Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 48
48
Accepted in Part
Conduct sustainability impact assessments and develop strategies for environmental net gains in trade agreements
Recommendation
We reiterate the recommendation of our 2021 report on the UK’s footprint on global diversity: sustainability impact assessments must be conducted for all future trade agreements. Ministers must develop strategies for the effective monitoring and delivery environmental net gains, including gains through halting and reversing deforestation, in its negotiations for and implementation of the UK’s trade deals. (Paragraph 171) The UK’s contribution to tackling global deforestation 53
Government Response Summary
The government states that published impact assessments for new Free Trade Agreements already include environmental impacts like deforestation. However, regarding developing strategies for effective monitoring and delivery of environmental net gains, they have only undertaken research exploring its feasibility over the last 18 months.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Published Impact Assessments for new Free Trade Agreements have already included both quantitative and qualitative estimates of the impacts on several aspects of the environment, including emissions, deforestation, air and water quality, and biodiversity. Separately, the Government has undertaken research over the last 18 months exploring the feasibility of assessing net gain in trade.