Environmental Policy Statement (England & Wales)
England & Wales — Environment Act 2021, Climate Change Act 2008 & EPA 1990
[Company Name]
Company Registration No. [Company Registration Number]
[Company Street], [Company City], [Company Postcode]
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY STATEMENT
Effective Date: [Policy Date]
1. COMPANY DETAILS
Organisation: [Company Name]
Company Registration Number: [Company Registration Number]
Registered Address: [Company Street], [Company City], [Company Postcode]
Industry Sector: [Industry Sector]
Environmental Manager: [Environmental Manager Name] ([Environmental Manager Email])
2. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY STATEMENT
2.1 [Company Name] (the "Company") is committed to protecting the environment, minimising the negative environmental impact of its operations in the [Industry Sector] sector, and contributing to the transition to a sustainable, net zero economy in line with the United Kingdom's obligations under the Climate Change Act 2008.
2.2 The Board of Directors of the Company recognises that environmental responsibility is not merely a legal obligation but a fundamental component of responsible business practice and long-term value creation. As required by section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, the directors have had regard to the impact of the Company's operations on the environment in fulfilling their duty to promote the success of the Company.
2.3 This Environmental Policy Statement (the "Policy") sets out the Company's environmental commitments, objectives, and the framework through which it will manage its environmental performance. This Policy applies to all operations, sites, employees, contractors, and supply chain activities of the Company.
2.4 This Policy has been approved by senior management and will be communicated to all employees, made available to interested parties, and reviewed at least annually to ensure its continued suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness.
3. SCOPE
3.1 This Policy applies to all activities, products, and services of [Company Name], including:
- all company-owned and leased premises;
- all operations carried out by employees, workers, and contractors on behalf of the Company;
- all products and services procured by the Company;
- all supply chain activities over which the Company has control or significant influence.
3.2 All employees, directors, officers, contractors, agency staff, and other persons engaged by the Company are required to comply with this Policy and to contribute to the achievement of the Company's environmental objectives.
4. LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS
4.1 The Company is committed to complying with all applicable environmental legislation, regulations, and guidance in England and Wales, including but not limited to:
- Environmental Protection Act 1990 — duty of care in relation to waste, pollution control, and statutory nuisance;
- Environment Act 2021 — biodiversity net gain, extended producer responsibility, water quality, air quality, and chemicals regulation;
- Climate Change Act 2008 — the UK's legally binding commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050;
- Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 — implementing the waste hierarchy of prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery, and disposal;
- Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 — environmental permits for regulated activities;
- Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) Regulations 2014 — mandatory energy audits for large undertakings;
- Companies Act 2006 — Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) obligations for quoted and large unquoted companies;
- Control of Pollution Act 1974 and Environmental Noise (Wales) Regulations 2006 — noise and air pollution control;
- Water Resources Act 1991 — prevention of water pollution.
4.2 The Company will maintain a legal register of all applicable environmental legislation, which will be reviewed and updated at least annually to capture changes in law and regulation.
5. ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND COMMITMENTS
5.1 The Company commits to the following environmental objectives: [Environmental Commitments].
5.2 Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) targets have been established for each commitment and are set out in the Sections below. Progress against all objectives will be monitored and reported to the Board of Directors on at least an annual basis.
5.3 The Company commits to the principle of continuous improvement in environmental performance and will implement action plans to address areas where targets are not being met.
6. CARBON EMISSIONS AND ENERGY
6.1 Carbon reduction target: [Carbon Reduction Target].
6.2 Energy efficiency measures: [Energy Efficiency Measures]
6.3 Where the Company is subject to the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) requirements under the Companies Act 2006, it will report its global energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in its Annual Report, including intensity ratios and a description of energy efficiency measures taken during the year.
6.4 Where the Company qualifies as a large undertaking under the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) Regulations 2014, it will ensure compliance with the mandatory four-yearly energy audit requirement and will act upon the recommendations arising from each ESOS assessment.
7. WASTE MANAGEMENT
7.1 Waste reduction target: [Waste Reduction Target].
7.2 The Company will manage waste in accordance with the waste hierarchy established by the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, which requires the following order of preference: (1) prevention; (2) preparation for reuse; (3) recycling; (4) other recovery; and (5) disposal.
7.3 The Company will fulfil its duty of care obligations under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in relation to all controlled waste produced in the course of its business activities. This includes ensuring that all waste is properly described, contained, and transferred only to authorised persons using compliant waste transfer notes.
7.4 The Company will maintain records of all waste transfers for a minimum of two years, as required by the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991, and will conduct periodic reviews of its waste contractors to ensure continued compliance.
