Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that the UK fashion sector reduces its stake in overseas emissions.
Answered by Jo Churchill
The Government’s Net Zero Strategy sets out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy to meet our net zero target by 2050. The fashion and textiles industry is estimated to account for between 4% and 8% of global emissions. More than 70% of these emissions occur during the production of a garment. Emissions of air pollutants from textiles treatment facilities are controlled through environmental permits, using best available techniques (BAT). Operators must not exceed limits on allowable emissions.
The Government's Resources & Waste Strategy for England identified textiles as a priority sector for action. We fund Textiles 2030, a voluntary partnership with industry to reduce the environmental impact of textiles, with signatories covering over 62% of all clothing put on the UK market. This programme is underpinned by ambitious science-based targets, including halving the carbon footprint of new products and reducing the water footprint by 30%, both by 2030. This initiative is driving forward action on design, circular business models and recycling.
We are considering what wider framework of policy measures could best help reduce the environmental footprint of fashion, potentially using a range of powers from our landmark Environment Act 2021.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he will take to work with COP26 partners to reduce emissions from the global fashion industry.
Answered by Jo Churchill
The Government’s Net Zero Strategy sets out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy to meet our net zero target by 2050. The fashion and textiles industry is estimated to account for between 4% and 8% of global emissions. More than 70% of these emissions occur during the production of a garment. Emissions of air pollutants from textiles treatment facilities are controlled through environmental permits, using best available techniques (BAT). Operators must not exceed limits on allowable emissions.
The Government's Resources & Waste Strategy for England identified textiles as a priority sector for action. We fund Textiles 2030, a voluntary partnership with industry to reduce the environmental impact of textiles, with signatories covering over 62% of all clothing put on the UK market. This programme is underpinned by ambitious science-based targets, including halving the carbon footprint of new products and reducing the water footprint by 30%, both by 2030. This initiative is driving forward action on design, circular business models and recycling.
We are considering what wider framework of policy measures could best help reduce the environmental footprint of fashion, potentially using a range of powers from our landmark Environment Act 2021.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the global fashion industry's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
Answered by Jo Churchill
The Government’s Net Zero Strategy sets out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy to meet our net zero target by 2050. The fashion and textiles industry is estimated to account for between 4% and 8% of global emissions. More than 70% of these emissions occur during the production of a garment. Emissions of air pollutants from textiles treatment facilities are controlled through environmental permits, using best available techniques (BAT). Operators must not exceed limits on allowable emissions.
The Government's Resources & Waste Strategy for England identified textiles as a priority sector for action. We fund Textiles 2030, a voluntary partnership with industry to reduce the environmental impact of textiles, with signatories covering over 62% of all clothing put on the UK market. This programme is underpinned by ambitious science-based targets, including halving the carbon footprint of new products and reducing the water footprint by 30%, both by 2030. This initiative is driving forward action on design, circular business models and recycling.
We are considering what wider framework of policy measures could best help reduce the environmental footprint of fashion, potentially using a range of powers from our landmark Environment Act 2021.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing a requirement for all waste management companies to measure their carbon emissions more accurately beyond just EfW sites.
Answered by Jo Churchill
Defra has made no assessment of the potential merits of establishing a requirement for all waste management companies to measure their carbon emissions.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of HVO fuel on levels of air pollution.
Answered by Jo Churchill
Defra's independent Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) published a report entitled: "Road Transport Biofuels: Impact on UK Air Quality" in 2011. AQEG recently reviewed this report and were confident its conclusions were still valid.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he taking to tackle soil degradation.
Answered by Rebecca Pow
The Government is developing a Soil Health Action Plan for England that aims to prevent soil degradation and improve soil health. It will deliver a strategic plan for multiple outcomes, encouraging appropriate land management practices that are sensitive to soil health, the environment and food production.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will reconsider his policy on reversing bans on the import of (a) fur and (b) foie gras.
Answered by Jo Churchill
The Government’s position remains that for both fur and foie gras, we will review the evidence and consider next steps. This has not changed. Fur farming has been banned in England and Wales since 2000 and 2002 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Regarding foie gras, the Government has made clear that the production of force-fed foie gras raises serious welfare concerns. The practice is already prohibited in England and Wales under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. We are now able to consider any further steps that could be taken in relation to foie gras that is produced overseas using force feeding practices, such as restrictions on import and sale. We continue to gather information and speak to a range of interested parties about the issues involved.