August 13, 2003—The British Environment Agency has warned that higher fines and more prosecutions are failing to stop multi-million pound businesses from committing environmental crimes. The warning comes as the Environment Agency publishes Spotlight on business environmental performance 2002, its fifth annual report on good and bad environmental behavior by businesses in England and Wales.
Repeat Spotlight offenders, who make up 20% of this year’s list of poor performers, have seemingly failed to learn from previous convictions. Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, commented, “Some companies see fines as just another business cost. Penalties must be proportionate to the impact of the offenses.” Despite fines increasing by 36% and prosecutions by 13%, the average fine per prosecution rose to just 8,744.
There was, however, a 21% cut in serious pollution incidents caused by businesses, as well as significant reductions in emissions of key pollutants, says the Agency. Particulates decreased by 34%, sulphur dioxide by 14%, and nitrogen oxides by 6%. Greenhouse gas emissions from Environment Agency-regulated process also reduced by 2% despite an increase in power output of 1.5%.
The Environment Agency has introduced risk-based charging, linking license fees to environmental performance. The Agency assesses the risks of an industrial site, and the company’s management and control of those risks. Those who do well are recognized for their hard work while the poor performers are penalized through the publication of their prosecution records as well as higher operating charges. Signs suggest that it’s starting to work, says the Agency.
Spotlight 2002 is available to download from the UK Environment Agency.
