Governance and Devolution Group (GDG)

Following the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 receiving Royal Assent, the UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. During the transition period until 31 December 2020, the future relationship between the UK and the EU is being negotiated. There are several factors that will significantly affect the development of environmental law across the UK from 1 February 2020 onwards:

• Environmental protection and standards, including the Environment Bill, the introduction of the Office for Environmental Protection and Environmental Standards Scotland. 
• Review of constitutional arrangements, including the role of the Supreme Court and that of Judicial Review.
• Devolution is likely to become a key issue in the development of environmental law across the UK, in lieu of the EU's overarching framework.

In light of this, UKELA's Brexit Task Force (BTF) was formally disbanded in February 2020. You can read about the extensive programme of activity undertaken by the BTF on our dedicated pages. In its place, the Governance and Devolution Group (GDG) has been established. Its role is to co-ordinate and lead UKELA’s work on environmental governance and devolution issues within a new, post-EU, environmental law and policy framework. You can read the Terms of Reference below.

The Co-Chairs of the GDG are Begonia Filgueira, Partner at Acuity Law and Angus Evers, Partner at Shoosmiths.

Terms of Reference

Governance and Devolution Group - Terms of Reference

Minutes of meetings

The GDG held its inaugural meeting on 8th July 2020. You can read the minutes below.

Minutes of meeting 8.7.2020

Consultation Responses and Submissions

The GDG made a submission to the Public Bill Committee in relation to the Environment Bill in July 2020. This will be published here once the committee gives permission for us to do so.

The GDG submitted written evidence to the House of Lords EU and Environment sub-committee inquiry set up to explore what is at stake on the environmental and climate level playing field in the UK-EU future relationship negotiations. You can read our submission below. Our comments were part of the committee's long letter to Defra, copied to BIES and the Cabinet Office.  Read the letter on the Parliament UK website below.

House of Lords EU and Environment Committee on level playing field - written evidence

Long letter to Defra on Parliament UK website