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ARTICLE · 27 JUNE 2024

Environment | UK Regulatory Outlook June 2024

Osborne Clarke LLP
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As the UK approaches its general election, the two main contenders to form the next government, the Conservative and Labour parties have unveiled their manifestos...

European UnionEnvironment
Matthew Germain
Matthew Germain
Arthur Hopkinson
Arthur Hopkinson
Julian Wolfgramm-King
Julian Wolfgramm-King
Caroline Bush
Caroline Bush
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UK general election 2024: environmental law aspects

As the UK approaches its general election, the two main contenders to form the next government, the Conservative and Labour parties have unveiled their manifestos, each setting out plans on environmental matters.

Labour has sets out its plan to end North Sea oil and gas licences, create a National Wealth Fund to drive the decarbonisation of energy intensive sectors, and introduce a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) to mitigate the risk of carbon leakage from imported goods. See our Insight for more on these and other aspects of the manifestos.

The Conservatives' manifesto includes recommitting to net zero by 2050, reforming the Climate Change Committee, implementing an import carbon pricing mechanism by 2027, building two carbon capture clusters, and running annual gas and oil licensing rounds. Overall, the party has included far fewer climate and net-zero specific pledges than the other main

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