Environment weekly highlights—30 April 2020

Published on: 30 April 2020

Published by: LexisPSL

Environment weekly highlights—30 April 2020
In this issue:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
COP26 President warns against losing sight of climate change challenge
UN recalls the importance to tackle climate change during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Coronavirus (COVID-19)—EU TEG states that sustainable recovery from the pandemic requires the right tools
Environment Agency to remain fully operational during coronavirus (COVID-19)
EA publishes regulatory response to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Environment Agency issues further RPSs amid coronavirus (COVID-19)
Government extends consultation on ending sales of petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles

More...

Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Deadline for governmental support for farmers extended
Climate change submission deadlines not changed in light of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Energy Performance Certificate government guidance
Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Planning Inspectorate plans for digital hearings
Coronavirus (COVID-19)—NRW’s commitment to protect the environment
Chemical council calls for international response to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Manufacturers advised on fast-tracking supply of disinfectants amid coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Challenges for voluntary organisations published by IVAR
Statement of the Commission on specific measures to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in the fishery and aquaculture sector published in Official Journal
COVID-19—Amendment made to Offshore Petroleum Regulations
Brexit
The Fisheries Bill
EU Committee adopts new structure in the wake of Brexit
Brexit Bulletin—EU calls for genuine progress in negotiations in light of UK refusal to extend transition
Brexit holdups focused on level playing field, fisheries and deal format, Gove says
Nuclear cooperation emerges as small area of Brexit progress
Environmental issues in transactions
ESAs consult on ESG disclosure standards
European Commission supports Council of EU position on Taxonomy Regulation
Comment—EU green-disclosure proposal will hamper investors for little gain
Energy for environmental lawyers
RHI schemes to change under government plans
Government publishes outcome of consultation on restricting RHI support for biomass installations in urban areas
Evaluation report on biomethane installations published
NDA business plan published following consultation
Record for the longest period without coal-powered electricity in Great Britain
Environmental information
Cabinet Office reports latest freedom of information statistics
Hazardous substances
European Commission seeks comments on updated list of restricted substances
Waste
European Parliament's briefing on EU’s Public Procurement Framework published
First study determining microplastic contamination in Antarctic sea ice published
Wildlife and habitat conservation
Farmers to receive bridging payments on stewardship agreements in May 2020
Water, flooding and drainage
Floods and coastal erosion tackled by newly released Environment Agency guidance
Pigot v Environment Agency
Coronavirus (COVID-19) toolkit
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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.