With the publication of its latest Brexit Risk Tracker, Greener UK, a coalition of 14 environmental NGOs, identify a ‘high risk’ for all of the eight environmental areas described, including air and water protection, chemicals, agriculture, fisheries and nature protection. It is the 7th update of the risk tracker since inception following the Brexit referendum in 2016.
The severe rating is largely due to the prospect of a no-deal scenario. Other reasons are relating to the government’s Draft Environmental Bill and statutory instruments, judged deficient by all experts involved, and the risks raised by future trading opportunities, like the US, for lowering food and health standards. On climate change, an area where the UK has previously claimed leadership, the NGOs identify serious risks, including fears of losing investments in energy infrastructure, and a consequent slowdown in efforts to decarbonise the economy.
Greener UK’s risk tracker