Environment

In 2019, there were 3.4 million procedures completed involving regulated living animals, which was the lowest annual number since 2007. This note summarises and analyses trends in data, including the growth of universities as the dominant seat of research on animals, the use of different species, and the decline of research for toxicological purposes.

This briefing considers the approach to housing, energy efficiency and net zero, providing an overview of Government policy and parliamentary comment on the issue.

This briefing paper provides an overview of the existing legal framework for electric scooters (e-scooters). It also analyses the arguments for and against legalising e-scooters on UK roads, drawing on the limited evidence from other countries and cities that have sanctioned their use.

This page summarises the Commons Library publications on energy policy. The overview briefing paper provides background on energy in the UK, the basis for energy policy, and a timeline of significant developments in energy policy.

This note considers how much the UK contributes to the EU budget and how much it receives back. Potential payments to the EU on or after Brexit - such as the exit bill - are also discussed.

This paper provides an update on the UK-EU future relationship negotiations following intensified negotiations in June and July 2020. It explores the prospects for an agreement in time for the end of the post-Brexit transition period on 31 December

This Commons Library briefing paper summarises current progress on nuclear power, including conventional reactors, advanced designs, waste disposal, and nuclear research.

The Agriculture Bill 2019-21 was given its First Reading on 16 January and Second Reading on 3 February 2020. It completed Committee Stage on 5 March 2020 its remaining Commons stages on 13 May 2020. The Bill received its Second Reading in the Lords on 10 June and commenced its Lords Committee consideration on 7 July 2020.

This Insight will examine the how the issue of air quality is tied up with Brexit negotiations and the coronavirus pandemic.

Please note: for information on accessing food banks and food parcels during the pandemic please see our briefing Coronavirus: Support for household finances. For an account of developments in food bank activity over the crisis period see section 7 of this paper, Food Banks in the UK. Recent research means we have increasing amounts of data on food banks, giving us a fuller picture of their provision across the UK, and providing a more detailed picture of the characteristics of food bank users.

This short briefing paper aims to provide context for provisions in clause 124 of the Pension Schemes Bill 2019/21 that would “require occupational pension schemes to manage the effects of climate change effectively as a financial risk to their investments and to report publicly on how they have done so.”

Climate Change Explainers is a series of Insights by the Commons Library about climate change.

An overview of the basic concepts underlying greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and climate change, with references to further information and underlying research.