9
Accepted
While the Plan sets out a whole-of-government commitment to improve the environment within a generation,...
Conclusion
While the Plan sets out a whole-of-government commitment to improve the environment within a generation, the existing arrangements for joint working between departments on environmental issues are patchy, with no clear indications of senior ownership of the Plan outside the Department and its own arms-length bodies.19 The Department was the only government department which specifically mentioned the Plan in its 2019 single departmental plan objectives.20 The Department has two oversight groups for its environmental work: a 25 Year Environment Plan Implementation Board, and a more senior and pre-existing Environment Committee, however these groups are ‘Defra-centric’, with no representation from delivery bodies outside the Department’s own group.21 The Department told us that its implementation board is a forum for its own work , and that, at a working level, it has a range of relationships to make progress with the responsibilities of other departments; but it accepted the need to do more to understand interdependencies and bring together departments with responsibilities under the Plan.22 It has since established a new cross-government board of lead directors- general from key delivery departments.23 The Department expects that the new cross- government board will build on existing relationships with other departments to follow up their responsibilities; hold other departments to account for their contributions; and map out the systems and interdependencies underpinning the Plan.24
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observations and confirms it has already established a new Cross-Government 25 Year Environment Plan Board. It commits to providing an initial assessment of the board's effectiveness by June 2021 and a fuller assessment by July 2022.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: June 2021 with an initial assessment, (and by July 2022 with a further, fuller assessment). 2.2 The department agrees to write to the Committee after six months with its first assessment of the effectiveness of the Cross-Government 25 Year Environment Plan Board. 2.3 The purpose of the Cross-Government Board is to focus directly on delivery of the ten goals set out in the Environment Plan. Given the long-term nature of environmental policies, and the corresponding lengthy lead-in time to develop such policies, the department also proposes reporting back to the Committee by July 2022 with a fuller assessment. 2.4 Only with every department working together to implement the Environment Plan and by aligning policy and resources can the government begin to shift the dial on the degradation of the natural environment. Trade-offs and opportunities that engage other government departments will be escalated to the Cross-Government Board. The Board will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating action to implement the Environment Plan and associated requirements under the Environment Bill. The Board will also assess and manage strategic risks and issues that may impair the government’s ability to achieve its domestic implementation of environmental goals.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Report
Fortieth Report - Achieving government’s long-term environmental goals
03 Feb 2021
HC 927
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
5.5 yrs
Report published
03 Feb 2021