Protection laws stand still

UK environmental protection legislation is falling behind that of the EU since Brexit, according to the latest 2025 report from the Institute for European Environmental Policy on regulatory divergence in environmental policy.

The EU has introduced stronger laws across a number of key areas, including air pollution, chemicals, nature restoration and the circular economy, it reports, while the UK has “largely stood still”.

While the think tank’s report, Divergence in UK/EU environmental policy: state of play 2025, highlights “notable examples of progressive divergence”, such as the UK and Scottish governments’ decision to close sandeel fisheries, this “contrasts starkly with ongoing threats of environmental regression”.

It notes particular concern about the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill. This would potentially undermine “hard-won” nature protections and, if passed in its current form, would mark a shift towards a deliberate weakening of environmental standards.

Labour MP Toby Perkins, chair of the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee, said the UK is falling behind in regulating toxic chemicals like Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever chemicals”.

And former Green Party leader, MP and MEP Caroline Lucas said it was shameful that the government “has deliberately chosen not to keep up with the standards of our European neighbours, on everything from deforestation to industrial emissions”.