7.5 The Company will reduce its use of single-use plastics in line with the Environment Act 2021 extended producer responsibility provisions and the UK Plastics Pact commitments where applicable.
8. WATER CONSERVATION
8.1 The Company is committed to the efficient use of water in all its operations. Water conservation is addressed as part of the Company's environmental commitments, and water consumption (measured in cubic metres) will be monitored and reported as a key environmental performance indicator.
8.2 The Company will implement water efficiency measures appropriate to its operations, which may include: installing water-efficient fixtures and fittings; monitoring water consumption through sub-metering where feasible; identifying and repairing leaks promptly; and training employees on water conservation practices.
8.3 The Company will comply with all obligations arising under the Water Resources Act 1991 and will ensure that no water course is polluted as a result of its operations. Any water discharge activities that require an environmental permit will be conducted in accordance with the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
9. SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT
9.1 [Sustainable Procurement]
9.2 The Company's procurement decisions will take into account the environmental policies and performance of suppliers and contractors. Where practicable, the Company will include environmental requirements in tender documents and supplier contracts and will require key suppliers to provide evidence of their environmental management arrangements.
10. BIODIVERSITY AND HABITAT ENHANCEMENT
10.1 The Company acknowledges the requirements of the Environment Act 2021 with respect to biodiversity net gain. Where the Company undertakes development activities or manages land, it will seek to achieve biodiversity net gain in accordance with Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as inserted by the Environment Act 2021).
10.2 The Company will take reasonable steps to protect and, where practicable, enhance local biodiversity and natural habitats in the vicinity of its operations, in accordance with section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, which imposes a duty to have regard to the purposes of conserving biodiversity on all public authorities.
10.3 Where applicable, the Company will prepare a Biodiversity Management Plan for any significant development or land-management activities, in accordance with guidance issued by Natural England and the Environment Act 2021.
11. POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL
11.1 The Company is committed to preventing pollution of air, water, and land as required by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. All operations that have the potential to cause pollution will be subject to appropriate pollution prevention controls, including containment measures, spill response procedures, and regular inspection and maintenance of plant and equipment.
11.2 Where the Company's operations require an environmental permit under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, the Company will ensure that all permit conditions are complied with and that any required monitoring data is submitted to the Environment Agency in accordance with permit requirements.
11.3 The Company will maintain spill kits and appropriate containment facilities at all sites where hazardous substances are stored or handled, in accordance with the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 and applicable HSE guidance.
12. TRAINING AND AWARENESS
12.1 [Environmental Training]
12.2 The Company recognises that achieving its environmental objectives requires the active participation of all employees. Environmental awareness and responsibility form part of the Company's organisational culture, and environmental performance will be considered in performance management and appraisal processes where appropriate.
13. COMPLIANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
13.1 [Compliance Monitoring]
13.2 The Company will cooperate fully with all relevant regulatory authorities, including the Environment Agency, Natural England, and the Health and Safety Executive, and will provide access to its premises, records, and personnel for the purpose of regulatory inspections and audits.
14. ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENT REPORTING
14.1 [Incidents Procedure]
14.2 The Company will maintain a register of all environmental incidents and near-misses. All significant environmental incidents will be investigated, and the findings and corrective actions arising from the investigation will be reported to the Board of Directors.
14.3 Employees who report environmental incidents or near-misses in good faith will not be subject to any detriment as a result of making such a report.
15. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
15.1 The Company is committed to the principle of continual environmental improvement. The Company will set annual environmental improvement targets, track performance against those targets, and report progress transparently to employees, clients, investors, and other stakeholders.
15.2 The Company will consider seeking certification to ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management Systems) or equivalent recognised environmental management standard, which provides a systematic framework for managing environmental risks and improving environmental performance.
15.3 The Company will benchmark its environmental performance against recognised industry standards and sector-specific guidance, including guidance published by the Environment Agency, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the relevant industry trade associations.
16. RESPONSIBILITIES
16.1 The Board of Directors is responsible for: approving this Environmental Policy Statement; ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to achieve the Company's environmental objectives; integrating environmental considerations into business strategy; and reporting on environmental performance in the Annual Report where required by law.
16.2 The Environmental Manager ([Environmental Manager Name], [Environmental Manager Email]) is responsible for: implementing this Policy across the organisation; maintaining the environmental legal register; coordinating environmental monitoring, auditing, and reporting; managing environmental incidents; and providing environmental training and awareness to employees.
16.3 Line managers are responsible for: ensuring that employees within their teams comply with this Policy; incorporating environmental responsibilities into employee objectives where appropriate; promptly reporting environmental incidents and concerns to the Environmental Manager; and leading by example in environmental matters.
