Review of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP)
Category: Environment Briefing Notes Consultations
In July the new government outlined its five priorities for improving the environment:
- • clean up rivers, lakes and seas
- • create a roadmap to move Britain to a zero-waste economy
- • boost food security
- • ensure nature’s recovery
- • protect communities from the dangers of flooding.
Just before the summer recess the Government announced a rapid review of the EIP with the emphasis on collaboration and delivery. In September there was a very brief first phase consultation with stakeholders, asking for a short response to the overarching question “What key priorities (across policy, process, delivery, engagement) would you recommend government focuses on in a revised EIP to significantly improve the natural environment?”. ADEPT’s response can be found below.
We outlined the following key priorities for a revised EIP:
- • Greater emphasis on a place-based approach
- • Support for the development of Local EIPs to clarify the role of the local authority
- • Sufficient and sustainable funding for local authorities to play this role
- • Statutory duties and targeted funding for local authorities where appropriate
- • The EIP should be a framework for policy alignment across government strategies, departments, and funding streams
- • Green finance – building capacity to mobilise private investment at scale
- • Health and wellbeing
ADEPT and the LGA are both represented at Defra’s cross-sector Stakeholder Advisory Group that will help steer further engagement as the review progresses through the autumn. An update will be provided at the Environment Board meeting on 17th October.