Kaley Hart and Nigel Haigh OBE have been appointed as expert members to advise the Office for Environmental Protection.

Nigel Haigh, honorary fellow at IEEP UK, and Executive Director of IEEP from 1980 to 1998, commented:

“I have long been interested in the way British environmental policy has evolved, and the creation of the OEP is a significant new step. It could even provide ideas for other countries that also struggle to ensure that environmental legislation is properly implemented. It is intriguing that it has been the UK’s departure from the EU that provided the spur for its creation: OEP is a rare ‘Brexit benefit’. I suspect I will learn more from my involvement with OEP than I will contribute.”

Kaley Hart, current Associate Research Director at IEEP AISBL, and Executive Director at IEEP UK until mid-2023, commented:

“I’m honoured to have this opportunity to bring my experience and expertise to support the OEP in its important mission to protect and improve the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account based on evidence-based decision-making.”

The College of Experts is made up of over 50 experts from the natural, economic, social science, and environmental law research communities. The role is voluntary and will include identifying priorities and knowledge gaps, providing expert input on environmental issues and emerging future challenges, and working as a reviewer for the development and outputs of relevant projects.

The OEP is a public body which was created under the Environment Act 2021 to protect and improve the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account across England and Northern Ireland.