Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Second Report - The UK's footprint on global biodiversity
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 674
Published 30 September 2021
Government response
Fifth Special Report - The UK’s footprint on global biodiversity: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report · published 1 Feb 2022
Recommendations & Conclusions
1
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 23
Consumption patterns in the UK are unsustainable.
Conclusion
Consumption patterns in the UK are unsustainable. Addressing these patterns is key to the UK’s contribution to the alleviation of global biodiversity loss. The first step is to recognise the need to reduce the UK’s overall consumption. We welcome that …
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Government Response Summary
The government has developed a global environmental footprint indicator and published findings, but explicitly states it will not consider setting a global footprint target until a robust evidence base is established to ensure positive results and avoid unintended consequences.
2
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 24
In 2018 the Government announced it would devise an indicator on the overseas environmental impacts...
Conclusion
In 2018 the Government announced it would devise an indicator on the overseas environmental impacts of UK consumption of key commodities. It appears that little to no progress has been made in developing this indicator. This is disappointing and shows …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it already considers environmental implications and is exploring ways to strengthen analytical approaches, but explicitly rejects the specific recommendation to devise an indicator due to practicality and cost-effectiveness concerns.
27
Conclusion
Rejected
The policy statement on environmental principles, to be prepared under the Environment Bill, ought to...
Conclusion
The policy statement on environmental principles, to be prepared under the Environment Bill, ought to be a powerful tool for mainstreaming environmental concerns, including biodiversity, across Government. So the Government’s response to the recommendation of our previous report—arguing that general …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the committee's characterisation of its approach, reiterating that the Environmental Principles Policy Statement will be a powerful tool for mainstreaming concerns. It explains that general taxation and spending are exempt due to existing processes and constitutional implications.