Lords to investigate environment and climate change policy after Brexit

The UK has previously pursued an ambitious climate change policy through its EU membership and the majority of environmental standards stem from EU law. The purpose of this inquiry is to examine what the United Kingdom's key interests are in shaping a new environment and climate change policy in advance of Brexit negotiations and the level of co-operation needed with the EU to achieve these aims.

The Committee will explore other issues such as what international obligations and commitments will be relevant for a future policy as well as to what extent the UK will continue to have an interest in aligning policy to the EU.

The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee will begin this work with two evidence sessions in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords.

The first session will examine what the UK's legislative position will be with regard to the environment and climate change after Brexit and how environmental protection can be enforced when the UK leaves the EU.

The second session will focus on the priorities for environmental policy after Brexit and whether there is a rationale for developing environmental policy in line with the EU.

At 10:30am the Committee will speak to:

• Professor Andy Jordan, University of East Anglia
• Professor Maria Lee, University College London
• Richard MacRory, University College London

The Committee is likely to ask:

• What are the opportunities and challenges for the UK's approach to environment and climate change arising from the UK exiting the EU? 
• Will the Great Repeal Bill have any particular complexities in relation to environmental legislation?
• What are the available models for enforcing environmental legislation effectively and ensuring Government's accountability after the UK's exit from the EU? 

At 11:45am the Committee will speak to:

• Leah Davis, Acting Director, Green Alliance
• Abi Bunker, Head of Policy and Advocacy, RSPB
• Trevor Hutchings, Director of UK and EU Advocacy, WWF
  

The Committee is likely to ask: 

• What are the most critical environment and climate policy regulations that the UK should preserve after Brexit?
• What action should the Government take to ensure adequate protection of the natural environment post-Brexit, both in the short and long term? 
• Will the environmental and climate change aspirations of the UK and the EU be similar following Brexit?

The evidence sessions will start at 10:30am on Wednesday 26 October. They will be held in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords.