This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament

Petition Ban the sale of artificial grass

The sale of artificial grass should be banned in the UK for environmental reasons. It is environmentally irresponsible to allow garden space occupied by grass and other plant life (which processes CO2 and supports wildlife) to be replaced by plastic which does not biodegrade.

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It is widely accepted that planting trees and other plants is beneficial in the fight against climate change due to their ability to process CO2. Grass and other plant life also support our wildlife. Artificial grass offers no benefit to wildlife.

Artificial grass is made from plastic and will not biodegrade. Its manufacture also has a carbon footprint.

For those who do not want the maintenance of plants, decking or patios are an alternative which do not contribute towards the plastic problem.

This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months

11,667 signatures

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Government responded

This response was given on 24 September 2020

The Government has no plans to ban the use of artificial grass.

We prefer to help people and companies make the right choice, rather than banning items outright.

The Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy for England, published in 2018, outlines the ways in which we will meet our ambition to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by taking action across each stage of the product lifecycle as we move toward a more circular economy: www.gov.uk/government/publications/resources-and-waste-strategy-for-england.

It is for local authorities to comply with the legal and policy safeguards in place to protect biodiversity and ensure sustainable drainage. The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006) requires all public authorities to have regard for conserving biodiversity in the exercise of their functions. Our most important designated sites and species are also protected under the EU Habitats and Wild Birds Directives, which have been transposed into UK law, and by other domestic legislation.

Furthermore, the National Planning Policy Framework, revised last year, sets out how planning policies for England are expected to be applied, including taking a strategic approach to meeting the challenge of climate change and conserving and enhancing the natural environment. The revision of the Framework has also clarified that planning policies and decisions should minimise impacts on and provide net gains for biodiversity.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

MPs investigate biodiversity and ecosystems

A group of MPs called the Environmental Audit Committee are investigating biodiversity and ecosystems.

On Thursday 22 October, they will question experts on biodiversity globally and in the UK.

Watch the Committee's session live from 2pm: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/0efc09ae-ad24-45e3-aedd-04f66a1954bf

Find out more about the Committee's inquiry on its website: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/448/biodiversity-and-ecosystems/

Follow the Committee on Twitter for updates: @CommonsEAC

###What is the Environmental Audit Committee?

The Environmental Audit Committee looks at and questions how the Government:
 
·         protects the environment
·         contributes to sustainable development
·         performs against sustainable development and environmental protection targets
 
It's a cross-party committee and is independent of the Government.
 
This is a ‘select committee’. Find out how Select Committees work:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_2RDuDs44c

Tell MPs what you think about the Climate Assembly’s recommendations for net-zero emissions

MPs from six select committees of the House of Commons joined together to set up a citizens’ assembly on climate change to look at how the UK should reach its commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
 
The Climate Assembly UK brought together 108 people from across the UK. Together they were representative of the wider UK population in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, educational level, where in the UK they live, whether they live in an urban or rural area, and how concerned they are about climate change.
 
They worked together to create recommendations to Government.

How can you help? 

MPs want to know what you and your communities think about the recommendations made by the assembly.

Discuss these questions with your school, workplace, family or community group and submit a joint response. It’s a great opportunity to hear others’ views on these issues and to share the outcomes of your discussions with MPs.

Share your answers via this online survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/A464RU/

Please return your responses by Friday 20th November 2020.  

Read more about the Assembly and its recommendations: https://www.ukparliamentweek.org/en/blog/tell-the-climate-assembly-what-your-group-thinks-about-their-recommendations/

Information provided in the survey will be used to inform the select committees’ ongoing work on net zero greenhouse gas emissions.  

What is a Select Committee?

Select Committees are cross-party groups of MPs. They are independent of the Government. 
 
Find out how Select Committees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_2RDuDs44c