Sustainable development

Sustainable development—content

Content on sustainable development in this subtopic includes the following Practice Notes:

Sustainable development in England and Wales

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Climate change and sustainability issues for Construction—which considers the ramifications of climate change, and the push by the UK and governments around the world to achieve net zero, on the construction industry and the drafting of construction contracts
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ESG and sustainability—decarbonisation and net zero—which provides practical guidance on decarbonisation for businesses and will be of interest to practitioners (including inhouse and GCs) advising businesses on climate change
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Sustainable development—definition and application at UK level—which outlines the definition and application of sustainable development at UK level
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Sustainable development—the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 —which outlines the key provisions in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (Future Generations Act). It covers the background to the Future Generations Act, the well-being duty which includes the sustainable development principle, the Auditor-General for Wales, the Future Generations Commissioner (FGC), and the Public Service Boards (PSBs)
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Climate change and sustainability issues for Construction—which provides guidance on the implications of sustainable development for developers,

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Latest Environment News

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.

DESNZ launches consultation on streamlining UK ETS rules for cross-boundary CCS pipelines

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the regulatory framework for cross-boundary carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipelines under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which is jointly administered by the UK ETS Authority, comprising the UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for Northern Ireland (DAERA). The consultation closes on 4 June 2026

Defra introduces strategic policy statements to accelerate environmental planning approvals

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), alongside the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural England have introduced new Strategic Policy Statements directing the regulators to prioritise outcomes over administrative processes in planning and environmental assessments in order to accelerate approvals for housing, transport and clean energy projects while maintaining environmental standards. The measures are supported by £100m over three years to recruit specialist staff and develop modern digital systems that will enable regulators to complete environmental assessments more quickly and accurately. Defra has also established a new Infrastructure Unit to monitor major infrastructure projects and address planning issues as they arise, with complex matters referred to the Defra Infrastructure Board, and will convene a Development Industry Council to bring government and developers together to discuss practical solutions to planning challenges. In addition, the EA has been appointed as the Lead Environmental Regulator for the East West Rail project to coordinate advice from multiple environmental bodies and streamline the approvals process. The rail scheme is expected to support 100,000 new homes, improve connectivity between Oxford and Cambridge and generate £6.7bn in economic growth as part of the wider Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor, which could add up to £78bn to the UK economy by 2035.

MHCLG publishes response to environmental outcomes reports consultation and implementation roadmap

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published its response to its March 2023 consultation on Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs), which sought views on a proposed new system of environmental assessment. In the response, the MHCLG confirms its intention to use powers under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA 2023) to introduce a domestic, outcomes-based framework to replace the current Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regimes.