16.4 All employees are responsible for: understanding and complying with this Policy; adopting environmentally responsible practices in their day-to-day work; participating in environmental training; and reporting any environmental concerns or incidents to their line manager or the Environmental Manager.
17. REVIEW AND REVISION
17.1 This Environmental Policy Statement will be reviewed by [Policy Owner] by [Review Date] and thereafter [Next Review Date], or sooner in the event of material changes to applicable environmental legislation, the Company's operations, or significant environmental incidents.
17.2 The outcome of each review will be reported to the Board of Directors, and any material changes to the Policy will be communicated to all employees and other relevant stakeholders.
17.3 Questions about this Policy should be directed to the Environmental Manager at [Environmental Manager Email].
18. APPROVAL AND AUTHORISATION
Policy Owner: [Policy Owner]
Approved By: [Approved By]
Date of Approval: [Approval Date]
Next Review Date: [Review Date]
Organisation: [Company Name]
Company Registration No.: [Company Registration Number]
Director / Senior Authorised Signatory
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
What Is a Environmental Policy Statement (England & Wales)?
An Environmental Policy Statement in the United Kingdom sets out the standards, responsibilities, and procedures the organisation expects everyone to follow, and is governed by the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The primary legislation governing environmental obligations for businesses in England and Wales includes the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which establishes the duty of care for waste management, pollution control, and statutory nuisance; the Environment Act 2021, which introduced biodiversity net gain obligations, new air quality targets, water quality provisions, extended producer responsibility for packaging and waste, and a strengthened framework for environmental governance; the Climate Change Act 2008, which establishes the UK's legally binding commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and creates the carbon budgeting system; the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, which implement the waste hierarchy of prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery, and disposal; and the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, which establish the environmental permit regime for regulated activities.
For larger organisations, additional obligations arise from the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) Regulations 2014, which require large undertakings (250 or more employees, or meeting the relevant turnover and balance sheet thresholds) to conduct mandatory four-yearly energy audits; and from the Efficient Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework under the Companies Act 2006, which requires quoted companies and large unquoted companies to report their energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency measures in their Annual Report.
An Environmental Policy Statement is also a mandatory requirement of ISO 14001:2015 certification, the internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems. ISO 14001 requires organisations to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an environmental management system, and a formal Environmental Policy is explicitly required by clause 5.2 of the standard. ISO 14001 certification is increasingly required by procurement clients in both the public and private sectors, making a well-drafted Environmental Policy Statement a commercial as well as a legal necessity.
The legal framework governing the Environmental Policy Statement (England & Wales) in United Kingdom draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. Parties executing a Environmental Policy Statement (England & Wales) in United Kingdom should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Companies Act 2006 sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Environmental Policy Statement (England & Wales)?
An Environmental Policy Statement is needed by businesses in England and Wales in a wide range of circumstances, driven by legal requirements, commercial pressures, and the growing expectations of investors, clients, and other parties.
You need an Environmental Policy Statement if your organisation is subject to the Efficient Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) requirements under the Companies Act 2006. SECR applies to quoted companies (those listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange or on certain overseas exchanges) and to large unquoted companies and large LLPs that meet at least two of the following criteria: turnover of at least £36 million, balance sheet total of at least £18 million, and at least 250 employees. These organisations must include quantitative energy and emissions data and a description of energy efficiency measures in their Directors' Report, and an Environmental Policy Statement provides the strategic framework within which those measures are designed and implemented.
You need an Environmental Policy Statement if your business holds, or intends to apply for, an environmental permit under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. Environmental permits are required for a wide range of industrial and waste management activities, and the Environment Agency assesses permit applicants' environmental management arrangements as part of the permitting process. A documented Environmental Policy Statement is evidence that the organisation has a systematic approach to environmental management.
You need an Environmental Policy Statement if your business is pursuing or maintaining ISO 14001:2015 certification. The standard explicitly requires a documented Environmental Policy as a prerequisite for certification, and the policy must be appropriate to the organisation's context, include a commitment to pollution prevention, legal compliance, and continual improvement, and be communicated to all persons working under the organisation's control.
You need an Environmental Policy Statement if your business is subject to the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) mandatory energy audit requirement. ESOS applies to large UK undertakings and requires a four-yearly energy audit of buildings, transport, and industrial operations. An Environmental Policy Statement that includes energy efficiency commitments demonstrates that the organisation is acting on ESOS audit recommendations.
You need an Environmental Policy Statement if your business carries out development activities or manages land that may be subject to the biodiversity net gain requirements introduced by the Environment Act 2021. These requirements, which came into force in November 2023 for major developments, require a measurable 10% net gain in biodiversity as a condition of planning permission.
