The UK government promised to be "world-leading" on the environment after Brexit. Instead, it is dismantling key protections and letting our rivers, air, wildlife, and communities pay the price. From stripping away habitat protections for rare animals like red squirrels and dormice, to deleting air pollution laws, to lagging on recycling and clean water, the UK is slipping into a dangerous "race to the bottom."
Sign the petition to demand the UK government close these gaps and strengthen environmental protections.
Since Brexit, the EU has introduced 28 new or upgraded pieces of environmental legislation. The UK has adopted none of them, and has actively weakened four. This includes allowing developers to destroy habitats if they pay into a vague "nature fund," leaving us with fewer safeguards for wildlife and communities. Meanwhile, Europe is pushing ahead with stronger air and water protections, stricter rules on toxic chemicals, and tougher recycling standards.
The Office for Environmental Protection has already warned that the UK's changes amount to "regression." Labour pledged not to dilute standards, but has failed to act. If this continues, the UK risks becoming a dumping ground for polluting industries and substandard products, and losing irreplaceable species along the way.
This is not just about keeping pace with the EU. It's about protecting our air, water, wildlife, and future. The government must use its powers to lead – by restoring habitat protections, cleaning our rivers, tackling toxic chemicals, and building a truly circular economy.
Sign now to demand the UK government rectify this failure, strengthen protections, and put the environment first.
