Select committee: Environment and Climate Change Committee
Recommendation 38
1st Report - In our hands: behaviour change for climate and environmental goals
Published 12 Oct 2022
Paragraph 210
Environment and Climate Change Committee Mobilising action on climate change and environment: behaviour change All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
The Government should seek to increase the availability of food with lower climate and environmental impacts by: Delivering on its commitment to develop a system of agricultural support—via an effective and expedited rollout of ELMS and other environmental schemes—which supports farmers and land managers to reduce emissions and enhance the natural environment. Negotiating trade deals which ensure imported food products placed on the Great Britain market meet the same climate and environmental standards required of domestic producers. Utilising public health policy tools, including updating the Eatwell Guide to reflect a diet that is compatible with the UK’s long-term climate and environmental goals and aligning with this the GBSF, which we support making mandatory across the public sector.
From: Environment and Climate Change Committee, 1st Report - In our hands: behaviour change for climate and environmental goals, paragraph 210, 12 October 2022
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 21 December 2022 (deadline 12 December 2022).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government welcomes the committee's report and states that it has "carefully considered all the committee's conclusions and recommendations", responding mainly by pointing to existing strategies and policies, with some further action to follow.
- On the public engagement strategy sought by April 2023, the response points to the Net Zero Strategy and says a revised 25 Year Environment Plan will set out the approach to "enabling green choices, including through engagement".
- On a frequent flyer levy, the government says it "was minded to retain APD as the principal tax on the aviation sector", citing concerns about administrative complexity and data handling. It does not commit to a call for evidence.
- On Covid-19 lessons, it agrees there "may be useful lessons" and says it "will take this recommendation into consideration" as part of ongoing policy development.
- On Extended Producer Responsibility, it recognises its importance and says it will consult next year on reviewing existing producer responsibility systems. It is "considering" options for textiles.