Environment Legislation

Regulations protecting natural resources, addressing climate change, pollution control, and environmental conservation measures.

The Climate Change Levy (Fuel Use and Recycling Processes) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Published: Wed 11th Mar 26

The regulations amended the 2005 Climate Change Levy Regulations to specify electricity used in hydrogen electrolysis and natural gas used in sodium bicarbonate production as non-fuel uses exempt from the levy.


The Treasury enacted these Regulations on March 11, 2026, immediately amending the Climate Change Levy (Fuel Use and Recycling Processes) Regulations 2005 to specify certain industrial uses as exempt from the Climate Change Levy.

Specifically, the amendments introduce hydrogen production via electrolysis and the use of natural gas as a carbon dioxide source in sodium bicarbonate production as 'wholly non-fuel uses', thereby removing the levy charge on the energy inputs for those specific processes.

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The Oil and Gas Authority (Carbon Storage and Offshore Petroleum) (Specified Periods for Disclosure of Protected Material) Regulations 2025

Published: Wed 7th Jan 26

The regulations specified the mandatory disclosure periods for protected carbon storage and offshore petroleum information and samples obtained by the OGA, and amended a related 2018 disclosure regulation.


The Oil and Gas Authority (Carbon Storage and Offshore Petroleum) (Specified Periods for Disclosure of Protected Material) Regulations 2025 specify the regulatory windows following data collection during which the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) or subsequent holders can disclose protected material, including information and samples, related to carbon capture and storage (CCS) and offshore petroleum activities.

These regulations establish different disclosure timelines based on the sensitivity and nature of the material—some information can be published immediately, while detailed technical data, well information, injection/production records, and physical samples are subject to defined confidentiality periods, often contingent on reporting deadlines, system closures, or licence determination events.

Furthermore, the instrument amends a 2018 regulation concerning offshore petroleum data to align its disclosure deadline with the "reporting deadline" specified by the OGA.

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The Helios Renewable Energy Project Order 2025

The Secretary of State made an Order granting development consent for the Helios Renewable Energy Project after examination by the Examining Authority and consideration of all relevant environmental and policy matters.


The Helios Renewable Energy Project Order 2025 grants development consent under the Planning Act 2008 for the construction, operation, and decommissioning of a solar generating station and battery energy storage system in the North Yorkshire Council area, defining the scope of the authorised development, granting the undertaker powers for compulsory acquisition of land or rights, and establishing detailed preliminary provisions, street works, and specific protective requirements for various statutory undertakers including electricity, gas, water, drainage, and railway interests.

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The Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 2025

The Secretary of State approved a non-material change application, resulting in this Order which amended the 2022 DCO via defining Defra, specifying the undertaker, and altering the HHW SAC compensation requirements to include an option for Marine Recovery Fund payments.


This Order enacts non-material changes to the Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Farm Order 2022, effective from December 19th, 2025, following an application for amendment.

Key revisions include adding a definition for 'Defra,' clarifying the named 'undertaker' as Norfolk Vanguard West Limited, and significantly modifying Part 3 of Schedule 17, which relates to compensation for impacts on the Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton Special Area of Conservation (HHW SAC) by introducing the Marine Recovery Fund Payment as an alternative management measure to specific marine debris removal tasks.

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The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No. 9) and Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2025

The Regulations activated specific sections of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 and the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 concerning compulsory purchase procedures, development corporations, and EDPs, with commencement dates staggered between the day after the Regulations were made, February 18th, 2026, and April 1st, 2026.


These Regulations establish the commencement dates for various provisions within the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 and the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, primarily setting 18th February 2026 as the start date for certain compulsory purchase order reforms and several aspects of Development Corporation powers, while bringing forward regulatory powers and provisions related to Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) immediately, alongside transitional measures to govern ongoing compulsory purchase procedures.

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The Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025

The Secretary of State made non-material changes to the Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm Order 2021, introducing Defra, updating the undertaker, correcting coordinates, and modifying environmental compensation obligations via provisions for the Marine Recovery Fund.


The Secretary of State has issued The Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025, which makes non-material changes to the original 2021 Development Consent Order for the Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm.

This Order, effective December 19th, 2025, officially incorporates a definition for Defra, updates the definition of the undertaker, corrects several precise geographical coordinates defining the authorized development, and significantly amends compensation provisions related to the Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton Special Area of Conservation (HHW SAC) by introducing the Marine Recovery Fund as a potential alternative to direct marine debris removal.

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The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Regulations amended the 2024 Producer Responsibility Obligations rules by introducing specific definitions, defining producer liability in mergers and acquisitions, creating reporting pathways for closed-loop packaging waste, updating compliance fees, and outlining transitional reporting arrangements.


These Regulations amend the 2024 Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations, effective from January 1st, 2026, across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, primarily by introducing new definitions for fibre-based composite materials, refining producer responsibility during corporate mergers and acquisitions, and establishing specific rules and charges for reporting 'closed loop packaging waste' derived from food-grade plastic.

Furthermore, the amendments adjust the scope of exemptions for charities, update various financial charges outlined in Schedule 1, and empower the scheme administrator to appoint Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) to assist in regulatory functions, alongside detailed transitional provisions for reporting historical data related to the new closed-loop category.

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The Treasury substituted the Schedule of the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) Order 2025 with a revised list of designated bodies affecting supply estimates for the financial year ending March 31, 2026.


This Order, made by HM Treasury under the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000, revises the list of designated central government bodies for the purpose of calculating supply estimates and resource accounts for the financial year ending March 31, 2026.

Specifically, it substitutes the entire Schedule of the principal Order (The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) Order 2025) with an updated list organized by government department, adding, renaming, or removing various public sector bodies.

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