This Act includes of policies on the regulation and security of the energy market.
This includes licensing for carbon dioxide transport and storage and the production and transport of hydrogen. A new low-carbon heat scheme may be introduced. Powers allow the amendment of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and the energy performance of buildings regime.
This order will introduce vehicle emissions trading schemes for manufacturers of cars and vans. These will apply the government's zero emission vehicle mandate, which requires all new cars and vans to be zero emission in 2035.
Defra has confirmed that planned reforms to the waste carrier, broker and dealer registration system in England will go ahead. The new system will replace the existing carrier, broker and dealer terms with a ‘waste controller’ and ‘waste transporter’ role.
The existing registration approach will be replaced with 'standard rules' environmental permits or registered waste exemptions.
These regulations will amend the retained Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation (EU) 2019/1021.
“Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds" will be added to Annex I, which lists POPs that may not be manufactured, placed on the market or used.
This Act will require the government to review natural heritage areas. This review must include the matters stated, including carbon sequestration potential.
Once brought into force, the amendments will also require a National Biodiversity Action Plan and necessary supporting plans, programmes and strategies to be put into place.
This Act applies sustainable land management objectives and new Welsh subsidy system for agriculture.
Other changes will allow additional conditions to be applied on forestry felling licences, including to conserve or enhance the environment. Snares, other cable restraints and glue traps are banned from 17 October 2023.
These regulations will make a series of changes to the UK Emissions Trading System (UK ETS).
Aviation operators will be required to return excess allowances allocated. The limited range of circumstances where free allocations may be provided for electricity generators are expanded between 2026 and 2030.
These regulations implement the Windsor Framework with respect to exports of plants, seeds, seed potatoes and associated used agricultural or forestry machinery and vehicles from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
A Northern Ireland Plant Health Label (NIPHL) is now available for use where these goods are not to be exported again from Northern Ireland to the EU.