – delivering for neither nature nor growth”. While the report urged avoiding a “bonfire of regulations”, it made 29 recommendations to streamline rules, all of which are under active consideration by the government. The review found that the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has 34 agencies and public bodies and more than 3,500 legislative items in force, illustrating the need for streamlining. The government plans to fast track nine key measures seen as having the greatest impact for growth and nature recovery. This includes establishing a single, lead regulator for major infrastructure projects, revamping environmental guidance, streamlining permits and guidance, and boosting green finance through a new industry-funded Nature Market Accelerator. “Our current system for environmental regulation lets down both nature and growth; we must focus on good outcomes and nature enhancement, not on rigidly preserving everything at any cost. “This review clearly shows that simply scrapping regulations isn’t the answer – instead, we need modern, streamlined regulation that is easier for everyone to use,” said Dan Corry, the economist who led the review. “While short-term trade-offs may be needed, these reforms will ultimately deliver a win-win for both nature and economic growth in the longer run. Planning reforms and a new Nature Restoration Fund will unlock much needed housing delivery and infrastructure whilst supporting nature recovery at scale.”
