OECD Environmental Performance Review of the United Kingdom 2022: Scope and process

UNITED KINGDOM – ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW 2022

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS Since 1992, the OECD has conducted more than 100 Environmental Performance Reviews (EPRs).

Nearly all OECD countries have been reviewed three times and this is the United Kingdom’s third review.

Previous EPRs were conducted in 1994 and 2002.

PEER LEARNING

Encourage performance improvement and policy reforms through benchmarking and cross-country comparison

GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY

Spark national debate on environmental goals and how to best achieve them

POLICY DIALOGUE

Encourage peer learning through the exchange of best practices

The EPRs encourage gradual convergence towards the best performing countries.

P E E R R E VI E WS

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Peer reviews, where each country’s policy is examined by fellow members on an equal basis, have been used at the OECD for more than 50 years. Peer reviews are conducted in the environmental and other policy areas, including economic policy, energy and development co-operation.

Environmental Performance Reviews

ronmental Performance Reviews

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OECD Economic Surveys UNITED KINGDOM

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PRINT ISBN 978‑92‑64‑43070‑9 PDF ISBN 978‑92‑64‑32889‑1

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OECD Development Co‑operation Peer Reviews

The OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) conducts reviews of the individual development co‑operation efforts of DAC members once every five to six years. DAC peer reviews critically examine the overall performance of a given member, not just that of its development co‑operation agency, covering its policy, programmes and systems. They take an integrated, system‑wide perspective on the development co‑operation activities of the member under review and its approach to fragility, crisis and humanitarian assistance. The United Kingdom uses its global standing and convening power to promote an evidence‑based approach to stability, inclusion and prosperity and continues to provide 0.7% of its national income as Official Development Assistance (ODA). The depth and breadth of its expertise, combined with flexible funding instruments and strong country presence, allow the United Kingdom to focus these ODA resources on developing country needs, while protecting its own longer‑term national interests. Articulating a clear and comprehensive whole‑of‑government vision for its support to international development would allow the United Kingdom to reinforce its policy priorities and engage the public. Further measures to build effective partnerships and institutional capacity in developing countries would allow the United Kingdom to build ownership of development processes and contribute to lasting change.

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OECD Development Co‑operation Peer Reviews UNITED KINGDOM 2020

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Volume 2020/12

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Latest Reviews Available • Mexico • Australia • Switzerland • Belgium • Czech Republic • Denmark • Russian Federation* • Turkey • Hungary • Greece • Ireland • Luxembourg • OECD Countries • Germany • Iceland • Norway • Portugal • Slovak Republic • Japan • United Kingdom • Italy

Environmental Performance Reviews

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United Kingdom 2019 Review

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The OECD promotes a whole-of-government approach drawing on a broad range of expertise.

THE UK REVIEW The third Environmental Performance Review of the United Kingdom (UK) assesses the country’s progress towards green and inclusive growth. It includes an in-depth chapter on the circular economy.

The review evaluates the UK’s track-record against its national and international environmental objectives.

A N A LYS I S

Provide an independent, facts-based analysis of the UK’s environmental performance

B E N CH MA R K I N G

Provide cross-country comparisons. How does the UK perform compared to other OECD countries?

BEST PRACTICES & LESSONS LEARNED

Identify success stories, good practices and challenges.

How could good practices be scaled up? What lessons can be learned from other countries or regions?

The review provides targeted policy recommendations.

KEY ANALYTICAL QUESTIONS

OBJECTIVES Have they been clearly defined? Are they based on an analysis of costs and benefits? Are they measurable?

ACT IO NS

RE S ULTS

INTENTIONS

What has been done to reach the objectives?

Was it the most efficient and effective way to get there?

Do results match expectations? If yes, what are the drivers of success? If not, what obstacles should be overcome?

What are the plans to achieve the objectives?

If results are not satisfactory, what actions are planned to correct the trajectory?

Within the context of the UK’s historical environmental record, natural resource endowment, economic and social conditions and in comparison with other countries.

CO N TE N T ASSESSMENT & RECOMMENDATIONS Main findings and policy recommendations in each area covered by the review. This section is approved by consensus with OECD countries.

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

Towards green, inclusive growth

Circular economy

The first chapter is streamlined across all reports. It includes a summary of key trends and an assessment of the environmental effectiveness and economic efficiency of the policy mix, including fiscal and economic instruments, regulatory and voluntary instruments.

This topic was selected by the UK authorities in consultation with the OECD Secretariat.

ACTIONS TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT SELECTED RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 2002 REVIEW

Flexible content responding to specific needs Tailored and targeted policy recommendations Access to data

ENVIRONMENTAL TRENDS Climate change Air quality Freshwater resources Waste and materials Biodiversity

The review provides an overview of key environmental trends and of the United Kingdom’s progress towards achieving national and international environmental targets.

GREEN, INCLUSIVE GROWTH POLICY MIX & COHERENCE How does the UK mobilise investment for a green, low-carbon and circular economy?

How green is the UK’s tax system?

Are there subsidies and incentives that are harmful to the environment?

How well do businesses comply with environmental regulations?

Are objectives clearly defined?

How does the UK measure progress in aligned policymaking?

Which are the trade-offs and synergies between environmental, economic and social goals and policies?

How green and inclusive is the UK's recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic?

The review identifies opportunities for improving policy implementation, effectiveness and coherence.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY The thematic chapter assesses the performance of the United Kingdom in terms of how well it has done in achieving its objectives for waste management and circular economy. It will include a systematic analysis of the UK policy on waste management and circular economy, in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency.

What is the UK’s material footprint? How effectively has it decoupled domestic material consumption and raw material consumption from GDP growth?

What are the links between the circular economy objectives and the growth strategy?

Which measures have been effective in promoting recycling markets and green purchasing?

What’s the level of involvement of the private sector?

The review provides targeted advice and good practices for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of current and future policies in this area.

TIMELINE

EPR virtual review mission

Policy mission to discuss main findings and recommendations at high level

Meeting with OECD countries to discuss the UK’s review

Preparatory phase: information collection

Jun 2021

LAUNCH

14-17

Sep

early

Dec

15

Feb Mar/Apr 2022

VIRTUAL REVIEW MISSION 14-17 September 2021 The OECD review team met with government and non-government stakeholders for an open dialogue and discussion on the UK’s environmental performance in the last decade.

This complemented collected information and provided the basis for the drafting of the review.

What has worked well and why? What has not worked so well and why? What are priority areas for improvement?

What lessons can be learned for the future?

What do the governments, businesses and civil society need to do to improve the UK’s environmental performance?

The review mission gathered examples of success stories, best practices, challenges and identified potential recommendations.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS Governments of UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Departments and agencies in charge of environmental policymaking and implementation Other departments and agencies

Local governments

Business organisations Trade unions

Environmental NGOs Independent experts

The review draws on a large variety of information sources and diversity of viewpoints.

OECD REVIEW TEAM OECD Secretariat Reviewing countries

Germany

Nathalie Girouard Head of Division, ENV/EPI Strategic Oversight Frédérique Zegel EPR Co-ordinator Green, inclusive growth Eugene Mazur Poliy Analyst Environmental governance Gérard Bonnis Senior Policy Analyst Biodiversity Sarah Miet Policy Analyst/Statistician Environmental trends Tony Zamparutti Consultant Circular economy

Japan

Shellie Phillips Assistant CONTACTS:

frederique.zegel @oecd.org shellie.phillips@oecd.org