Dog owner fined for chopping down historic apple trees ‘making pet sick and attracting wasps’ – The Independent

Posted December 4th, 2023 in environmental protection, fines, local government, news, trees by tracey

‘A dog owner illegally chopped down three apple trees in his back garden because he said the fallen fruit was making his pet sick and attracting wasps.’

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The Independent, 2nd December 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Chris Packham launches legal challenge over UK’s watering down of climate policies – The Guardian

‘Chris Packham has filed a high court legal challenge to the UK government over its decision to weaken key climate policies.’

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The Guardian, 4th December 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Biodiversity net gain and planning permission – Local Government Lawyer

‘A refusal of planning permission for a quarry has been quashed over an error on biodiversity net gain. Jenny Wigley KC looks at the lessons from the case.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 1st December 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Coal: UK’s last opencast mine shuts after legal row – BBC News

Posted November 30th, 2023 in energy, environmental protection, miners, news, waste by sally

‘The UK’s last opencast coalmine will close later as fears mount over whether the massive site will be restored.’

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BBC News, 30th November 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Elf Bar vape adverts banned in UK over ‘greener’ recycling claims – The Guardian

Posted November 29th, 2023 in advertising, complaints, environmental protection, news, ombudsmen, pollution by sally

‘Adverts for the vaping company Elf Bar have been banned after using the slogan “recycling for a greener future” over concern they were misleading because of the environmental damage of discarded vapes.’

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The Guardian, 29th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Permitted development and the Habitats Regulations 2017 – Local Government Lawyer

‘Anne Gerzon explains how the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 apply to the deemed grant of planning permission set out in the General Permitted Development Order 2015.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 24th November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

How new UK laws affect ‘nationally significant infrastructure projects’ – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 23rd, 2023 in consultations, energy, environmental protection, news, planning by sally

‘Major new legislation recently enacted in the UK will impact developers seeking to deliver “nationally significant infrastructure projects” (NSIPs) in the years ahead.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 22nd November 2023

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Defra’s failure to protect and restore water bodies ‘unlawful’, high court rules – The Guardian

‘The government and environment agency failed in their duty to restore and protect waterways from pollution, the high court has ruled in a significant case that could force an overhaul of the government’s plans.’

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The Guardian, 20th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Just Stop Oil protesters’ jail terms potentially breach international law, UN expert says – The Guardian

‘Long sentences handed to two Just Stop Oil protesters for scaling the M25 bridge over the Thames are a potential breach of international law and risk silencing public concerns about the environment, a UN expert has said.’

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The Guardian, 20th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Jury clears climate protesters of causing damage to HSBC London HQ – The Guardian

Posted November 17th, 2023 in banking, climate change, criminal damage, environmental protection, news by tracey

‘Nine climate protesters have been cleared by a jury of causing £500,000 worth of criminal damage to the windows at the headquarters of HSBC bank in London.’

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The Guardian, 16th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

A Change of Climate for Trustee Investment Duties? – Pensions Barrister

Posted November 16th, 2023 in chambers articles, climate change, environmental protection, news, pensions by sally

‘Following the recent fine ordered by tPR in respect of ExxonMobil Pension Plan for breach of the OPS (Climate Change Governance and Reporting) Regs 2021, James McCreath of Wilberforce Chambers considers how the increasing pressure on schemes to advance environmental causes hangs together with trustees’ investments duties.’

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Pensions Barrister, 16th November 2023

Source: www.pensionsbarrister.com

Government plan to use biomass in breach of Climate Change Act, charity argues – Local Government Lawyer

‘A charity is threatening the Government with a judicial review over its biomass strategy, arguing that the plan, which is part of the effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions, is in breach of the Climate Change Act 2008.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 15th November 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Marine Environmental Law in the UK: Overview of Current and Proposed Steps – Francis Taylor Building

‘The marine environment is important in many ways. It is vital, therefore, that it is protected. This article explores the current policy and targets in relation to the marine environment around England, both in respect of nature protection and recovery, and targets for renewable energy. It then discusses mechanisms to meet these targets and how these will potentially work together.’

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Francis Taylor Building, 25th October 2023

Source: www.ftbchambers.co.uk

Environmental Law News Update – Six Pump Court

‘“The absence of a suitable test or target for the reduction of Scope 3 emissions”: High Court challenge fails, and the Government Calls for Evidence”.’

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Six Pump Court, 31st October 2023

Source: 6pumpcourt.co.uk

River Wye: Judicial review granted over agricultural pollution – BBC News

‘A judge has granted a judicial review into the way the Environment Agency (EA) in England enforces agricultural pollution laws.’

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BBC News, 20th October 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

“Relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid cab-rank rule – Legal Futures

‘It seems “relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid the cab-rank rule by relying on exemptions, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has said.’

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Legal Futures, 17th October 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Warminster delivery driver fined £4,560 for fly-tipping – BBC News

Posted October 13th, 2023 in environmental health, environmental protection, fines, news, waste by tracey

‘A delivery driver has been issued with a £4,560 fine for fly-tipping.’

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BBC News, 13th October 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

ESG for Employers – Kingsley Napley

“Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) matters are growing in importance for all organisations. Aside from the moral reasons putting these issues high on the agenda, an organisation’s ESG standing/rating can have a huge impact on its performance, as well as its ability to attract and retain talent, investors, customers and clients. ESG matters can also have potential legal and regulatory consequences.”

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Kingsley Napley, 5th October 2023

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

High Court rules on legal challenge to Government’s Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan – Garden Court Chambers

Posted October 5th, 2023 in chambers articles, environmental protection, human rights, news, water by sally

‘In this judgment, Mr Justice Holgate addressed a challenge brought by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), Richard Haward’s Oysters and Hugo Tagholm against the Government’s Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan (the Plan).’

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Garden Court Chambers, 15th September 2023

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Targets for reduction in sewage outflow not unlawful, says High Court – UK Human Rights Blog

‘The King (on the application of Wildfish Conservation v Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency (Defendant) and the Water Services Regulation Authority (Interested Parties) [2023] EWHC 2285 (Admin). In 2022, there were over three hundred thousand incidents of overflow into coastal waters, freshwater rivers and estuaries from sewerage works in the UK, following heavy rainfall. The most common cause of the overflows studied was rainwater entering sewers with insufficient capacity.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 28th September 2023

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com