The UK- #EU #FTA appears to create dual status for the #climate & #ecological emergencies.

Perhaps unsurprisingly for a #trade deal, commitments to #environment #nonregression only apply insofar as they affect trade. The treaty doesn't guarantee all green standards will be upheld

As @mwgehring points out, failure to meet #ParisAgreement commitments could be a material breach of the treaty, with trade repercussions. Importantly, any serious deviation could be deemed to have trade implications. This is good, if properly enforced.

But there's no such assumption that failure to meet global #CBD #nature targets to reverse the decline in #wildlife will constitute a breach. So important rules like #chemicals management could be weakened with no repercussions. @MarkAvery discusses here: https://markavery.info/2020/12/27/brexit-deal-ten-words-that-spell-environmental-damage/

This means that provisions like Article 7.2(4) which at first appear to guarantee that EU environmental targets must be maintained aren't as strong as they seem. For example, #WFD #water quality targets could be ditched without trade implications, so they're not protected.

Presumably, the #ParisAgreement provision is based on a realisation that #ClimateChange can only the tackled collectively & failure would have severe economic consequences. It's elevated to an "essential element" of treaty cooperation, alongside #HumanRights & rule of law.

During a #COVID19 pandemic caused by our dysfunctional relationship with #nature, it's a real failing that the deal doesn't recognise that solving the #EcologicalEmergency is as much a shared, international priority as the other essential elements. https://ipbes.net/sites/default/files/2020-11/201104_IPBES_Workshop_on_Diversity_and_Pandemics_Executive_Summary_Digital_Version.pdf

The upshot: there's no longer a supranational guarantor of UK environment standards. #Nonregression only applies where trade is affected. So, weaknesses in the #EnvironmentBill framework for targets are even more significant. Delivery of the #25YearEnvironmentPlan is essential.

You can read our briefing (w/ @GreenerUK_) on the targets framework here: https://www.wcl.org.uk/docs/2020/Environment_Bill_Targets_Policy_Paper_07.10.20.pdf

& our analysis of gaps in the targets proposals (like a long-term #WaterQuality target) here:
https://www.wcl.org.uk/docs/2020/Environment_Bill_Targets_Paper_Part_2_Proposals_07.10.20.pdf

They must be solved to fill the gap left by the treaty.

Of course, divergence can mean that the UK goes further on environmental protection, in line with the #25YEP promises. Let's hope that's what the PM meant when he listed #chemicals as one of the areas we can move away from EU standards. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-55456720 @GeorgeMonbiot