Nature and biodiversity protection

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Biodiversity and Wildlife incorporates wildlife conservation, wildlife licensing and wildlife crime, and also biodiversity topics including biodiversity litigation, international biodiversity law, UK biodiversity law and policy, and the evolution and background of biodiversity and its key concepts. It includes both species protection and habitats protection, and often has to be taken into account in the context of development. It involves national and European law and international conventions and treaties. For information on the impact of Brexit on the application of environmental law see Practice Note: Brexit—impact on environmental law—EU law after Brexit.

Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting endangered plant and animal species, together with their habitats.

Wildlife issues for developers

A developer who has bought, or who is thinking of buying, land for development must consider whether the land is a protected site or is populated by a protected species.

For more information, see:

  1. •

    Practice Note: Habitats and wildlife issues for developers

  2. •

    Environmental issues in transactions—overview

Protected species

Europe is home to more than 500 wild bird species. However, many of these species need improved conservation measures to continue

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Latest Environment News

WRA publishes landfill disposals tax rates for 2026–27

The Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) published Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT) rates for 2025–27 and confirmed the rates to apply from 1 April 2026. LDT is charged by weight on waste disposed of at authorised landfill sites in Wales. It replaced Landfill Tax in Wales from April 2018.

Defra announces plans to extend PACE and POCA powers to EA officers

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced plans to extend powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE 1984) and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA 2002) to Environment Agency (EA) enforcement officers to strengthen enforcement against waste crime. The proposed reforms enable officers to intervene earlier in criminal activities and disrupt the financial activities that support waste crime groups. Defra has also confirmed that a new Waste Crime Action Plan will be published soon to outline the government's comprehensive approach to tackling these crimes and under separate proposed legislation, waste criminals could face up to five years for illegal transportation and dealing of waste.

European Affairs Committee launches inquiry into UK-EU dynamic alignment

The House of Lords European Affairs Committee has launched a call for evidence in a new inquiry into dynamic alignment, as part of the parliamentary scrutiny of the government’s UK-EU reset. As the ten year anniversary of the Brexit vote approaches, the inquiry will examine the implications of new UK-EU agreements under which the UK would align with certain areas of EU law, participate in EU law decision-shaping processes, and make financial contributions to relevant EU activities. The inquiry will investigate dynamic alignment and associated issues, including the arrangements for implementation and parliamentary scrutiny of dynamic alignment, the implications for the UK devolved administrations, and the broader economic, regulatory and trade impact. The inquiry hopes to inform parliamentary consideration of the proposed ‘Reset Bill’, also referred to as the ‘Dynamic Alignment Bill’, which is expected in 2026, to provide for domestic implementation of the UK-EU reset agreements, including dynamic alignment. Written evidence should be submitted by 9.00am on 20 April 2026. Public evidence sessions will start on 24 March 2026, with the Committee aiming to report later in the year.

DESNZ launches industry engagement for new Hydrogen Network Code development

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced the commencement of industry engagement on the development of a new Hydrogen Network Code (the Code) for hydrogen pipeline networks. Network codes are legal documents forming the basis of arrangements between network owners and users. As set out in the government’s response to the Hydrogen Economic Regulatory Frameworks Consultation, government will lead the development of the Code in partnership with industry and in close collaboration with Ofgem and other relevant stakeholders. DESNZ will host an introductory webinar in April 2026 to outline its proposed engagement approach and the process for developing the first issue of the Code. Industry engagement will take place at two levels: (1) a Code Engagement Forum, open to all Code-relevant stakeholders and intended to provide periodic updates on Code development; and (2) a smaller Code Advisory Group, comprising representatives of interests across hydrogen pipeline networks, with membership determined via an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to be launched during the webinar. The engagement is expected to be relevant to prospective hydrogen producers, transporters, storage providers and offtakers, including industrial users and hydrogen-to-power plants, as well as trade bodies, with further details on selection criteria and Terms of Reference to be provided at the first session.

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