Blog: Turning Ambition into Action: Delivering on 2025 Environmental Goals
Turning Ambition into Action: Delivering on 2025 Environmental Goals
2025 is set to see a number of reforms and policy updates in relation to the environment, an overhaul of planning and infrastructure, and streamlining of local government. This includes a National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), with the aim of reducing red tape to provide new homes, commercial development and promote sustainable infrastructure. Local Nature Recovery Strategies are also expected to be in place across the whole of England by March 2025.
Additionally, a Circular Economy Taskforce was established by the Government towards the end of last year to help put the mechanisms in place to create a circular economy strategy for England.
The practical translation of how these plans are put into effective action remains to be seen. For policies to be successful, several elements need to be in place including:
1. Engagement of front line implementors: How organisations, such as skip operators and recycling and waste management businesses, that are not on the taskforce engage on the development of the strategy remains to be seen. There needs to be avenues for them to provide input into planning and policy reforms, as these are the people that will be implementing and delivering on goals.
2. Suitable structures in place. To make green infrastructure projects and planning policies work, there must be the right mechanisms and funding in place at operational and local level. After all, its regional businesses and local government that will be tasked into turning this ambition into reality. We need clearer and simpler application of environmental regulations, to act swiftly and effectively to protect resources, the environment and address climate change.
Businesses and developers often face unclear guidance and communication, with challenges presented in red tape, including the environmental permitting process. Increased support for local planning authorities is also essential to advance these new policies. However, research indicates they currently lack sufficient capacity to implement environmental reforms, like Biodiversity Net Gain regulations, effectively.
3. Multiple measures need a cohesive strategy: Policies across various departments and sectors need to be aligned and co-ordinated for a cohesive environmental strategy. In fact, a new report ‘The Nexus Assessment’ from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) raises concerns that what it terms “Fragmented governance” between biodiversity, climate change, food, water, and health is putting all of those systems at risk.
4. Low cost, low risk carbon solutions: Adopting advanced innovations, like carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) systems, can be an expensive undertaking for businesses, especially in the cement and low carbon construction products sectors. This can make organisations hesitant to allocate resources to them at this point, and with shifting environmental regulations, businesses may view this investment as risky and premature. Affordable and low-risk carbon solutions, therefore, need to be made accessible to businesses.
With this in mind, we’ve developed Bio Mineral and Clay Mineral formulations, specifically manufactured for use in biodiversity projects and sustainable construction. These are a low-cost way of reducing carbon emissions and improve resource efficiency, whilst helping the construction sector overcome the challenges arising from soaring costs of goods. The mineral rich, clay-like compositions are repurposed from discarded materials from construction and demolition projects, diverting waste from landfill.
For more information about our range of sustainable mineral products and biodiversity solutions email enquiries@minore.co.uk or visit www.minore.co.uk
