Welcome to our February newsletter!

As we see signs of the new Spring in every bud and warmer day following one of the wettest Februaries in memory, so too do we look for tangible proof of the thawing of the UK’s relationship with the EU. Nowhere was this more evident than in IEEP UK’s event held earlier this month with the EU Delegation and British Academy, where I had the pleasure of chairing a session with Commissioner Roswall and Minister Creagh, amongst other stellar speakers and guests, where we explored the parallel approaches to catalysing a circular economy. This is a topic that both Minister and Commissioner were clearly passionate and comfortable to talk off script about, also showing a demonstrable warmth to each other when discussing cooperation. The Commissioner’s visit was something of a landmark as it was the first time these environmental counterparts had shared a stage, and the first since Brexit for those in their position.

And for us it was a particularly poignant occasion: marking the start of the 50^th anniversary of IEEP, the family of which IEEP UK is part. Whilst IEEP has worked across many European nations over the decades, a significant period of its history has been based in the UK, mirroring the role the UK has played in the EU, and still plays outside, in a shared and interwoven history of environmental policy and ambition. And looking forward to the next UK-EU Reset meeting, as we did in our recent webinar, these occasions for formal and less formal interaction between political and expert voices on the environment can only help to ensure that the Reset delivers on the promises made last May, and pave the way for cooperation beyond.

Divergence Monitor

Event Recap: Is the UK-EU Reset on track for the environment?

On 5 February 2026, IEEP UK hosted a webinar on the progress made so far on the environmental commitments undertaken as part of the UK-EU Reset. Taking place just a few hours after the publication of an EFRA Committee report on the Government’s negotiations with the EU over a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, and featuring chair of the EFRA committee Alistair Carmichael MP, this timely discussion also explored expectations for future Reset talks in 2026. For key takeaways from the event as well as the full recording, click below.

Insight: UK-EU divergence on tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing refers to fishing activities conducted in contravention of national, regional and international rules and obligations, with serious consequences for marine ecosystems and food security. Following its exit from the EU, the UK retained legislation aimed at protecting its market from IUU fishing-related imports, but is now falling behind the EU in strengthening and expanding these protections. Given that the UK is highly dependent on imported seafood – which represents an estimated 81% of our total seafood consumption – this divergence creates a risk of products linked to this destructive practice entering the UK marketplace.

News: Ten EU-banned pesticides remain in use across Great Britain

A recent report by Unearthed, the investigative unit of Greenpeace, has found that ten substances that are banned in the EU due to their damaging effects on human health and the environment continue to be used on crops across Great Britain. Dynamic alignment on pesticide standards is set to be a key aspect of the SPS agreement between the UK and EU that is currently under negotiation as part of the wider UK-EU Reset. This agreement could include a relatively quick UK ban – potentially as soon as 2027 – on these currently permitted substances, in order to bring the UK into alignment with EU rules.

Other IEEP UK News

Insight: From vision to impact: 50 years of IEEP

This year, IEEP turns 50! To celebrate this extraordinary milestone, throughout 2026 we will retrace IEEP’s long history, highlight key moments in EU policymaking, and showcase our influence and impact on some of the most critical events, with the support of current and past friends, colleagues, and supporters. In this first blog, Honorary Fellow & Founding Director of IEEP London, Nigel Haigh OBE, and Executive Director of our sister organisation in Brussels, Antoine Oger, talk about the origins of IEEP and reflect on the challenges to come.

Event recap: Delivering growth across Europe through a circular economy

On 11 February 2026, IEEP UK together with the EU Delegation to the United Kingdom and the British Academy hosted ‘Delivering growth across Europe through a circular economy’, a partnership event and reception which featured the EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, and the UK Government’s Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh CBE MP, who holds the circular economy brief. For an overview and photos from the event, click below.

News: UK Government publishes PFAS action plan

On 3 February, Defra published a new PFAS action plan, in line with the commitments made in the UK Government’s 2025 Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). Acknowledging the need to act to contain the risks posed by PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) to human health, wildlife and the natural environment, the document sets out, for the first time, a plan aimed at understanding, managing and reducing exposure to these substances.

Window on Europe

Window on Europe: What can France teach us about indoor air quality monitoring for public health?

In our monthly series, Window on Europe, we shine a light on the best policy ideas coming from the rest of Europe, and look at the lessons for the United Kingdom. While the EU lacks a uniform directive on indoor air quality, some individual member states have undertaken national initiatives to progress policy in this area. In this piece, Christopher Crompton explores lessons from France’s legislation on mandatory monitoring of air pollution in public buildings.

Events and Webinars

Taking place on the 21 April in Brussels, IEEP’s Think2030 Conference –celebrating IEEP's 50th anniversary – will reflect on fifty years of EU environmental policymaking while looking decisively to the future. Together with Think Sustainable Europe, the IEEP network of think tanks, and other partners, the conference will welcome decision-makers, environmental experts, industry and civil society.

A highlight will be the participation of Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, whose keynote speech and panel contribution will set the strategic frame for discussions on how Europe can align environmental ambition with economic transformation, social fairness and global responsibility.

The event will deliver policy insights and recommendations on the key environmental priorities of the Cyprus Presidency to promote EU leadership on sustainability, resilience and competitiveness. To register your interest in attending, please click below.

On 23 April, from 15:00-16:30 UK time, IEEP UK will be hosting a webinar on UK air quality standards and the potential for alignment with WHO guidelines. This event has been postponed from its original date of 26 February.

Brexit has afforded Britain legislative independence from the EU on air quality regulation, but as our recent IEEP UK report highlighted, we are subsequently falling behind Europe on key pollutants. However, the increasing role of devolved governments in defining air quality policy has already shown how the individual nations of the UK can take it upon themselves to lead the way.

For this event we will be joined by Dr Neil Rowland, Senior Research Fellow at Queen's Business School, Queen's University Belfast and UKRI Regional Clean Air Champion for Northern Ireland; Chiara Antonelli, Lead for Economic and Social Dimensions of Climate Policy at IEEP; and Christopher Crompton, Senior Policy Analyst, Air Quality at IEEP UK. Further panellists will be announced in due course.

You can find out more details and sign up to attend by following this link, or by clicking the button below:

What we've been reading this month...

• The national security assessment on ecosystem collapse is a government wake-up call (Green Alliance)

• UK-EU agritrade: making an SPS agreement work (EFRA Committee)

• Is the EU CBAM drifting off the climate policy track? (IEEP)

• "We must act now" - Friends of the Earth Cymru publish new environmental data (Brecon & Radnor Express)