Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill [HL]

A Bill to make provision for a statutory objective requiring public bodies to contribute to delivery of targets set under the Environment Act 2021 and Climate Change Act 2008; to place a duty on public bodies to meet this objective in the exercise of their functions; and for connected purposes.

This is not the latest version of the Bill

Available Versions

3 Sep 2024
Lords: Committee
HL Bill 15(Rev) (as introduced)
(3 amendments)

Relevant Documents

Bill PDF
HL Bill 15(Rev) (as introduced)
Latest Amendments
HL Bill 15(Rev) Running list of amendments – 25 June 2025

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Page 1

1
The environmental recovery objective
 
 
(1)
The “environmental recovery objective” is the objective of contributing to—
 
 
(a)
the achievement of targets set under sections 1 to 3 of the Environment
 
 
Act 2021,
 
 
(b)
the achievement of targets set under Part 1 of the Climate Change Act
5
 
2008, and
 
 
(c)
the delivery of the programme for adaptation to climate change under
 
 
section 58 of the Climate Change Act 2008.
 
 
(2)
The environmental recovery objective is a principal objective for the public
 
 
bodies listed in section 2 (2) in carrying out their respective objectives, functions
10
 
and responsibilities.
 
2
Duty on public bodies to take steps to achieve environmental targets
 
 
(1)
A relevant public body must, in the exercise of its functions, take all reasonable
 
 
steps to meet the environmental recovery objective.
 
 
(2)
In this Act, a relevant public body means—
15
 
(a)
The Forestry Commission;
 
 
(b)
The Rural Payments Agency;
 
 
(c)
The Environment Agency;
 
 
(d)
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee;
 
 
(e)
The Marine Management Organisation;
20
 
(f)
Natural England;
 
 
(g)
The Office for Environmental Protection;
 
 
(h)
a designated national park authority;
 

Page 2

 
(i)
The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat);
 
 
(j)
The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem);
 
 
(k)
The Coal Authority;
 
 
(l)
The ESO (and any successor body);
 
 
(m)
The Committee on Climate Change;
5
 
(n)
Great British Nuclear;
 
 
(o)
The Oil and Gas Authority (The North Sea Transition Authority);
 
 
(p)
The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment &
 
 
Decommissioning;
 
 
(q)
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority;
10
 
(r)
National Highways;
 
 
(s)
Network Rail;
 
 
(t)
UK Infrastructure Bank;
 
 
(u)
The Crown Estate;
 
 
(v)
any Minister of the Crown;
15
 
(w)
unitary authorities in England;
 
 
(x)
London boroughs;
 
 
(y)
metropolitan districts in England;
 
 
(z)
county councils in England;
 
 
(z1)
district councils in England;
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(z2)
combined authorities in England;
 
 
(z3)
internal drainage boards in England;
 
 
(z4)
commons councils in England.
 
 
(3)
A “designated national park authority” in subsection (2) (h) means an authority
 
 
that manages land in England or Wales to be specified in regulations to be
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made by the Secretary of State.
 
 
(4)
A Minister of the Crown may by regulations made by statutory instrument
 
 
add to the list of public authorities specified in subsection (2) .
 
 
(5)
A statutory instrument containing regulations under this Act may not be
 
 
made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by
30
 
a resolution of each House of Parliament.
 
3
Extent, commencement and short title
 
 
(1)
This Act extends to England and Wales.
 
 
(2)
This Act comes into force at the end of the period of 90 days beginning with
 
 
the day on which it is passed.
35
 
(3)
This Act may be cited as Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Act 2024.
 
Amendments
Amendment 1

Tabled: 06 Nov 2024
HL Bill 15(Rev) Running list of amendments – 6 November 2024

This amendment was WITHDRAWN

Clause 1, page 1, line 6, leave out from “2008” to end of line 11

Type: Backbencher

Signatures: 1

Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con - Life peer) - 06 Nov 2024
Amendment 2

Tabled: 11 Jun 2025
HL Bill 15(Rev)-I Marshalled list for Committee

This amendment was WITHDRAWN

Clause 2, page 2, line 6, leave out paragraph (n)

Type: Backbencher

Signatures: 1

Viscount Trenchard (Con - Excepted Hereditary) - 11 Jun 2025
Amendment 3

Tabled: 11 Jun 2025
HL Bill 15(Rev)-I Marshalled list for Committee

This amendment was WITHDRAWN

Clause 2, page 2, line 23, at end insert—
“(z5) The Canal and River Trust.”

Type: Backbencher

Signatures: 1

Lord Evans of Rainow (Con - Life peer) - 11 Jun 2025