Q&As

Q&As

These Q&As seek to briefly address common questions faced when dealing with Environment matters.

The Q&As supplement and link to other more detailed content within Lexis+®, but are intentionally short. It is anticipated that a brief Q&A will be most helpful when you need a quick overview of an issue and its likely impact. This might arise, for example, for lawyers needing to provide advice, provide business development or training at short notice. The Q&A content on Lexis+® is date stamped. This date is the publish date

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Latest Environment News

UK ETS Authority publishes final response on extending emissions trading scheme beyond 2030

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) Authority has reviewed responses to its consultation on extending the Scheme beyond 2030 and confirmed that the UK ETS will continue into a second phase beginning on 1 January 2031. The Authority stated that extension is necessary to maintain a carbon price across covered sectors and to support long-term progress towards net zero. It also noted that the Phase I cap trajectory will remain unchanged while a separate consultation is undertaken on the detailed Phase II cap profile.

OEP publishes report on implementation of laws for terrestrial and freshwater protected sites in England

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has published a comprehensive report examining how effectively the regulations governing Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are being implemented in England. The review assesses the application of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in relation to SSSIs and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, SI 2017/1012, for SACs and SPAs. The report concludes that the main barriers to effectiveness stem from shortcomings in implementation rather than deficiencies in the legislation itself. It sets out 15 recommendations to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Natural England and other public authorities, grouped under six themes: governance, resources, designation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, land management incentives and advice and regulatory tools and enforcement. The report also highlights that achieving positive environmental outcomes depends on the actions of private landowners and occupiers.

Great British Energy publishes first Strategic Plan setting 2030 targets

Great British Energy (GBE) has published its first Strategic Plan outlining the publicly owned energy company's priorities through 2030. The plan targets at least 15 GW of clean energy generation, £15bn of mobilised private finance, support for over 1,000 community energy projects, and more than 10,000 jobs. GBE established three investment priorities: local energy projects, onshore energy development, and offshore energy acceleration. The plan includes details of a £1bn 'Energy – Engineered in the UK' programme intended to strengthen domestic industrial capacity, responding to the Energy Secretary's Statement of Strategic Priorities published earlier in 2025.

A Brief Summary—The 2025 Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan

Environment analysis: In October 2025, the UK government published their Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan. The Plan aims to comply with the mandates of the Climate Change Act 2008 (CCA 2008), along with 2024 court order, which established that the 2023 carbon budget plan was non-compliant. Strategy to meet the carbon budget is laid out across twelve key sectors, encompassing policy on legislative change and incentives for business, local authorities, and individuals. Written by Francesca Fitzgerald, sustainability & communications coordinator at Ardea International.