A brief summary of current government consultations of potential interest to RSN members. This is not intended as an exhaustive list of all relevant consultations.

? Download a printable version of the Government Consultationst here

Developing a tree strategy for England – Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Government is seeking views across a wide range of topics on trees and forestry to help inform the development of an England tree strategy. They want to know your views on how government can:

• increase tree planting and woodland creation
• increase protection for trees and woodland
• bring more woodland into management
• maximise trees’ role in supporting the economy
• engage more people with trees and woodlands

They will use these views to develop the England tree strategy. The strategy will provide a basis to support work on:

• 25 Year Environment Plan commitments
• nature recovery
• clean growth
• net zero goals to 2050

This consultation closes on 11 September 2020.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/developing-a-tree-strategy-for-england

Combined Heat and Power (CHP): the route to 2050 - call for evidence, department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Government is seeking views on the future role of efficient co-generation of heat and power to support achievement of UK net zero emissions target by 2050.

They are seeking initial views on:

• the current benefits from Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
• the future role of CHP generation in achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and supporting green recovery
• how the technology might support the decarbonisation of heat and industry

This consultation closes on 4 September 2020.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/combined-heat-and-power-chp-the-route-to-2050-call-for-evidence

2025 UK Border Strategy Public Consultation – Cabinet Office & other departments

This consultation seeks the views and expertise of stakeholders to help develop the 2025 UK Border Strategy and ensure that the government and industry are able to work in partnership together to deliver a world class border.

Responses are welcomed from stakeholders with an interest in the border including:

• the border industry and its representative bodies
• logistics firms and those who support others to move goods through cross-border supply chains
• UK or international businesses who trade across the UK border or who are considering doing so
• organisations who depend upon the movement of goods or people across the UK border
• groups representing commercial and leisure travellers
• experts on border processes, procedures and technology

This consultation closes at 11:55pm on 28 August 2020.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/2025-uk-border-strategy-public-consultation

Review of The Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders – Department for Transport

This consultation is seeking views on proposed changes to The Highway Code to improve safety for vulnerable road users, particularly the groups of:

• cyclists
• pedestrians
• horse riders

The main alterations to the code being proposed are:

• introducing a hierarchy of road users which ensures that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others
• clarifying existing rules on pedestrian priority on pavements, to advise that drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road,
• providing guidance on cyclist priority at junctions to advise drivers to give priority to cyclists at junctions when travelling straight ahead
• establishing guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking cyclists and horse riders

This consultation closes on 27 October 2020.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-highway-code-to-improve-road-safety-for-cyclists-pedestrians-and-horse-riders

Creating a plan to decarbonise transport: call for ideas – Department for Transport

This consultation is asking the public about their ideas for:

1. the steps we should take to reduce emissions from transport
2. creating a plan to ensure the UK transport is net zero in emissions by 2050

This consultation and plan builds from the information in ‘Decarbonising transport: setting the challenge’ released in March 2020.

This consultation closes on 31 August 2020.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/creating-a-plan-to-decarbonise-transport-call-for-ideas