Fortieth Report - Achieving government’s long-term environmental goals

The government accepted both parts of the recommendation, confirming the Permanent Secretary had written to the committee about the interim OEP setup and that the OEP will have a mandate to report directly to Parliament.

The government agrees with the committee's observations on missed targets and commits to laying new long-term environmental targets by October 2022, with interim targets in a revised Environment Plan by January 2023. It also aims to finalise all 66 outcome indicators by 2024.

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.

The government accepted the recommendation, committing to establish a robust framework through the Environment Bill for developing the economic case for environmental targets, and will publish determined costs by October 2022.

The government agrees to the recommendation, stating it is working to understand and develop required skills and will develop a wider skills and capability plan to ensure organisations have the necessary expertise and resources for environmental goals.

The government agrees, outlining that HM Treasury requires departments to assess environmental impacts during spending reviews via the Green Book, continuously updates guidance, and is reviewing learning from the 2020 Spending Review to consider publishing additional information.

The government agrees and outlines existing processes such as the Green Book for assessing environmental impacts, noting continuous improvements and an ongoing review of the environmental discount rate, while considering publishing additional information after the next spending review.

The government agrees to integrate environmental considerations further into spending reviews by continuously improving the Green Book, conducting a review of the environmental discount rate, and considering additional publication of information on environmental impacts after the next spending review.

The government agrees and will set up the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) in interim form from July 2021, led by the Chair-designate and other directors, to begin functions like receiving complaints and developing strategy before the Environment Bill's Royal Assent.

The government agrees, stating it is setting up the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) in interim form from July 2021, outlining its functions and ensuring it can use its full powers upon Royal Assent.

The government confirms the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) will be operationally independent, reporting to Parliament on its functions and findings, despite being accountable to Ministers, and is establishing the OEP in interim form from July 2021.