The last week has seen different groups independently calling for the environment to be part of the UK-EU reset agenda kicking off on May 19th, with many echoing points made last year by IEEP UK in its Fresh Direction report.
This morning, the European Environmental Bureau sent a letter, signed by over 20 EU and UK environmental NGOs* to Prime Minister Starmer, President Von Der Leyen and other officials welcoming the reset talks. In it they called for:
1. UK alignment with higher EU product standards, including its regulatory protections from harmful chemicals and other environmentally driven product standards.
2. Increased regulatory cooperation and convergence in a variety of additional areas of environmental policy to protect our common health and environment. For example, joining forces to tackle commodity-driven deforestation and aligning circular economy rules, particularly around batteries and packaging waste, and ensuring that the extraction and use of critical raw materials is governed by the principle of sufficiency.
3. Formally linking the UK and EU Emissions Trading Schemes.
4. The EU to take inspiration from some of the UK action to protect its coastal and marine environment – particularly on fisheries.
5. UK reengagement with European scientific bodies, including the European Chemical Agency (via associate membership) and European Environment Agency.
Last week the European Movement (UK) set out ten steps the Government should commit to at the reset summit, also amplifying the call for the UK to rejoin the European Environment Agency and linking Emissions Trading Schemes, alongside calling for a UK-EU agreement on plant and animal health (a veterinary/SPS agreement).
Ben Reynolds, Executive Director of IEEP UK*, commented:
“As the UK was integral in designing much of the EU’s environmental legislation for so many years, it is no surprise that there is much we still share in terms of our ambition for environmental policy and regulation. The UK’s desire to reduce trade barriers to increase economic growth will require alignment or close cooperation on environmental standards and regulation, which are woven through, for example, the products we buy and sell. Despite the UK not moving as far and fast as the EU on tightening up and strengthening some aspects of these standards and regulations in recent years, it is not difficult for the UK to catch up”.
“The recommendation that the UK rejoins the European Environment Agency and Eionet is both symbolic and makes common sense. As demonstrated by Norway, Switzerland and Turkey, membership of European wide scientific and technical organisations does not require membership of the EU. If the UK wants to show international leadership on the environment, and that it is serious about its intentions in the reset talks with the EU, then agreeing to something like this will help smooth the way for more difficult negotiations.”
*Note: As an independent body, The Institute of European Environmental Policy UK (IEEP UK) does not sign on to letters, but many of the recommendations put forward in this letter echo those it has put forward previously.
Photo by Rocco Dipoppa on Unsplash