It is feared that the UK will miss a range of environmental targets in the early 2020s, including air pollution and recycling, says a joint report by Unearthed and the Financial Times.
News
UK set to miss environmental targets in 2020 and beyond
By
on 15 January 2020
Current projections see the UK “substantially” missing both 2020 and 2030 reduction targets for PM2.5 emissions, the tiny particles produced by vehicle emissions, which can cause asthma, respiratory inflammation, and promote cancers.
To improve public health in line with UN guidelines, the levels must reduce by 30 per cent, says the FT. Much of the UK has been in breach of the EU’s legally binding target for nitrogen dioxide levels since 2010.
Levels of tiny particulate matter (PM2.5) produced by cars need to fall by 30 per cent in the next decade to meet UN public health standards. Photograph: iStock
Levels of tiny particulate matter (PM2.5) produced by cars need to fall by 30 per cent in the next decade to meet UN public health standards. Photograph: iStock
On fossil fuels there are mixed results. UK renewables’ share of electricity generation was at 33 per cent, according to the latest figures. But, overall – including fuel burned to heat homes and power cars – only 11 per cent of the UK’s energy was produced through renewables, well below the EU average of 17.5 per cent.
The report says the government will need to “double its rate of progress” if it is to hit targets.
After a dramatic increase in recycling in the early 2000s, rates in the UK have plateaued in recent years, it says, with the country expected to miss its targets to recycle or reuse half of household waste in 2020. According to the report the recycling rate has “been stuck” at around 45 per cent for the last few years.
Katie Nield, ClientEarth’s UK clean air lawyer told Unearthed. “The UK has been aware of its 2020 targets for over seven years now, so why are ministers still to face up to what is needed to comply with the law and protect people’s health from air pollution?”
“It all seems to be too little too late,” she added.
Read the report here
NEWS
Webinar argues slowing down is one of the most important safety leadership skills in the age of AI, with NEBOSH’s Dee Arp
By British Safety Council on 30 October 2026
ecoPortal’s free session on 11 November examines how safety leaders can embrace AI without losing care, presence and human connection.
Scheme to recognise commitment to transport staff wellbeing launched by Road Haulage Association
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 01 October 2026
A new Wellbeing Recognition Scheme designed to allow organisations across the HGV, coach and van sectors to demonstrate their commitment to improving the health, wellbeing and resilience of the industry’s workforce has been launched by the Road Haulage Association (RHA).
Cost-of-living pressure is cutting into UK workers’ productivity, says report
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 04 October 2026
The cost of living is the single largest financial stressor for 62% of UK workers, far outweighing concerns about retirement savings (12%) and building emergency funds (8%), a new study has revealed. Sixty-two per cent of workers admit they do not fully understand the workplace retirement plan they pay into each month, according to TELUS Health’s Q2 2026 TELUS Mental Health Index.