Waste Sector Highlights the Urgent Need for Resources to Overcome Environmental Challenges and Contribute to Economic Development.
The Environmental Services Association (ESA) has issued a stark warning that the waste sector's potential to drive economic growth remains at risk unless substantial resources are allocated to the Environment Agency (EA).
Despite expressing support for elements of the Growth Plan, the ESA emphasised the crucial requirement for definitive guidance on waste policies from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
Following Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget announcement, Executive Director Jacob Hayler acknowledged positive aspects of the Growth Plan but stressed the imperative of addressing issues within the environmental permitting system. Hayler stated, "...unless EA resourcing and subsequent permitting performance can be drastically improved."
Insufficient funding for the EA has raised concerns about potential unchecked criminal activities within the sector, including the absence of preventive measures like electronic waste tracking. The delays in implementing the deposit return scheme, extended producer responsibility, and consistent kerbside collections have left businesses hesitant to make long-term plans in the waste management sector.
Hayler urged Defra to provide conclusive details on the long-promised resources and waste strategy to unlock the next phase of investment from the sector across the UK. While welcoming the Government's energy bill relief scheme, the ESA emphasised the need for sustained market interventions to yield long-term benefits.
The ESA commended the Government's commitment to infrastructure development but stressed the urgency of addressing environmental challenges. Regulatory changes affecting projects like the carbon capture, utilisation, and storage initiatives in the Hynet and East Coast clusters were highlighted as essential for sustainable growth.
The growth policy paper's listed projects, particularly those involving energy recovery, were seen as critical components of the sector's future development.
A message from our sponsors, The Ideas Distillery:
If you would like to look at how to implement an ISO 14001 environmental management system, then simply contact us.
Or, if you want to see what's involved in more detail, then get a completely free, no obligation, totally tailored ISO Gap Analysis for your business (only available to UK businesses).
Komentáře