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Latest Environment News

Commission adopts technical standards for European Green Bond external reviewers

The European Commission has adopted a Delegated Regulation to establish binding regulatory technical standards under Regulation (EU) 2023/2631 (the European Green Bond Regulation). It mandates that, from 21 June 2026, all external reviewers must be registered with and supervised by European Securities and Markets Authority  (ESMA), subject to stringent criteria concerning governance, staff competence, and operational integrity. The Delegated Regulation will enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.

Defra launches consultation on CITES regulatory reforms

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a consultation on proposed regulatory reforms to the UK's Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) implementing framework. The consultation seeks views on amendments to domestic CITES legislation, changes to the fees and charges framework and draft statutory guidance on the use of civil sanctions for certain breaches of CITES legislation. The reforms are intended to implement recommendations from the Corry Review of environmental regulation. Responses will be used to inform the final package of reforms for ministerial consideration. The consultation closes on 23 October 2025.

Defra announces publication of HSE guidance on emergency pesticide authorisations

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidance on emergency authorisations of pesticides, developed in co-operation with all four UK governments. The guidance clarifies and strengthens the requirements for considering pollinator risks in emergency pesticide authorisation applications. The publication follows the denial of an emergency pesticide authorisation for the neonicotinoid pesticide Cruiser SB earlier in 2025.

NESO publishes response to SSEP SEA scoping report consultation

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has published the response to its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) scoping report consultation for the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP), conducted between March and April 2025. The consultation received 17 responses across four key themes: the SSEP zonal approach, policy review, baseline information and collaboration and alignment. Respondents generally supported the draft SEA scoping report but requested further clarity on cross-boundary impacts and environmental opportunities.

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