Devolved governments unite over climate threats

The Scottish and Welsh environment ministers have pledged to work together to resist the UK government’s “attempt to take control of devolved powers”.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham will meet her Welsh counterpart Lesley Griffiths in Cardiff to discuss their concerns that the EU Withdrawal Bill will damage efforts to protect and enhance the environment.

Ms Cunningham will outline her fears that areas such as climate change and the circular economy, where the Scottish government has set itself more ambitious targets than the UK government, will suffer if UK-wide policies are imposed rather than negotiated.

Around 80 per cent of Scots environmental law originates at EU level. This includes legislation around waste management, pollution and regulations, biodiversity, flooding and drink water quality.

Ms Cunningham said: “Imposing a UK-wide framework for the environment risks undermining the significant progress Scotland has made, which has seen us win international recognition for our work on climate change and the circular economy.

“We are not opposed in principle to UK-wide frameworks in certain areas but this must be through agreement - not imposition.

“Protecting devolution will allow us to drive forward our ambitious work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance environmental standards and create a cleaner, greener Scotland for everyone.”