Crynodeb
The Environment Act 2021 is the UK's post-Brexit environmental governance framework. It established the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) as an independent watchdog, introduced legally binding environmental targets (including on air quality, water, biodiversity, and waste), mandated biodiversity net gain for new developments, and extended producer responsibility for packaging waste.
Pwyntiau allweddol
- Legally binding long-term environmental targets (Part 1)
- Environmental Improvement Plans replacing EU environmental action programmes (s.7)
- Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) — independent oversight body (Part 2)
- Biodiversity net gain: 10% mandatory for new developments (Part 6, Sch.14)
- Local Nature Recovery Strategies (s.104)
- Extended producer responsibility for packaging (s.49–55)
- Deposit return scheme powers (s.51)
- Species conservation and protected site provisions (Part 7)