In Focus
The new Labour government has committed to the expansion of offshore wind energy. This commitment has been welcomed by the offshore energy industry and by environmental organisations. However, concerns remain about how these plans might be achieved in practice while maintaining and improving the marine environment. This briefing considers some of the potential obstacles to achieving the expansion in offshore wind.
Research Briefing
Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of rechargeable battery and are used in a wide range of electrical devices worldwide. The Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL] would provide for regulations concerning the safe storage, use and disposal of such batteries in the UK. The bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Redesdale (Liberal Democrat). The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 6 September 2024.
In Focus
In recent years, concerns have been raised about declining populations of Atlantic salmon, with work taking place to address this issue. This briefing provides a summary of this policy area. It has been prepared ahead of Lord Forsyth of Drumlean’s (Conservative) 12 September 2024 debate on what steps the government is taking to protect Atlantic salmon populations.
In Focus
In 2022, the Conservative UK government joined an international agreement committing it to restoring 30% of the UK’s land and sea by 2030. The new Labour government has also committed to this “30 by 30” target. In 2023, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee reported that the UK was not on course to meet this target and offered several recommendations to the government on how this could be addressed.
In Focus
Modern methods of construction (MMC) refers to a range of building methods that are designed to be more efficient and effective than traditional construction techniques. The House of Lords Built Environment Committee was critical of the Conservative government’s approach to MMC and called for a coherent strategy to promote MMC use in housebuilding. The new Labour government has said it will publish a new long-term housing strategy in the coming months.
Research Briefing
The Crown Estate Bill [HL] is a government bill to widen the borrowing and investment powers of the Crown Estate. The government intends this will help speed up the development of offshore wind projects in seabed areas managed by the Crown Estate and deliver long-term financial returns to the taxpayer. It announced a partnership between the Crown Estate and Great British Energy on the same day it introduced the bill.
Research Briefing
Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering foreign affairs and international development for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
Research Briefing
Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering energy security, net zero, the environment and agriculture for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
Research Briefing
Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering science, technology and innovation for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
In Focus
In July 2023 the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee published a report into the impact of noise and light pollution on human health. It found that while there is some evidence that both noise and light pollution are harmful to humans, there are significant gaps in research and understanding. This briefing looks at the definitions of noise and light pollution, current legislation and guidelines, and the committee’s report and subsequent government response.
Research Briefing
The Commercial Organisations and Public Authorities Duty (Human Rights and Environment) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Young of Hornsey (Crossbench). It would place due diligence obligations concerning human rights and the environment on businesses and public sector bodies. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 10 May 2024.
Research Briefing
The Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative). It would provide for the extension of the maximum lease available to the Zoological Society of London for land in Regent’s Park used by London Zoo. The House of Commons has passed the bill and it has cross-party support. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 10 May 2024.
Research Briefing
The Pet Abduction Bill is a House of Commons private member’s bill. It would create two new offences of dog and cat abduction, and give ministers powers to create similar offences for other pet species. It has government and cross-party support.
In Focus
The UN recently published a toolkit for law enforcement officials to promote and protect human rights in the context of peaceful protests. It includes key principles for the use of digital technologies in relation to protests. This comes at a time when there are debates around the use of live facial recognition technology in public spaces by police in England and Wales. The government supports developing it as a crime-fighting tool, but others are concerned about its impact on privacy and other rights.
In Focus
A House of Lords special inquiry committee has recommended that the government proceeds with caution on the development and use of artificial intelligence in weapon systems. This includes adopting an operational definition for autonomous weapon systems and ensuring human control at all stages of such systems’ lifecycle. The government has committed to ensuring meaningful human control and accountability throughout the lifecycle of AI-enabled military systems, but not to adopting an operational definition.
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