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The report identifies systemic failures in English fisheries enforcement, including a lack of proactive surveillance, low prosecution rates, and insufficient fines that fail to deter IUU fishing. It highlights breaches of EU law regarding the maintenance of a public register of infringements and the misapplication of the points system for serious infringements. Furthermore, it notes a legal gap where environmental damage to European Marine Sites cannot be prosecuted unless a specific local byelaw exists, and argues that the current emphasis on reducing regulatory burdens for business undermines the robust inspection required by EU mandates.

The report finds that fisheries enforcement in France is characterized by declining inspection rates, low levels of sanctions that lack deterrent effect, and a failure to implement the EU penalty point system. It highlights a legal contradiction where imprisonment is prohibited for infringements committed beyond the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea, and notes significant inconsistencies in official data reporting across different government agencies.

The report finds that while the Netherlands rapidly integrated EU fisheries control requirements into national law, practical implementation is undermined by resource shortages and low sanctions. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has seen a decrease in staff and funding, and the report notes a potential conflict of interest due to the NVWA's dual role as an inspection and certification authority. Furthermore, sanctions applied by courts are often not deterrent, with repeat offences and the capture of endangered species like the European eel frequently resulting only in community service. Between 2012 and 2014, only 16 penalty points were attributed, suggesting the penalty point system is not widely applied in practice.

The report finds that Ireland has largely failed to implement the EU Control Regulation, specifically regarding the penalty point system for fishing licence holders and masters, and the establishment of a national register of infringements. Enforcement relies almost exclusively on criminal proceedings, which the study argues are too infrequent and the resulting fines too low to serve as an effective deterrent. The document highlights a lack of transparency in public reporting and a lack of guidance on defining 'serious infringements,' which undermines the ability to apply proportionate and dissuasive sanctions.

The report argues that the draft European Union (Withdrawal) Bill jeopardises the UK's environment and legal system by transferring excessive power to Government Ministers and failing to guarantee the retention of all EU environmental laws and governance functions. It identifies three primary risks: a democratic deficit caused by broad ministerial powers and inadequate scrutiny; a reduction in environmental protection due to the loss of overarching principles and incomplete transposition of Directives; and a governance gap resulting from the absence of independent replacements for EU institutions. The authors recommend that retained EU law only be modified by Acts of Parliament, that environmental principles be explicitly retained, and that new, independent governance mechanisms be established through primary legislation.

The document outlines Belgium's legal framework for the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), noting that while the penalty regime allows for high fines and imprisonment, enforcement is hindered by low human and financial resources. Between March 2013 and mid-July 2017, the Competent Authority conducted only 26 checks on operators. It also details the limited legal avenues for NGOs to challenge inaction by the Competent Authority regarding substantiated concerns.

ClientEarth responds to the European Commission's consultation on the interface of chemical, product, and waste legislation. The organization argues that circular economy goals should not override human health and environmental protections, warning against 'differential treatment' for recycled materials in REACH restrictions. It calls for improved information systems on chemical compositions, stricter enforcement of REACH Article 33 regarding consumer information, and a focus on preventing hazardous chemicals from entering the economic cycle to ensure the long-term viability of recycling.

The report evaluates Spain's fisheries enforcement framework, finding that while the country has become an EU leader in combating IUU fishing through high-profile operations like 'Sparrow', significant gaps remain in the application of the penalty point system, engine power verification, and traceability controls. It highlights a general lack of transparency in implementation data and recommends legislative amendments to allow criminal prosecution of IUU fishing in international waters.

The document describes the use of Palmes-type NO2 diffusion tubes to monitor air quality across several Brussels locations from 19 February to 20 March 2017. It details the placement of tubes according to Directive 2008/50/EC, the laboratory analysis by Gradko International Limited, and a validation process at the Avenue de la Couronne station which revealed a 24% under-estimation of concentrations by the diffusion tubes. ClientEarth notes it adopted a conservative approach by using the lowest recorded concentrations for locations with multiple samples and publishing raw data without applying the bias correction factor.

