THE “green Brexit” promised by the government has not been delivered, with weaker environmental protections in areas such as biodiversity and air quality, campaigners warn.

Greener UK, a coalition of environmental groups, has been tracking progress on the government’s pledge — outlined by then-environment secretary Michael Gove in 2017 — to deliver a green Brexit, including a promise to maintain and enhance environmental protections.

The coalition’s final analysis concluded that protections related to climate, farming, fisheries and water quality are similar to 2016, but are weaker than they were for chemicals, biodiversity, air quality and waste.

Greener UK said that while the promise of a green Brexit had not been met, there was still time for plans to be strengthened, including via the much-delayed Environment Bill and farming reforms, which are still being finalised.

The coalition warned that new bodies enforcing rules on air pollution and water quality are set to be less independent and weaker than those within the EU, and that environmental principles are being watered down.

There are positives from Brexit, they said, including the government’s ambition to transform farming policy in England by replacing the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy with a system that pays land managers for providing public goods such as flood protection and habitat for nature.

Sarah Williams of Greener UK said: “The government said that Brexit would see improved environmental standards, but laws protecting people and nature are set to be weaker now than they were before.

“There is still time for the government to make its plans stronger, particularly for chemicals and air pollution, and follow through on promising proposals for farming. We really hope it does so.”

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “Now more than ever, it is vital that we protect our precious natural environment.

“That’s why we are working hard to create the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on Earth – rewarding farmers for managing their land in a way which preserves it for future generations, championing sustainable fishing and setting legally binding targets to help restore nature and biodiversity.

“Our exit from the EU enables the UK to set our own world-leading legislation, delivering better environmental outcomes in an effective and efficient way and in line with our own regulatory systems - ensuring we protect and improve our precious environment for future generations.”