The UK government has promised to maintain EU environmental standards after Brexit and to bring about a  “green industrial revolution”. However, the government has propped up industries harmful to the environment throughout the coronavirus pandemic and delayed a long-awaited environmental bill. This casts doubt on the government’s commitment. The decision to delay the environmental bill follows an inquest into the death of Ella Kissi-Debrah (9 years old), which found that her death was caused by illegal levels of pollution in London.The government’s failure to meet its commitment is risking British lives.

THE SOCIOECONOMICS OF A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS   

The inquest into Ella’s death found that the UK had violated article 2 of the Human Rights Act—the right to life. Her acute asthma was worsened by illegal levels of pollution and resulted in almost 30 hospital admissions in the three years before her death. The inquest concluded that emissions in the local authority of Lewisham exceeded EU and UK limits, in particular limits regarding nitrogen oxide. It also found that particulate levels exceeded guidelines set by the World Health Organization.  

The finding is not surprising.There is a close connection between poverty and pollution. A 2017 report by the Lewisham Poverty Commission found that Lewisham is one of the most deprived areas in the country, ranking 48th out of 326 local authorities for poverty. A study by UK and Dutch research groups found that socioeconomic factors, such as income, play a large role in who is likely to suffer high levels of air pollution. Using the Income Deprivation Domain, which measures the proportion of a population in an area experiencing poverty, the study found that the most deprived 20% of neighbourhoods in England had statistically significant higher levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide concentrations compared to the wealthiest 20%. This association was found to be greater in London.

BREXIT AND COVID: A POTENT MIX RISKING DISREGARD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

In 2018, the UK was referred to the European Court of Justice over its historical failure to abide by EU limits on nitrogen oxide. Then European Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella said that the EU “owed it to its citizens” to take legal action. The UK may have left the EU, but it still owes it to its citizens to keep safe the air they breathe.

The recent Brexit agreement provides for non-regression on environmental protections “below the levels that are in place at the end of the transition period”. The UK and the EU both retain “the right to exercise reasonable discretion and to make decisions [in good faith] regarding the allocation of environmental enforcement resources”. However, there is a lack of progressive rhetoric regarding the environment. This has led critics of the agreement to worry that environmental standards will be neglected in favour of economic competitiveness in the UK.

The detrimental impact of COVID-19 may contribute to this neglect. Polluting industries have pushed for and received economic support packages to survive the pandemic. The aviation, automotive, and petroleum industries have all benefited from the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility. British Airways,  Toyota, and Schlumberger have borrowed billions under the scheme. Fran Boait, executive director of Positive Money, accused this support by the government as them “propping up climate criminals and bad bosses with public money”. As big business is supported through tough times, their negligence towards the environment will have long-lasting damaging effects for everyone, especially the poorest.

In contrast, more environmentally-friendly, small, and local firms are struggling. A recent survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) found that a record number of small firms risk closure over the next 12 months. While accepting support mechanisms introduced by the government during the first lockdown “were not perfect, they were an exceptionally good starting point,” FSB chair Mike Cherry has warned that government support for small businesses in the third lockdown has been insufficient. A widespread collapse of local businesses will have a long-lasting and devastating impact on local communities and the environment.

THE TIME FOR COMMITMENT IS NOW

The recent inquest into Ella’s death, the UK’s departure from the EU, and recovering from the pandemic presents a perfect opportunity for the UK to claim a leading role on environmental protection. It is the responsibility of the political opposition to echo Rebecca Newsom, head of politics at Greenpeace UK, and directly ask: “what then is [the government] playing at by delaying the most important piece of environmental legislation for decades?”

It would be a mistake to wait longer for the bill and the new environmental watchdog promised by the government, which is supposed to monitor the government’s compliance with environmental commitments. It would not only risk more lives being endangered but also the UK’s credibility before the UN climate summit Cop26, scheduled for November 2021 in Glasgow. Progress in confronting the government has been made since it announced the delay of the environmental bill. The Aldersgate Group published a letter calling for the bill to be “underpinned by regular and binding milestones” to ensure continuous steps are made in protecting the environment. However, more must be done. The UK government should be called to clearly outline its short-term ambitions immediately, so it can report its long-term goals with integrity later this year at Cop26.     

Ursula von der Leyen put it best at her press conference on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, concluding: “But to use a line from TS Eliot: What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” There is no greater opportunity than the pandemic’s dismantling of all conventions for a greener future to be secured. 

Jack holds a BA in English Literature. His research interests are focused on the processes of decolonisation and the politics of migration. He is dedicated to implementing and maintaining the adherence to a universality of human rights in all settings. Jack currently works in the Social Housing sector as a Coordinator.

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