This Act introduces Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs). Where implemented, EDPs will enable developers to discharge environmental obligations by contributing to the Nature Recovery Fund. Funds would then be used to address likely negative impacts on protected sites and species.
EDPs may also allow developers to avoid relevant ecological assessment and mitigation measures.
This Act amends consenting regimes for nationally significant infrastructure projects, electricity infrastructure and transport infrastructure. These changes aim to streamline the delivery of these projects, facilitating faster delivery.
The revisions made concern application information requirements, changes to consultation and greater flexibility.
This Regulation will apply obligations on the handling of plastic pellets across the supply chain, with the aim of achieving zero pellet losses.
Amongst other obligations, risk management plans will be required for installations handling plastic pellets. Additional obligations will apply to the carriage, packaging, shipment and maritime transport of plastic pellets.
The Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) of ISO 14001:2026 was in the approval phase at the time this update was prepared. The ISO 14001:2026 standard is expected to be published in the first half of 2026.
The updated standard is expected to further embed the life cycle perspective, require a management of change process for the Environmental Management System and mandate commitments on biodiversity, natural resources and climate change in the policy.
This Directive will establish a soil monitoring framework for all soils in the territory of EU Member States. Member States will be required to assess soil health, support soil resilience and identify and manage contaminated sites.
Regular soil assessments will be required and national registers will need to be established for potentially contaminated or contaminated sites.
These regulations will amend the Clean Heat Market Mechanism Regulations 2025. Low-carbon heat targets will increase from 1 April 2026.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme will become the only recognised certification standard.
The definition of a ‘hybrid heating system’ will also be updated so that systems combining a heat pump and a fossil fuel appliance are not required to provide hot water where the building does not need it.
These regulations will amend the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024.
Exemptions for charities have been clarified and new provisions will manage the transfer of obligations due to corporate mergers or changes in brand ownership.
Producers will also be able to offset fees for food-grade plastic packaging waste that is collected and recycled through a qualifying closed-loop system.
This order will amend the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 to make providing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings a regulated activity where they are likely to influence investment decisions.
Firms providing ESG ratings within this scope will be required to be authorised and supervised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
