PART 1Environmental governance
CHAPTER 1Improving the natural environment
Policy statement on environmental principles
I119Policy statement on environmental principles: effect
I31
A Minister of the Crown must, when making policy, have due regard to the policy statement on environmental principles currently in effect.
I32
Nothing in subsection (1) requires a Minister to do anything (or refrain from doing anything) if doing it (or refraining from doing it)—
a
would have no significant environmental benefit, or
b
would be in any other way disproportionate to the environmental benefit.
I33
Subsection (1) does not apply to policy so far as relating to—
a
the armed forces, defence or national security,
b
taxation, spending or the allocation of resources within government, or
c
Wales.
I34
Subsection (1) applies to policy relating to Scotland only so far as relating to reserved matters.
I25
Section 14(2) of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 4) (UK Ministers must have regard to guiding principles on the environment in making policies extending to Scotland) does not apply to policies so far as relating to reserved matters.
I26
In this section “reserved matters” has the same meaning as in the Scotland Act 1998.