Welcome to our December newsletter!

With just a few days left of 2025, we’re joining the throng in reflecting on the past year. At the core of our work is the pursuit of inspiration from across Europe to raise ambition in UK environment policy. It seems remarkable how far the dial has shifted on UK relations with the EU, with our annual conference providing the first platform for a UK minister to speak publicly on UK relations with the EU on the environment. Against the backdrop of the May Reset Summit, and even Ministers openly calling for a Customs Union in recent weeks, this change of relations has had one of the more profound (and hopefully positive) impacts on UK environment policy this year, from commitments to link emissions trading schemes to aligning on agri-food standards (including pesticides) with a veterinary agreement.

Earlier this month the Government’s new Environmental Improvement Plan, whilst receiving a mixed welcome, did see progress on air quality and chemicals standards, which we write about below. The interest in the state of cooperation between UK and the EU on environment policy continues to move up the agenda, with our proposal for an inquiry in 2026 into this area making the Environmental Audit Committee shortlist (of five) from over 200 proposals. Despite other positives in a sometimes fractious relationship (see the sandeels ruling), this has not stopped the Government from likely regression on nature protection via the now passed Planning and Infrastructure Act, threats to the UK’s commitment to the Aarhus Convention, and weakening of Biodiversity Net Gain – one of its flagship post-Brexit nature policies.

And the UK is not alone in looking to weaken environmental standards. EU proposals to 'simplify' the administrative burdens of several pieces of environment legislation including the Waste Framework Directive, Batteries Regulation, Industrial Emissions Directive and rules on environmental permitting were published on 10 December 2025.  Brief details can be found on the European Commission website here.

Amongst those wishes for the next year – will UK alignment with EU standards still seem as appealing? We’ll see you in the new year to keep track. Until then, have a good break!

Divergence Monitor

News: IEEP UK presents to EAC proposing inquiry on the state of UK-EU cooperation on the environment

On Wednesday 17 November, IEEP UK’s Ben Reynolds and David Baldock presented to the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) on our proposal for an inquiry on the state of UK-EU cooperation on the environment. This was submitted in response to ‘The Environment in Focus’: the EAC’s call for ideas for new inquiries focused on the environment, climate change and nature. With over 200 proposals submitted, IEEP UK’s proposal was one of only five to be shortlisted for consideration.

News: New EIP is a tentative first step towards UK-EU alignment on air quality

The Government's updated Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) includes a revised date for when air quality targets for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) will be met, matching the current EU target. IEEP UK called for the UK to align with the EU’s higher air quality standards in our latest State of Play Report, as part of our ongoing focus on tracking divergence of UK environmental policy from the EU after Brexit. The announcement that the Government has now committed to align with EU standards and timeframe for this key air pollutant is therefore welcome, although it marks only a small first step towards the broader improvements to air quality that we need. 

News: Revised EIP suggests closer future alignment with EU on chemicals

Earlier in December, the Government published its 2025 Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), which included new commitments on chemicals which suggest that the UK will move towards greater alignment with EU chemicals policy over the next few years. Specifically, it contains a commitment to reform UK REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) by December 2028 “in a way that is more aligned with our closest trading partners, especially the EU”.  

Other IEEP UK News

Report: Air Quality Policy in the UK and EU: State of Play

Our latest report provides a ‘state of play’ comparative assessment of EU/UK (England) air quality policy, identifying areas where alignment with the EU would mean better UK standards and provide a useful milestone towards achieving WHO guideline limits for major pollutants. Building upon some of IEEP UK’s recent work in this area, it examines developments around air quality legislation as well as those areas of policy which interact and intersect with it, including climate, transport, energy, industrial pollution control and land, agriculture and nature protection legislation.

Insight: The hidden ecological impacts of air pollution

The role of ambient outdoor air quality in human health is well known, with rising public awareness and regulatory moves to limit concentrations of key air pollutants. However, less attention has been given to the ecological impact of these pollutants and the opportunity for action on these to benefit people and planet. Christopher Crompton looks deeper into the impacts and co-benefits. 

IEEP UK Events and Webinars

We've got a busy schedule of webinars and in-person events planned for 2025, and look forward to sharing dates with you in the new year.

What we've been reading this month...

• Global Environment Outlook 7 (UNEP)

• Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025 (Defra)

• Criminal Catches: How to Stop the Supply of Illegal Seafood to the UK (Environmental Justice Foundation)

• Legal validity risks of delaying or weakening the EU Deforestation Regulation (ClientEarth)