The OEP welcomes government’s revised Green Book, that now includes the Environmental Principles Policy Statement (EPPS), as recommended by our report published last year.
The Green Book is government’s guidance on how to appraise proposals that seek to achieve government’s objectives and is relied on by policy-makers across government.
The revised version was published yesterday (Thursday, February 5) and includes the EPPS and Biodiversity duties, as well as the need for policy makers to consider legally binding Environment Act targets.
The EPPS is important because it is designed to put the environment at the heart of government policy-making. Government ministers and officials have a legal duty to consider the EPPS when making policy, since it came into effect on November 1, 2023.
It means government policy-makers are legally obliged to consider the potential positive and negative effects on the environment from the outset, and as they develop policy. Getting the EPPS embedded into key documents, like the Green Book, that policy-makers use is vital so it can be considered throughout the policy-making process.
Natalie Prosser, OEP CEO, said: “In our report, looking at implementation of the EPPS in England, we recommended that the Green Book, as well as other cross government guidance and templates, be updated to include reference to the EPPS.
“We acknowledged in our report government’s positive start in supporting the EPPS but said more could be done to embed it across government.
“That is why we welcome the inclusion of the EPPS in the revised Green Book, as it marks another positive step in the right direction of helping to fully embed good practice of implementing the EPPS across the machinery of government.”
Used effectively, the EPPS is a tool that can assist government in achieving policy coherence – such as the ‘win-win’ for nature recovery and housing growth that government is committed to.
Ms Prosser added: “Making policy coherent so that it rises to both environmental challenges and growth needs is not easy, but they don’t have to be in conflict.
“Our latest progress report shows how government is largely off track to meet its legally binding environmental commitments and targets. The EPPS is such a valuable tool, stretching beyond Defra to all government departments, and if implemented well can help change this trajectory.”
HM Treasury press release - New Green Book to ensure that investment in all parts of the UK given a "fair hearing" - GOV.UK
Revised Green Book - The Green Book - GOV.UK
