Joseph Lewis
December 2022

2022: Policy delivery or policy delay?

candles for a birthday cake which read "2022" with a hand holding the zero

Last year, the IES hoped that 2022 would be 'the year of delivery' on environmental commitments. Looking back, the 'year of delay' may be more appropriate. 2022 has not been without its milestones for environmental progress, but the year has not lived up to the significant need for tangible delivery that we require.

Even if some of the delayed environmental policies are able to manifest before the 31st December, 2023 will still have a heavy burden placed on it for the future of the environment. Not only must the next 12 months deliver everything that was promised in 2022, they also need to see a substantial increase in ambitions on environmental commitments. There will be ample opportunity to do so, with many critical policy deadlines in the first quarter of the year, and more to come as the year progresses.

Considering core natural systems and major environmental challenges, our look back on 2022 asks one key question: delivery or delay?

    2023: What comes next?

    It is clear that more needs to be done to address the future of our environment and the interlinking crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. We are already well behind on our global and national commitments and must act more quickly, more systematically, and with greater transparency and accountability. 2023 must be the year that happens. It needs to be a year not of delay, or delivery, but of 'everything, all at once'. It must be the start of a process of transformative change.

    In 2023, we must seize the opportunity of the refreshed Environmental Improvement Plan, the updated Net Zero Strategy, the finalised environmental targets and principles, and the implementation of years of promises and commitments to ensure that the voice of environmental science is heard.

    The IES will play its part to represent the voices of science, scientists, and the natural world wherever possible. Add your voice to that conversation by becoming a member of the IES, or if you support environmental science but don’t work in the environment sector, considering joining as an affiliate