Sara Priestley

A Library Briefing Paper on COP 26. This paper covers the lead up to the conference; the Government's ongoing preparations for COP 26; and key Parliamentary scrutiny and stakeholder commentary. Information on other key international conferences on biodiversity and oceans is also included. It will be updated periodically to reflect developments throughout 2020/21.

A House of Commons Library Briefing Paper providing an overview of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for shale in the UK, including the latest UK Government moratorium for England, the approach in the devolved Administrations, the regulatory regime (petroleum exploration and development licences, environmental, planning, health and safety), and information on seismic events.

A collection of overarching climate change-related briefings and publications.

A Commons Library Briefing on carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS), providing information on the processes involved; key benefits and challenges; Government policy and Parliamentary scrutiny.

A Commons Library analysis of the Environment Bill 2019-20. The Bill was given its first reading on 30 January 2020 and passed its second reading without division on 26 February 2020. Committee stage started on 10 March 2020 but was adjourned on 19 March due to the impact of Coronavirus. The Public Bill Committee is suspended until a time and date to be fixed by the Chair of the committee.

This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate to be held in Westminster Hall at 2.30pm on Tuesday 4 February 2020 on climate justice. The debate will be opened by Nadia Whittome MP.

This is a short House of Commons briefing paper on the 2019 international climate change conference (COP25) held in Madrid, Spain.

This Library briefing provides an explanation of the introduction of the UK's net zero by 2050 legislative target. It provides the context for the emissions reduction target; a brief overview of relevant commentary and analysis of the Government's proposals; and any key announcements and commitments made since.

The Environment Bill 2019 was announced in the Queen’s Speech on 14 October 2019. First Reading was on 15 October 2019. This briefing paper sets out the background to the Bill, reaction to it and its main provisions. This Bill fell at dissolution prior to the General Election in 2019 and is no longer current.

The UK and EU agreed a revised Political Declaration on the framework for the future UK-EU relationship on 17 October. This Briefing provides an outline of the contents of the Declaration and the key changes in the revised text

Boris Johnson's Government have negotiated a new 'deal' with the European Union. It is formed of a Political Declaration and a Withdrawal Agreement. This paper focuses on the Withdrawal Agreement and how it compares to the one negotiated by Theresa May's Government in November 2018. The main differences are in the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland or the 'backstop' as it is commonly known. It contains very different arrangements, the UK will no longer be in a single customs territory or union with the EU. The UK will no longer be legally bound to continue with level playing field commitments at the end of the transition period. Northern Ireland will still be in the UK's customs territory and VAT area, however, the region will align with the EU's rules in these areas. Northern Ireland will remain mostly aligned to the EU's regulations for goods. Four years after the end of the transition period Northern Ireland's democratic institutions will vote on whether they wish to continue the arrangements in the Protocol.

A debate on the UN climate summit 2020: UK priorities and preparations was scheduled to be held in Westminster Hall on 10 September 2019 at 2:30pm, led by Caroline Lucas MP. Following prorogation of Parliament on 9 September, this debate will no longer go ahead.

A House of Commons Library Briefing Paper on the UK Carbon Budgets, including information on the Climate Change Act 2008, the Committee on Climate Change's proposals for the fifth carbon budget, the Government's Clean Growth Strategy and progress against carbon budgets. Information on the Paris Agreement and possible impact of Brexit is also included.