New Bill seeks to make public bodies support the delivery of green goals

Public bodies including Ofwat would have a statutory objective to support national green targets under legislation introduced in Parliament last week.  

Crossbench peer Lord Krebs introduced the Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill, which makes 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; and places a duty on public bodies to meet this objective in the exercise of their functions.

If passed, the Bill would drive action and investment in nature, and would apply to over 40 government departments and agencies, as well as councils.

Environmental NGOs called on peers to back the Bill.