Government

Green consideration would reduce under Brexit, says poll

Two-thirds of ‘green professionals’ believe that the way that environmental issues are taken into account in infrastructure decision-making would be reduced or removed altogether following a ‘Brexit’, according to a recent poll.

The poll, which closed on 23 May, is the second in a series of online polls carried out by members of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) to assess the views of ‘green professionals’ on the potential impacts of the outcome of the EU referendum on 23 June. The IEMA represents over 15,000 environment and sustainability professionals from around the globe.

It also revealed that fifty per cent of environment and sustainability professionals believe the public will have less involvement in infrastructure decision-making processes if the UK leaves the EU.

The topics in the second of three polls, each of which is independent of the others, included topics such as infrastructure decision-making, biodiversity and impact assessment and received nearly 1,200 responses.

The results show that 93 per cent of poll respondents believe remaining in the EU, or aligned to its policy frameworks, is best for halting or reversing the loss of biodiversity in the UK.

Infrastructure decision-making

The poll revealed that the majority of respondents are concerned that a ‘Brexit’ situation would lead to reduced public engagement with respect to infrastructure decision-making processes.

Seven per cent claimed such engagement would be enhanced and 43 per cent believed current processes could be maintained if the UK left the EU.

However, 81 per cent believe EU laws and regulations act as an important ‘framework for being able to deliver environmental protection and improvements’.

Biodiversity

In terms of halting the decline in UK biodiversity, 80 per cent agree that remaining within the EU would be the best, whereas 13 per cent believe it’s important to be ‘aligned to EU policy frameworks’.  Only seven per cent claimed that being completely separate from the EU would benefit biodiversity.

In addition, 60 per cent of respondents have the opinion that leaving the EU will result in less legal protection for wildlife and habitats and 69 per cent believe payments to support UK farmers, such as those covered by the Common Agricultural Policy, would be reduced or removed on exiting the EU.

Professionals recognise the 'importance of EU policy and regulation'

Commenting on the results, Martin Baxter, IEMA’s Chief Policy Advisor said: “Environment and Sustainability Professionals recognise the importance of EU policy and regulation in helping to drive environmental improvements.

“Whichever way the vote goes, it is essential that environmental issues continue to be factored into infrastructure decision making and that those potentially affected are given opportunities to participate.”