Earlier today, the Government introduced the Environment Bill to Parliament.
This landmark Bill will tackle the biggest environmental priorities of our time, signalling a historic step change in the way we protect and enhance our precious natural environment.
The Bill will help ensure that we not only maintain but improve our environmental protections as we leave the EU. Environmental principles will be enshrined in law and measures will be introduced to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore habitats so plants and wildlife can thrive - with success for Robert's campaign for nature recovery networks, which are included in the Bill.
Legislation will also create legally-binding environmental improvement targets. A new independent Office for Environmental Protection will be established to scrutinise environmental policy and law, investigate complaints and take enforcement action against public authorities, if necessary, to uphold our environmental standards.
Robert, PPS at DEFRA, supported Ministers in introducing the Bill and will play a key role in its passage through Parliament.
Speaking after the Bill's publication, Robert said: "I am delighted to support this introduction of this crucial Bill. Our natural environment is a vital shared resource and the need to act to secure it for generations to come is clear.
"That’s why our landmark Environment Bill leads a green transformation that will help our country to thrive. It positions the UK as a world leader on improving air quality, environmental biodiversity, a more circular economy, and managing our precious water resources in a changing climate.
"Crucially, it also ensures that after Brexit, environmental ambition and accountability are placed more clearly than ever before at the heart of government, both now and in the future."
