![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/clean-water-targets-delayed-amid-rishi-sunak-cop27-row/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/TELEMMGLPICT000314039792_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq14gQfIINrKeqI0-l40VDkvWW8nDgsW-netx6Mm3jPdA.jpeg&description=Flagship new targets to clean up Britain's water and increase biodiversity will be delayed, ministers have admitted, amid a row over Rishi Sunak's commitment to the Cop27 climate conference. Campaigners and charities said the delay will hold up efforts to protect bird species and clean up Britain's rivers, and could mean the UK's delegation will arrive empty-handed to this year's summit. The setback also contravenes the Environment Act, passed last year, which said ministers must set out new binding targets to protect nature in Britain by October 31. Therese Coffey, the Environment Secretary, said they would now be published 'as soon as practicable' but would not commit to a new deadline. Delegates are expected to discuss biodiversity and water cleanliness in the second week of the United Nations Cop27 summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, next month. Mr Sunak has already been accused of doing too little to support the summit after his spokesman said he would not attend because he will be too busy preparing next month's Autumn Statement. Climate minister downgraded He has also downgraded the role of his new climate minister, who will not attend Cabinet. Ed Miliband, Labour's shadow climate change secretary, accused the Government of a 'massive failure of leadership' and Mr Sunak of not 'even bothering to turn up'. But Ms Coffey suggested on Friday the conference is not one of the "big political summits" despite Joe Biden being expected to attend. "The big push happened last year in Glasgow,' she said. "I am not aware of, say, President Biden or President Macron, or any of those other people will be there. It is quite standard practice that every five years is the big political gathering." Charities and campaigners said they were dismayed to learn the new nature targets will be delayed. Ms Coffey said in a statement to MPs that in light of a 'significant public response' to her department's consultation on nature recovery, 'we will not be able to publish targets by 31st){kind=link}
Therese Coffey admits ministers will not meet legal deadline as campaigners warn of ‘deeply concerning’ delay
Flagship new targets to clean up Britain’s water and increase biodiversity will be delayed, ministers have admitted, amid a row over Rishi Sunak’s commitment to the Cop27 climate conference.
Campaigners and charities said the delay will hold up efforts to protect bird species and clean up Britain’s rivers, and could mean the UK’s delegation will arrive empty-handed to this year’s summit.
The setback also contravenes the Environment Act, passed last year, which said ministers must set out new binding targets to protect nature in Britain by October 31.
Therese Coffey, the Environment Secretary, said they would now be published “as soon as practicable” but would not commit to a new deadline.