Even where there is no specific legal trigger, an Environmental Policy Statement is increasingly expected by institutional investors under Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria; by supply chain customers who incorporate environmental requirements into their procurement processes; and by lenders and insurers who assess environmental risk as part of their underwriting criteria.
What to Include in Your Environmental Policy Statement (England & Wales)
A well-drafted Environmental Policy Statement for a business in England and Wales should address several essential components that reflect both the legal framework and accepted best practice in environmental management.
The policy statement itself is the starting point: a clear, senior-level commitment to protecting the environment, minimising the organisation's environmental impact, complying with applicable environmental legislation, and achieving continual improvement in environmental performance. Under section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, company directors have a statutory duty to have regard to the impact of the company's operations on the community and the environment. A signed Environmental Policy Statement is evidence that the directors have discharged this aspect of their duty.
The scope clause defines the extent of the policy, identifying the sites, operations, employees, contractors, and supply chain activities to which it applies. A clearly defined scope is essential for ISO 14001 certification and for demonstrating to regulators and parties that the policy is thorough rather than aspirational.
The legal compliance section should reference the specific legislation applicable to the organisation's operations, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (duty of care for waste), the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (permit conditions), the Environment Act 2021 (biodiversity net gain, extended producer responsibility), the Climate Change Act 2008 (net zero trajectory), and the ESOS and SECR frameworks where applicable. A commitment to maintaining a legal register of applicable environmental legislation is a best practice element that demonstrates systematic compliance management.
The environmental objectives and targets section is the heart of the policy. It should set out specific, measurable targets for each environmental commitment: a carbon reduction target aligned with the UK's net zero trajectory; a waste reduction and recycling target referenced to the waste hierarchy under the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011; water consumption targets; and biodiversity objectives aligned with the Environment Act 2021. Targets should be time-bound and should identify the baseline against which progress will be measured.
The monitoring and reporting section should describe how environmental performance will be measured against targets, how data will be collected and verified, how performance will be reported internally to the Board of Directors and externally under SECR or other reporting frameworks, and how the organisation will respond when targets are not met.
The incident reporting procedure is a legally important element. The Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, and the Water Resources Act 1991 each impose obligations to report certain environmental incidents to the Environment Agency and other regulatory authorities. The policy should establish a clear internal incident reporting procedure and identify who is responsible for making regulatory notifications.
The responsibilities section allocates environmental accountability across the organisation: the Board of Directors sets strategy and approves the policy; senior management allocates resources; the Environmental Manager implements the policy and manages performance; line managers confirm operational compliance; and all employees have a duty to comply with the policy and report concerns. Clear allocation of responsibility is essential for ISO 14001 certification and for demonstrating a systematic approach to environmental management to regulators, investors, and clients. The forms-legal.com Environmental Policy Statement (England & Wales) template covers the mandatory elements under Companies Act 2006.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Environmental Policy Statement (England & Wales) (United Kingdom) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/policies/environmental-policy-uk
"Environmental Policy Statement (England & Wales) (United Kingdom)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/policies/environmental-policy-uk.
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author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Environmental Policy Statement (England & Wales) (United Kingdom)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/policies/environmental-policy-uk}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Companies Act 2006}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
The legal requirement for an Environmental Policy Statement depends on the size, activities, and sector of the business. For large UK companies, Structured Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2018 requires quoted companies and large unquoted companies to disclose their energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency actions in their annual report. A company is 'large' for SECR purposes if it has a turnover of at least £36 million, a balance sheet total of at least £18 million, and at least 250 employees. For businesses subject to environmental permits under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, the Environment Agency may require evidence of an environmental management system as a permit condition. The Environment Act 2021 imposes biodiversity net gain obligations on developers, requiring them to demonstrate a 10% biodiversity net gain from new developments from November 2023. The ISO 14001:2015 standard for Environmental Management Systems, while not legally mandated, is widely required by procurement clients, investors, and insurers, and an Environmental Policy Statement is a foundational document for ISO 14001 certification. Even where there is no express legal requirement, a documented Environmental Policy Statement demonstrates the directors' compliance with their section 172 Companies Act 2006 duty to have regard to the impact of the company's activities on the environment and the community.
