Archive: Environment And Rural Affairs

Friends of the Earth: Reforms allowing floodplain construction must be dropped

Friends of the Earth's director of policy and campaigns Craig Bennett responds to the public accounts committee's report on flood management in England, which warns of uncertainty about who will pay:

MPs: Flooding responsibility question-marks are unacceptable

Insurers: Safety net needed for flooding risk

Guarded welcome for planning reforms

MPs: Flooding responsibility question-marks are unacceptable

The public accounts committee's chair Margaret Hodge explains the thinking behind its report on flood management:

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Insurers: Safety net needed for flooding risk

The Association of British Insurers' director-general Otto Thoresen outlines the industry's problems with regard to flooding risk:

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Government's green credentials put to the test

Publication of the natural environment white paper due today

David Cameron's promise to lead the greenest government ever is to be tested later today with the publication of the natural environment white paper.

Lukewarm reception for nature white paper

Caroline Spelman's nature white paper is not universally popular

Caroline Spelman launched the much anticipated 'Natural Choice' white paper today to a mooted reaction from environment groups.

'Slipper skippers' threaten fishing industry

Fishing quotas are at risk according to an inquiry

Fishermen's livelihoods are at risk from "slipper skippers" and organisations selling fishing quota as a commodity, MPs warned today.

Officials put price on nature's value

Government report attempts to place a value on nature

Government officials have attempted to quantify the value of nature to the UK economy in an independent report out today.

Record emissions prompt climate change warning

Four-fifths of emissions are already 'locked in'

Britain may have to double its investments in cutting carbon emissions to up to two per cent of GDP, Nicholas Stern has warned.

Coalition's carbon cuts contain get-out clause

Will coalition really match David Cameron's promise to be `greenest government ever`?

Ministers could reverse their commitment by cutting carbon emissions to match the EU, Chris Huhne has told MPs.

Ministers refusing to define sustainable development in law

Sustainable development not yet on the face of the localism bill

Ministers' refusal to define sustainable development in legislation is set to prompt a Commons vote later.

Cabinet showdown looms over carbon emissions

UK has pledged to cut emissions by 80% by 2050

Ministers face the first major test of their environmental credentials as they discuss whether to accept an independent committee's advice.

Cabinet splits over carbon budgets

Cabinet unity on carbon emissions could be ending

Chris Huhne faces opposition from other government departments over plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, according to reports.

Spelman: We'll still sell off the forests

Caroline Spelman told MPs she expected 15% of UK woodland would still be sold off.

Caroline Spelman still hopes to sell off a chunk of England's forests, she has admitted to MPs, despite February's embarrassing U-turn on the issue.

Solar shakeup set to disappoint campaigners

Fast-track review could undermine solar energy growth

Fears are growing that the coalition could scrap existing plans to facilitate the development of solar power.

Govt turns a new page on green policy

The government will introduce a carbon floor by April.

The government will unveil plans to push the UK towards a green economy today, amid accusations that it lacks a substantial environmental agenda.

Climate change 'demands new diplomacy'

John Ashton said climate change was a `ticking clock`

A new "politics driven" diplomatic approach is required to tackle global warming, the Foreign Office's special representative for climate change said yesterday.

Govt cancels forests sell-off in dramatic U-turn

London's bid to sell-off English forests was doomed to failure

The government has cancelled plans to sell off English forests following a successful and well-organised public campaign.

Govt signals U-turn on forest sell-off

Government plans to sell the UK's forests have been met with fierce opposition

There are firm signs of a U-turn on plans to sell-off England's forests, triggering celebrations among campaigners.

Lib Dems nervy over forest plans

Govt plans new approach to England's forests

Nine Liberal Democrat MPs have called on the coalition to "reconsider" its plans to sell off the country's forests.

MPs warn of flood defence funding gap

Cuts to Defra raise concerns over flood defences

Cuts to funding for flood defences could leave five million properties temporarily at risk, MPs have claimed.

Race against time: Campaigners fight clocks going back

Daylight savings bill has its second reading on December 3rd

An MP's proposed bill to stop the clocks going back is gathering "enormous" cross-party support, Rebecca Harris has claimed.

Audio: Rebecca Harris on daylight saving bill

Conservative backbencher Rebecca Harris outlines the advantages of stopping putting the clocks back every winter:

Climate change deal 'several years away'

The legally binding treaty which many had hoped would be achieved at last year's Copenhagen summit will not be achieved for several years, an expert has warned.