On 22 October, IEEP UK hosted a webinar to launch its new Divergence in UK-EU Environmental Policy: State of Play 2026 report. The event explored the report’s key findings, examining the extent of environmental policy divergence between the UK and EU since Brexit, the relative levels of ambition on both sides and the opportunities for closer cooperation.

The webinar was chaired by Dr Viviane Gravey, Senior Lecturer in European Politics at Queen’s University Belfast and IEEP UK Trustee, who opened the discussion by highlighting the value of IEEP UK’s annual divergence report in building a clearer picture of how environmental law and policy have evolved in the UK and EU since Brexit.

Michael Nicholson, Head of Policy at IEEP UK and lead author of the report, then provided an overview of the findings. He noted that, now in its third edition, the report is helping to establish a more comprehensive understanding of the scale and direction of divergence between the UK and EU. Acknowledging that the implementation, monitoring and enforcement of legislation remain significant challenges for EU Member States, Michael emphasised that the most notable difference between the UK and EU has been the EU’s greater legislative and policy ambition.

However, Michael stressed that this did not mean that the UK was moving backwards, highlighting examples of ambitious environmental policies introduced by the UK and its devolved administrations. Nevertheless, he pointed to several areas where the EU had gone further, including revisions to the Ambient Air Quality Directive and revision of the Waste Framework Directive, as well as developments in water legislation, which the UK had not matched.

Turning to UK-EU relations, Michael welcomed signs of closer cooperation but noted that decisions around regulatory alignment have largely been driven by trade considerations rather than a broader environmental strategy. He also highlighted the apparent absence of a comprehensive UK Government assessment of environmental policy alignment and divergence with the EU. Michael concluded by calling for the environment to be placed at the heart of UK-EU relations, arguing that the renewed relationship should move beyond a common understanding towards a shared direction, particularly given the links between environmental policy, industrial development, technology and critical raw materials.

Toby Perkins MP, Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), followed by highlighting the practical implications of divergence, not only for citizens and environmental protection but also for businesses, manufacturers and the agricultural sector. Drawing on the EAC’s inquiry into per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Toby noted that the EU had demonstrated greater ambition in restricting these chemicals. He underlined evidence received by the EAC warning that a failure by the UK to keep pace with EU regulation could have significant consequences, not only for environmental protection but also for manufacturers seeking to trade with the EU. However, Toby also acknowledged areas where the UK had demonstrated greater ambition than the EU, while emphasising that effective implementation and enforcement were just as important as the ambition of legislation itself, suggesting this as an area the UK had been good at.

Looking ahead, Toby expressed his support for closer UK-EU cooperation and alignment in areas such as PFAS and deforestation. However, he stressed that alignment should not come at the expense of existing UK environmental standards in areas where the UK had already gone further than the EU.

Seamus Logan MP of the Scottish National Party, began his contribution by highlighting the importance of cooperation with European partners on environmental challenges, including microplastic pollution. He referred to Scotland’s 2020 UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act and the Scottish Government’s efforts to maintain close alignment with EU environmental standards. Seamus also reiterated the SNP’s ambition for Scotland to rejoin the EU, which he argued would resolve many of the challenges associated with regulatory divergence.

During the subsequent Q&A session, speakers explored the practical challenges of UK-EU alignment and the opportunities for greater environmental ambition. Returning to the issue of regulatory divergence, Seamus reiterated Scotland’s efforts to remain closely aligned with EU environmental policy, while acknowledging that this had proved challenging in certain areas, including chemicals regulation and PFAS due to the political situation. Toby reflected on the changes in UK governments since the Brexit referendum, suggesting that the approach to environmental alignment and divergence had lacked consistency and a clear long-term strategy. Toby expressed clear support for closer cooperation with the EU but noted that this would continue to be difficult not only due to the pace of change within the EU but due to the potential impacts of the elections.

Ben Reynolds, Chief Executive of IEEP UK, concluded the panel discussion by highlighting the upcoming UK-EU reset talks as an important opportunity to strengthen environmental cooperation. He argued that the discussions should look beyond areas already on the agenda, such as linking the UK and EU Emissions Trading Systems, to consider wider opportunities for alignment.

In particular, Ben identified the UK rejoining in the European Environment Agency as a simple and ‘quick win’ to improve cooperation. He noted that EU membership was not a prerequisite for participation and highlighted the potential benefits of access to shared environmental datasets, monitoring systems and wider policy expertise.

You can watch the full recording of the webinar below, or by following this link.