The Structured Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework was introduced by the Companies (Directors' Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018, which amend the Companies Act 2006. SECR applies to quoted companies (listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange or on certain overseas exchanges), large unquoted companies, and large LLPs. A company is large if it satisfies at least two of the following criteria: turnover greater than or equal to £36 million; balance sheet total greater than or equal to £18 million; and 250 or more employees. Quoted companies must disclose their global energy use (in kWh), their global greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2 as a minimum), at least one intensity ratio (such as emissions per employee or per square metre of floor space), and a description of the energy efficiency measures taken during the year. Large unquoted companies and large LLPs must disclose UK energy use (not global), UK Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, at least one intensity ratio, and energy efficiency measures. The methodology used to calculate emissions must be stated, and emissions must be reported using the greenhouse gas reporting protocol or equivalent. Reporting must be included in the company's Directors' Report (or equivalent for LLPs) and signed off by a director. The SECR framework replaced the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme and works alongside the separate mandatory Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS).
The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is a mandatory energy assessment scheme established by the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme Regulations 2014, which implement Article 8 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive as retained in UK law. ESOS applies to large undertakings in the UK, defined as organisations that employ 250 or more persons or that have an annual turnover in excess of 50 million euros and an annual balance sheet total in excess of 43 million euros. Large undertakings must conduct detailed ESOS energy audits of their buildings, industrial operations, and transport at least every four years and notify the Environment Agency of compliance. The audit must be carried out by a qualified Lead Assessor approved by a recognised professional body (such as CIBSE, EI, or IET). The ESOS audit identifies energy efficiency recommendations for each area of the business, but unlike the CRC scheme, ESOS does not require organisations to implement the recommendations — only to carry out the audit. However, many organisations use ESOS as a basis for setting energy reduction targets and investment decisions. Phase 3 of ESOS (covering the period to December 2023) required large undertakings to notify compliance to the Environment Agency by 5 June 2024. The ESOS Regulations were updated by the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2022 to strengthen requirements around net zero considerations. ESOS compliance should be referenced in the organisation's Environmental Policy Statement to demonstrate awareness of the legal framework.
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is a development approach that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than before a development took place. The Environment Act 2021 introduced a mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain requirement for most new developments in England, which took effect from November 2023 for major developments and from April 2024 for smaller developments, with nationally significant infrastructure projects following later. BNG is implemented through Schedule 7A to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (inserted by section 98 and Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021). Developers must demonstrate that their development will achieve at least a 10% net gain in biodiversity compared to the pre-development state, using the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric (currently version 4.0). This gain must be maintained for a minimum of 30 years, secured through a planning condition or biodiversity gain plan. BNG can be achieved on-site, off-site (through purchase of biodiversity units from a registered off-site provider), or through the purchase of statutory biodiversity credits from the government as a last resort. Businesses that carry out development activities, manage land, or operate in sectors with significant land-use implications (such as construction, agriculture, infrastructure, and utilities) should address biodiversity net gain in their Environmental Policy Statement and confirm that their development activities comply with the mandatory BNG requirements.
Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 imposes a statutory duty of care on any person who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats, or disposes of controlled waste, or who as a broker has control of such waste. Controlled waste includes household, industrial, and commercial waste arising from premises in England, Wales, and Scotland. The duty of care requires every person in the waste management chain to: prevent any other person contravening the prohibition in section 33 EPA 1990 on the unauthorised deposit, treatment, or disposal of waste; prevent the escape of waste from their control; and confirm that if the waste is transferred, it is transferred only to an authorised person (such as a registered waste carrier or a person exempt from registration) and accompanied by a written description of the waste (a waste transfer note). Waste transfer notes must be kept for at least two years. The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 (as amended) set out the detailed requirements for waste transfer notes and the information they must contain. Failure to comply with the duty of care is a criminal offence carrying an unlimited fine on conviction. The duty of care extends to checking the credentials of waste contractors: handing waste to a company that then disposes of it illegally will not necessarily discharge the duty of care if the company failed to take reasonable steps to check the contractor's authorisation.
The Climate Change Act 2008 established the UK's legally binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels, later increased to 100% (net zero) by the Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019, which amended section 1 of the Act. While the Act directly imposes obligations primarily on the government, it has significant indirect effects on businesses through the regulatory and policy environment it has generated. The Act establishes a five-yearly carbon budget system, with the Sixth Carbon Budget (2033-2037) requiring a 78% emissions reduction by 2035. To meet these budgets, the government has adopted a series of sector-specific decarbonisation strategies, including the Net Zero Strategy (2021), the Heat and Buildings Strategy, the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, and the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy, each of which imposes evolving requirements on businesses in those sectors. For businesses, the most direct regulatory manifestations of the Climate Change Act framework include: the UK Emissions Trading System (UK ETS), which replaced the EU ETS following Brexit and regulates large industrial emitters through carbon pricing; the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, which requires large energy suppliers to fund home insulation measures; mandatory SECR reporting under the Companies Act 2006; and the ESOS mandatory energy audit scheme.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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