The document analyzes the proposed EU DSO entity, identifying risks such as conflicts of interest in drafting Network Codes (NCs) and potential discrimination against smaller market players. It evaluates four options: scrapping the proposal, creating an independent Consultation Forum, embedding strong regulatory safeguards, or limiting the EU DSO's mandate while transferring rule-setting tasks to ACER. The author concludes that a combination of strong safeguards and a limited consultative mandate is the most desirable approach to ensure non-discrimination and alignment with EU climate and energy goals.

ClientEarth argues that the most effective way to ensure EU 2030 energy and climate targets are met is through binding national targets enshrined in EU law. As an alternative, the organization suggests using non-binding reference values (benchmarks) linked to EU funding incentives to encourage high ambition. The document also recommends strengthening the role of the European Environmental Agency in assessing national plans and clarifying the Commission's enforcement powers when Member States fail to follow recommendations.

ClientEarth has alerted Glencore and its investors to potential legal risks arising from the company's 2016 corporate reporting. The organization contends that Glencore's assertions—specifically that its coal assets will not become stranded and that demand will continue to grow—ignore critical market trends and independent analyses. ClientEarth highlights that the omission of disruptive factors, such as the rise of renewables and peaking demand in China, could be viewed as reckless or fraudulent under the UK's Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, potentially granting shareholders the right to claim compensation for losses.

ClientEarth warns BP directors of potential lawsuits under the UK shareholder compensation framework if BP's claim that its base case is the "most likely path for energy to 2035" is found to be misleading or reckless, especially if internal evidence contradicts this public statement.

ClientEarth asserts that BP's 'base case' oil demand forecast to 2035 is at odds with independent analysis and automotive industry trends, potentially misleading investors and exposing BP to compensation claims under UK law.

The document serves as a comprehensive manual for Liberian communities to secure benefits from logging operations. It details the legal mandate for Social Agreements (SAs) under the National Forestry Reform Law, outlines the mandatory components of these agreements—such as a code of conduct and financial benefits—and provides a step-by-step process for negotiation. The guide includes a template for SAs and suggested standard clauses to protect traditional practices, water points, and crops, while establishing penalties for company non-compliance. It also incorporates key FDA regulations regarding public participation, land use planning, and benefit sharing.

A coalition of medical experts and environmental advocates calls on Greater Manchester mayoral candidates to prioritize public health by meeting legal air pollution limits by 2020. The letter highlights the severe health impacts of air pollution in the region, noting that legal limits are exceeded in every local authority from Wigan to Stockport. The authors propose the implementation of Clean Air Zones and increased investment in public transport, walking, and cycling, while calling for a new national Clean Air Act to establish the right to breathe clean air in UK law.

A coalition of medical experts and environmental organizations calls on Liverpool City Region mayoral candidates to prioritize public health by ensuring the region meets legal air pollution limits by 2020 through the use of Clean Air Zones and increased investment in sustainable transport.

A coalition of health and environmental experts calls on West Midlands mayoral candidates to implement Clean Air Zones and invest in sustainable transport to address widespread air pollution. The letter highlights that legal pollution limits are exceeded in every local authority in the region, contributing to cardiovascular disease and asthma, and urges candidates to support a new national Clean Air Act.

A joint letter from NGOs to the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, arguing that supporting the revised LCP BREF is essential for public health and environmental protection. The authors highlight that the new standards would significantly reduce premature deaths and health costs in Europe, while complementing the UK's domestic coal phase-out goals.

ClientEarth expresses concern over the incremental delays in publishing the Emissions Reduction Plan | Clean Growth Plan, noting that the government's timeframe shifted from December 2016 to "as early on in 2017 as possible". The organization argues that Sections 12 and 14 of the Climate Change Act require the plan to be published "as soon as is reasonably practicable" following the setting of the fifth carbon budget. ClientEarth highlights that institutional investors require a "detailed policy framework" to mobilize capital for the Paris Agreement targets and calls for a formal consultation process similar to the one used for the 2011 Carbon Plan. The letter demands a revised publication date and an explanation for any further delays.