Environment Legislation

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

The Pollution Prevention and Control (Fees) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025

The 2025 regulations amended several existing regulations to increase fees for environmental regulation of the offshore oil and gas industry.


The Pollution Prevention and Control (Fees) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025 increase hourly rates for specialist and non-specialist officers involved in environmentally regulating the offshore oil and gas industry.

These fee increases, effective immediately, apply to several existing regulations governing offshore petroleum activities, licensing, and environmental impact assessments.

The changes aim to update existing fees to better reflect the cost of providing regulatory services.

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The Contracts for Difference (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 1st Jul 25

The 2025 regulations amended the Contracts for Difference and Electricity Market Reform regulations, adding biomass stations as eligible generators and empowering the Secretary of State to enforce sustainability improvements in CFDs.


The Contracts for Difference (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 amend existing regulations governing Contracts for Difference (CFDs) in the UK energy market.

Key changes include expanding the definition of 'eligible generator' to encompass biomass stations, thereby extending support for renewable energy production; and granting the Secretary of State the authority to direct CFD counterparties to implement amendments related to sustainability obligations in CFDs entered into after the regulation's commencement date.

These amendments aim to promote sustainable energy sources and enhance the environmental considerations within the energy market.

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The Electricity Act 1989 (Requirement of Consent for Solar Generating Stations) (England) Order 2025

The order amended the Electricity Act 1989 to increase the permitted capacity for solar generating stations in England to 100 megawatts.


The Electricity Act 1989 (Requirement of Consent for Solar Generating Stations) (England) Order 2025, effective December 31, 2025, amends the 1989 Act to increase the permitted capacity of solar generating stations in England from 50 to 100 megawatts before requiring Secretary of State consent.

The Order applies to England and Wales and is supported by a separate impact assessment.

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The Tuberculosis in Animals (England) (Amendment) Order 2025

The 2025 Order amended the Tuberculosis in Animals (England) Order 2021, clarifying tuberculosis control powers, updating specified areas, and removing outdated references.


The Tuberculosis in Animals (England) (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2021 Order to clarify the power to slaughter animals infected with tuberculosis, remove outdated references to the European Union Common Agricultural Policy, and broaden the Secretary of State's authority to publish information aiding tuberculosis prevention.

The amendment also adds several parishes to Schedule 3, expanding the specified areas covered under the order.

It comes into force on July 15, 2025 and covers England and Wales.

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The Teversham Award Drains Variation Order 2025

The Teversham Award Drains Variation Order 2025 confirmed a revised drainage scheme, transferring maintenance responsibility to South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City Councils.


The Teversham Award Drains Variation Order 2025 confirms a revised scheme for maintaining the Award Drain in Teversham, Cambridgeshire. The Environment Agency submitted the original plan, which was modified and subsequently confirmed by the Secretary of State.

The order transfers responsibility for maintaining the revised drain to South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City Councils, specifying that the change takes effect upon the order's confirmation.

The schedule details the revised drain's definition, the effective date, and the councils’ joint responsibility for maintenance.

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The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025

Sections 3 and 5 of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 were brought into force regarding pollution reduction plans and nature-based solutions for water companies in England.


These regulations, issued under the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, bring into effect sections 3 and 5 of that Act on June 23, 2025.

This specifically mandates water and sewerage undertakers in England to create and publish annual pollution reduction plans, and incorporate nature-based solutions into their drainage and sewerage management plans.

The regulations include enforcement measures for non-compliance.

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The Oxfordshire County Council (Oxpens River Thames Pedestrian/Cycle Bridge) Scheme 2024 Confirmation Instrument 2025

The Oxfordshire County Council (Oxpens River Thames Pedestrian/Cycle Bridge) Scheme 2024 was confirmed, and the bridge's design and construction authorized under the Highways Act 1980.


This legal instrument confirms the Oxfordshire County Council's scheme to build a pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Thames in Oxford.

The bridge's design, location, and dimensions are detailed, along with confirmation that navigational requirements were considered.

The instrument cites the Highways Act 1980 as legal authority.

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The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) Order 2025

The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) Order 2025 amended existing legislation to clarify the calculation of vehicle emission targets, including UK and EU registered vehicles, and specified the application of the higher of the two possible targets to vehicle manufacturers.


The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2023 and 2024 Orders to clarify the calculation of vehicle emissions targets for manufacturers.

It specifies that vehicles first registered in either the UK or EU are to be included in these calculations, using the EU Regulation (EU) 2019/631 as a basis for calculation for both a UK specific and EU specific target.

The manufacturer's final target is the higher of the two calculated in this way.

The Order ensures consistency and clarity in application, supporting the UK's climate change goals while considering the implications of Brexit and retaining UK control and clarity over emission reduction targets.

The Order takes effect on 2nd October 2025 and applies across the UK.

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