UK ‘used to be a leader on climate’, lament European lawmakers

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Guardian or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A Guardian analysis reveals the UK's significant weakening of environmental regulations in areas like chemical control, climate policy, and water quality since Brexit, diverging from the EU's more stringent standards

🔭 The context: The EU has made notable strides in environmental protection, particularly in banning harmful pesticides, taxing carbon emissions, and improving air quality. This progress stands in contrast to the UK's retreat from such commitments post-Brexit

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The UK's departure from EU environmental standards could adversely affect both regional and global ecological well-being. Key issues like worsening water quality in the UK pose direct risks to public health and the environment.

⏭️ What's next: Further divergence is anticipated as the EU plans to introduce new regulations in areas like industrial emissions and waste recycling, potentially widening the environmental policy gap with the UK.

💬 One quote: Grace O’Sullivan, Irish MEP, remarks, "Both British and Irish people will bear the brunt of the UK government’s poor environmental record."

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