Response: Implementation of the biodiversity duty
Published 5 August 2024
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| Reference number | EIR2024-00023 |
|---|---|
| Date of request | 11 July 2024 |
| Date of response | 5 August 2024 |
| Outcome | Information partially disclosed |
Request for information
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (the department) received the following request for information which we responded to under Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR):
I would like to make a Freedom of Information request to the department with respect to the implementation of the ‘biodiversity duty’ of the 2021 Environment Act. The duty required government departments to undertake a first consideration by January 1 2024.
Did the department produce its own first consideration report or document by that date? [Question 1] If so, I would like to make a request for any such report or document.
How many meetings did ministers and officials undertake with respect to the first consideration? [Question 2]
The duty asks that public authorities “must agree…policies and objectives as soon as possible after [January 1 2024]”. I would like to request information about how many meetings have been undertaken by department officials and ministers to that end in addition to individual summaries of those meetings.
Has the department agreed policies and objectives related to the duty? [Question 3] If so, I would like to request a summary of those policies.
Our response
Question 1:
The department undertook a first consideration by January 1, 2024. Please see Annex A.
Question 2:
The department has not agreed policies and objectives and no meetings have taken place. We aim to do so by November 2024.
Question 3:
The department has not yet agreed policies and objectives related to the duty.