Brexit and Environmental Law

May 2020
Citation:
50
ELR 10361
Issue
5
Author
Caitlin F. McCarthy, Miriam Aczel, Begonia Filgueira, Markus Gehring, Ambereen K. Shaffie, and Sarah Williams

The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union is anticipated to have a breadth of impacts on its environmental law and policy. Proponents point to opportunities ahead for the government to draft and enact U.K.-specific environmental laws and regulations that are more attuned to issues facing the country. Others believe the departure could lead to deregulation, a lack of consistency and stability, and potential decreases in advances made. On February 3, 2020, the Environmental Law Institute hosted an expert panel that explored these implications of the U.K.’s departure, the role the U.K. will play in meeting the Paris Accord goals, and the looming challenges and areas of opportunity. This Article presents a transcript of the discussion, which has been edited for style, clarity, and space considerations.

Caitlin F. McCarthy (moderator) is Director of Education, Associates, and Corporate Partnerships at the Environmental Law Institute. Miriam Aczel is a President’s Scholar Ph.D. candidate at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London. Begonia Filgueira is a Partner at Acuity Law, Founder of the Environmental Regulation and Information Centre, and Co-Chair of the Brexit Task Force of the U.K. Environmental Law Association. Markus Gehring is University Lecturer and Director of Studies (Law) at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge; a Fellow at the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law; and Lead Counsel for Trade, Investment, and Finance at the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law. Ambereen K. Shaffie is President and Managing Partner at Shaffie Law and Policy. Sarah Williams is Head of the Greener UK unit.

Article File