In accordance with a new regulatory framework that will better safeguard our air, water, and land, industrial emissions will be curtailed and environmental performance will be enhanced.
When it comes to decreasing hazardous emissions, the new Best Available Techniques framework in the United Kingdom will allow regulators and industry to collaborate on the identification and implementation of current, rigorous standards.
Permits issued by environmental authorities to industrial facilities, such as the textile and chemical industries, require enterprises to utilise the most effective strategies available to avoid or reduce emissions and their environmental repercussions.
Under the new framework, the UK government and Devolved Administrations (the Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and DAERA) will collaborate with industry and local governments to identify the ‘Best Available Techniques’ (BAT) across the UK’s main sectors. This procedure include deciding on and establishing emissions limitations under environmental licences, as well as identifying the technologies and techniques that operators must use to minimise their environmental effect.
It intends to set stronger standards for industrial emissions, as the UK moves away from the EU’s regulatory framework in favour of one that is more accommodating to UK enterprises and the welfare of local populations. The collaborative approach will also provide more assurance to the sector in support of investments that will further the invention of greener technology.
In addition, a new governance structure will be implemented, with the formation of two new independent groups – the Standards Council and the Regulators Group – comprised of government officials and specialist regulators from all four UK countries. In addition, a UK Air Quality Governance Group will be formed to supervise the work of the Standards Council and the implementation of this new framework’s criteria. Interested parties from business, academia, and civil society will be able to participate in the operation of the BAT system via a UK BAT Team advisory group.
Environment Minister Steve Double said:
“Tackling emissions is essential to reduce the damaging effects of air, water and land pollution on people and the environment. The new framework and collaborative approach will ensure higher standards for industrial emissions across the UK and a more effective governance structure to support industry in finding the best available techniques to meet these standards.
“This builds on the wide range of actions we are already taking through our existing legal framework to drive down pollutants and improve public health and the environment.”
Local councils have a significant role in regulating industrial installations in England and Wales and have a strong interest in the effect emissions have on local community health and the environment. Local governments will be brought into the BAT framework for the first time under the new system, which will include them in the governance and standard-setting processes.
Certain industries in the United Kingdom have previously initiated a separate evaluation procedure under the previous EU BAT framework. These sectors will complete the BAT process, using UK data given to the EU as a starting point, and will subsequently adapt the BAT to UK conditions.
Nationally, air pollution continues to decline dramatically. Through this new framework, the government is establishing stricter criteria for the nation’s top businesses and taking further steps to avoid and reduce hazardous emissions.
The government’s Clean Air Strategy — the most ambitious air quality strategy in a generation – seeks to reduce the damage caused by air pollution to human health by 2030.