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CommonsWays and Means resolutionView on Parliament.uk

Environment Bill

To make provision about targets, plans and policies for improving the natural environment; to make provision for the Office for Environmental Protection; to make provision about waste and resource efficiency; to make provision about air quality; to make provision for the recall of products that fail to meet environmental standards; to make provision about water; to make provision about nature and biodiversity; to make provision for conservation covenants; to make provision about the regulation of chemicals; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Last Updated

6 November 2019

In Plain English

AI-generated

The Environment Bill sets out targets, plans and policies to improve the natural environment and manage waste, air and water quality. It creates the Office for Environmental Protection and includes rules on chemical regulation, product recalls, and land protection through conservation covenants.

Key Points

  • Sets legally binding targets and plans to improve the natural environment and biodiversity.
  • Creates the Office for Environmental Protection to oversee compliance and enforcement.
  • Introduces rules on waste, resource efficiency and air and water quality, plus recall powers for failing products and regulation of chemicals.
  • Includes provisions on conservation covenants to protect land and biodiversity.
  • Currently at the Ways and Means stage in the Commons, with ongoing debates over Lords amendments.

Progress

The bill is at the Ways and Means stage in the Commons. After this, it will move to the Lords for consideration of amendments and final passage.

Voting

In recorded votes, the Commons repeatedly backed government motions to disagree with Lords amendments, with large majorities (around 290–309 Ayes to 174–185 No). Party lines were mixed, indicating cross-party support and opposition on different votes.

Who is affected?

Households and the general publicBusinesses (manufacturers, retailers, waste and water companies)Local authoritiesLandowners and farmersEnvironmental organisations and charitiesRegulators and public bodies (including the Office for Environmental Protection)The chemical industry

Generated 21 February 2026

How Parties Are Voting

Based on 19 recorded votes • Sorted by % Aye

Scottish National PartyGenerally For
6 / 0
IndependentMixed
27 / 16
Your PartyMixed
9 / 8
Labour (Co-op)Mixed
1336 / 1281
Social Democratic & Labour PartyMixed
10 / 10
ConservativeMixed
747 / 785
Liberal DemocratMixed
97 / 104
Reform UKMixed
40 / 45
Democratic Unionist PartyMixed
21 / 34
Plaid CymruMixed
8 / 14
Sinn FéinMixed
0 / 0
SpeakerMixed
0 / 0

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - Environment

1 Jan 1970
A General Election has been called and Parliament is no longer sitting. The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before Dissolution. This means the Bill will make no further progress.

Documents (8)

Notices of Amendments as at 31 October 2019
Amendment PaperCommons
1 Nov 2019
Speaker's Signed Certificate
English votes for English lawsCommons
30 Oct 2019
Notices of Amendments as at 29 October 2019
Amendment PaperCommons
30 Oct 2019
Briefing Paper on Second Reading
Briefing papersCommons
21 Oct 2019
Delegated Powers Memorandum from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Delegated Powers MemorandumCommons
15 Oct 2019
Human Rights Memorandum from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Human rights memorandumCommons
15 Oct 2019
Bill 003 EN 2019-20
Explanatory NotesCommons
15 Oct 2019
Bill 003 2019-20 (as introduced)
BillCommons
15 Oct 2019

Parliamentary Votes (19)