Thursday 26 May 2016

Would Brexit remove environmental influence on infrastructure decision making?

The way environmental issues are taken into account on infrastructure decision making would be reduced or removed if the UK leaves the EU.

That’s the view of a majority of the 1,200 green professionals in the country who were surveyed by the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA).

Half of them believe opportunities for the public and communities to engage in the decision making process on new infrastructure proposals that would potentially affect them would be reduced outside the EU.

Furthermore, around 89% also believe efforts to stop the nation's biodiversity loss are best addressed within the EU.

A total of 81% said European laws and regulations are important in providing them with a framework for being able to deliver environmental protection and improvements.

Martin Baxter, IEMA’s Chief Policy Advisor said: “Environment and sustainability professionals recognise the importance of EU policy and regulation in helping to drive environmental improvements. Whichever way the vote goes, it is essential that environmental issues continue to be factored into infrastructure decision making and that those potentially affected are given opportunities to participate.”