Rishi Sunak’s influence on the World stage will depend as much as anything on his environmental record here in the UK.  So how does that look?  His decisions to reinstate the ban on fracking and commit to the net zero ambition are reassuring.  But the failure to set environmental targets, allowing a coal mine in Cumbria and continuing uncertainty over the new farming subsidy regime (ELMS) are deeply concerning. 

A key test in the coming weeks will be his approach to the Retained EU Law bill, which could wipe out 570 pieces of environmental regulation and protections.  Originating in Europe but embedded in English law, these bits of legislation tell builders where they can and can’t build, farmers when and what they can spray, local authorities what steps and safeguards are needed before taking decisions on house building.  They reach into almost every aspect of commercial life, from pharmaceuticals to fishing nets.

Few would claim that poor regulation doesn’t exist or that urgent reviews aren’t needed in some areas.  It does, and they are.  But many of the gripes vocalised by regulation hawks have more to do with sloppy administration or poorly funded agencies struggling to cope with debilitating workloads. Many more reflect a lack of awareness as to what problem the regulation is there to solve. 

Why should we be the slightest bit concerned about losing a bit of regulation?  Like death and taxes, regulation feels like one of life’s grim inevitabilities, and it’s hard to find politicians or business leaders that have any flattering words to say about it.  In many circles it has become a byword for everything that drives us mad and spoils our fun.

Popular or not, there is little evidence that regulation holds back our economy.  In stark contrast, the costs of absent or ineffective regulation are all too clear.  Cancellation of the Zero Carbon Homes policy has cost the UK £2 billion in wasted energy and added £200 annually to household energy bills.  The failure to regulate effectively against air pollution causes 40,000 premature deaths in the UK.  And the effects of weak enforcement can be seen in the parlous state of our rivers across the whole country.

Rishi Sunak has pledged his reputation on restoring economic stability.  There are many things he could do to achieve this goal that would also help tackle the crises facing Planet Earth - setting clear long term environmental targets, shifting us away from fossil fuels, ending perverse subsidies that contribute to polluted rivers and beaches and rigorously enforcing sensible, carefully targeted regulation.  All these would help us as much here in the South West - where our economy relies so much on awesome landscapes and clean, sparkling seas – as they would in China or Chile.

One thing we don’t need is an unpopular and counter-productive bonfire of regulations, with all its wasted heat and toxic fumes.

Harry Barton, Chief Executive, Devon Wildlife Trust