Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 15(Rev) of 2024–25

The Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill [HL] was introduced by Lord Krebs (Crossbench). First reading of the bill took place on 3 September 2024 and second reading is scheduled to take place on 18 October 2024. The bill would apply to England and Wales.  

Lord Krebs has argued creating a new legal requirement for public bodies to contribute towards the UK’s environmental targets is necessary given the significant contribution they make towards shaping environmental policies.   

The bill would apply to several regulators, including:  

• the Forestry Commission 

• the Environment Agency 

• the Marine Management Organisation 

• the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) 

• the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) 

• Natural England 

• the Office for Environmental Protection 

• National Highways  

It would also apply to other public bodies such as the Crown Estate, Network Rail and the UK Infrastructure Bank as well as local authorities, including county councils, district councils and combined authorities. National park authorities in England and Wales designated by government ministers using secondary legislation could also be included in the list of public bodies these provisions would apply to. The bill includes provisions to enable government ministers to add new public bodies to the list through secondary legislation.