The Environment Act 2021 brings about urgent and meaningful action to combat the environmental and climate crises we are facing and acts as a key vehicle for delivering the bold vision set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan. It supports the UK's desire to build back better after Covid-19 with measures that support both economic growth and HM Government’s manifesto commitments to deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth. It will help the UK emerge from this crisis and build a fairer, greener, more resilient future. Overall, the Environment Act 2021 sets out a domestic framework for environmental governance and includes commitments to secure improvement on air quality, biodiversity, water and resource efficiency.
The 25 Year Environment Plan sets out government action to help the natural world regain and retain good health. It aims to deliver cleaner air and water in our cities and rural landscapes, protect threatened species and provide richer wildlife habitats. It calls for an approach to agriculture, forestry, land use and fishing that puts the environment first. The Plan looks to reform the UK's agriculture and fisheries management, as well as nature restoration and care. This applies to the UK's land, river and seas.
Since the UK Government is responsible for a number of policies and programmes which affect sectors across the UK and internationally, some aspects of the Plan will apply to the UK as a whole. In other areas where environmental policy is devolved and responsibility rests with the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive, the proposals in this Plan apply to England only.
