Article summary

This week's edition of Environment weekly highlights includes updates relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) and the environment, including statements by the President of the COP26, Alok Sharma, and the UN Environmental Programme urging governments not to lose sight of the huge challenges posed by climate change when dealing with the ongoing pandemic, but rather to ensure that economic recovery plans help to create more sustainable societies. The on-going COVID-19 outbreak has also led to further regulatory position statements (RPSs) from the Environment Agency (EA) regarding landspreading slurry or milk (RPS C12) and the accumulation of radioactive waste (RPS C13) amid coronavirus, an extension to the closing date for the Department of Transport’s consultation on ending the sale of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars, and an announcement by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) of extensions to deadlines for farmers and land managers to apply for governmental support through the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) schemes. This week the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has also announced bridging payments for CS and ES claimants with unpaid claims and the EA has issued guidance regarding managing risk of floods and coastal erosion. In addition this week the European Commission has published a consultation relating to updating the list of restricted substances under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation, the European Supervisory Authorities are seeking feedback on draft regulatory technical standards on environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures under Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 on sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published their response to the 2018 consultation on proposed changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, alongside details of the resulting changes to the scheme. We also cover the latest Brexit developments, including analysis from Alice Watson, public affairs assistant at the Marine Conservation Society on the key provisions of the Fisheries Bill. This week we have published a new Practice Note: Brexit—chemicals and hazardous substances. Sign in or take a trial to read the full analysis.