The EU has not escaped criticism on its environmental policies, but as in so many other areas of its remit, the net results were a significant benefit.
Thirty years ago Britain had the highest sulphur dioxide emissions in the EU as well as shocking water pollution around our coastline – we were considered the dirty man of Europe. So while land subsidies and fishing quotas, which are two areas that have attracted criticism on environmental grounds, are still undergoing reform, there is no doubt that our water and air is far cleaner today thanks to EU law.
Optimists see Brexit as an opportunity to retain existing EU environmental law and cherry pick future legislation in this area to our best advantage. This overlooks the fact that the British government has faced legal action over failure to meet its obligations under EU air quality. Without the legal pressures brought to bear by EU membership, it is questionable whether policy-makers will make the effort (and find the budgets) necessary to safeguard the environment as they must.
Most importantly is climate change and the question of whether we will continue to adhere to the minimum goals set by the EU.
Much depends on the degree of turbulence suffered by our economy. In periods of recession, focus invariably moves away from environmental protection. Of one thing we can be certain. We are living in interesting times.
David Futter
Actually quite a lot of more recent environmental legislation has been heavily influenced by the UK Environment Agency; and of course since there is no such thing as an EU law; all the statutes were actually put in place by Westminster; we just have to make sure they don’t get unpicked. The same (and more) is true of Health and Safety Law, where The UK H&S at Work act (1971) is seen as the gold standard throughout Europe. and which the EU eventually began to adopt in the 1990s. Of course the UK Health and Safety Executive has now been so decimated by cuts it is struggling to meet demands for its services (which it now has to charge for) http://www.prospect.org.uk/at-work/health-and-safety/blog/2213.
James Jacques
There is some nice information on how Germany influenced the efficiency ratings of cars, demonstrated with a Tank, a Mercedes and a Fiat in this documentary. Seems like they wanted to protect their exports rather than the environment to be honest.
https://youtu.be/dbtffWmMppI
Inah Villanueva
People have said that the UK’s decision to leave the EU are bound to affect its environmental policies in a negative way. Apparently being in the EU significantly benefits a countries environment. But water pollution is still rampant across Europe. Despite the extensive actions being taken. The UK can still build and implement their own policies against pollution – including water pollution. They have no other choice to be honest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xsvBdGq8Ig&list=PLI3_tjTmqPzkHxik_J3NHiTMBueumrr6g&index=5