In the common law, the primary protection was found in the tort of nuisance, but this only allowed for private actions for damages or injunctions if there was harm to land; thus issues such as smells emanating from pig sties,[1]strict liability against dumping rubbish,[2] or damage from exploding dams[3] are included. Private enforcement, however, was limited and found to be woefully inadequate to deal with major environmental threats, particularly threats to common resources.
1306, Edward I briefly banned coal fires in London.
John Evelyn, Fumifugium (1661) argued for burning fragrant wood instead of mineral coal, which he believed would reduce coughing.
Ballad of Gresham College (1661) describes how the smoke "does our lungs and spirits choke, Our hanging spoil, and rust our iron."
In 1800, one million tons of coal were burned in London, and 15 million across the UK.
During the "Great Stink" of 1858, the dumping of sewerage into the River Thames began to smell so ghastly in the summer heat that Parliament had to be evacuated. The Metropolitan Commission of Sewers Act 1848 had allowed the Metropolitan Commission for Sewers to close cesspits around the city in an attempt to "clean up" but this simply led people to pollute the river. In 19 days, Parliament passed a further Act to build the London sewerage system.
London also suffered from terrible air pollution, and this culminated in the "Great Smog" of 1952, which in turn triggered a legislative response: the Clean Air Act 1956. The basic regulatory structure was to set limits on emissions for households and business (particularly burning coal) while an inspectorate would enforce compliance. It required zones for smokeless fuel to be burned and relocated power stations.
Clean Air Act 1968 required tall chimneys to disperse pollution.
Environmental protection
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The Environment Act 2021, passed in the UK, sets forth new environmental targets and establishes the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) as an oversight body. It outlines a governance framework and mandates an environmental improvement plan for England and Wales, focusing on enhancing environmental standards and biodiversity. The Act's implementation is facilitated through various commencement regulations, introducing legally binding targets in areas such as biodiversity, water, air quality, and conservation. The Environmental Improvement Plan 2023, an update to the 25 Year Environment Plan initiated in 2018, specifies how to achieve these targets, incorporating a review every five years.[4]
Legislation under the Environment Act 2021 specifies legally binding environmental targets:[4]
The Environmental Targets (Biodiversity) (England) Regulations 2023
The Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2023
Environmental Damage Regulations (2015) - implement the EU's Environmental Liability Directive 2004/35/EC, originally introduced in 2009 and revised in 2015.[5]
