The UK Department for Energy and Climate Change confirmed that oil companies have been fined for spills in the North Sea just seven times since 2000, despite over 4,000 recorded spills in the same period. Total fines from 2000 to 2007 came to around $119,000 dollars, and no company had to pay more than $32,000. The lowest fine came when Venture North Sea Oil and Knutsen OAS Shipping were fined $3,200 each for spilling 20 tons of crude oil into the sea.

A British judge ordered fines and penalties totaling a record-breaking $2.5 million against a Spanish fishing company, its British subsidiary, and two skippers for fishing illegally in UK waters. The company was accused of "flagrant, repeated and long-term abuse of the regulations" in endangering two vulnerable species, ling and hake, and damaging the livelihoods of local fishermen by putting cheaper fish on the market.

The European Commission refused the United Kingdom's plans to delay air quality improvements in 12 major cities last week, and the government may be forced to ban or fine heavily polluting traffic. The cities will likely have to introduce low-emission zones to curb nitrogen dioxide emissions, which, in addition to particulate matter, are recognized by the government as the second biggest public health threat after smoking. Air pollution reduces U.K. life expectancy by up to eight months, according to government statistics, and costs the country over $30 billion a year.

UK's Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs revealed some of its plans for "climate proofing" the nation last week, implementing climate adaptation plans submitted by government agencies. Under the Climate Act, organizations dealing with national infrastructure must release similar plans for national protection to face possible rising temperatures, rising sea levels, and increased incidents of extreme weather.

Britain's proposed sale of 15% of its publicly owned forest has been delayed while the government attempts to protect public access and biodiversity. The Forestry Commission's plans to sell 258,000 hectares of UK forests have been met with public opposition and cross-party criticism, and the chief of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which may benefit from the sale by taking over a "heritage forest," said that the New Forest "cannot be run by charity." The forests were slated to bring in as much as 100 million pounds to close its record deficit.

Point Carbon analysts said that UK's plan to introduce a price floor for carbon emissions permits may harm business by introducing a £9.3 ($15) billion burden, but will likely cut emissions from the energy industry by 5.3 percent. The proposed floor will begin at £16 ($26) per metric ton in 2013 and rise to £30 ($49) per metric ton by 2030. However, according to Point Carbon, the price could rise to €54 ($78) per metric ton by 2020, while the rest of EU's Emissions Trading Scheme sees prices closer to €36 ($52).

Britain's National Ecosystems Assessment released a report last week suggesting that natural resources and a healthy environment were worth billions of pounds to Britain. The report stated that emphasis should be shifted away from producing more food and goods. "Humans rely on the way ecosystems services control our climate--pollution, water quality, pollination--and we're finding out that many of these regulating services are degrading," said Bob Watson, chief scientific adviser to the Department for Environment.

A UK court of appeals dismissed a suit against the government alleging that it acted illegally by failing to reduce air pollution. In the appeal by Client Earth, three judges accepted the charity's argument that the UK government was in breach of its duties to ensure nitrogen dioxide pollution met legal standards. However, the court agreed with a previous decision that it was up to the European Commission, not Britain, to decide whether the government's intention to delay compliance was admissible.

The UK government's climate advisors warned last week that funding cuts to local authorities are putting carbon targets at risk. According to a report released by the Committee, austerity measures have badly affected the climate efforts of local authorities, which have the potential to significantly impact the UK's emissions. Committee member Julia King said that the government needs to strengthen incentives by providing national funding.

Prime Minister David Cameron's government announced plans to make nuclear more profitable in the United Kingdom, reviving the industry months after a German utility scrapped a project because it would take too long for the investment to pay off. The proposed measures include long-term contracts that give guarantees to producers to help attract as much as $97 billion in investment. Energy Secretary Ed Davey faces criticism that energy plans are driving up bills; U.K.