This briefing is part of a series of stocktakes from Green Alliance’s Legislation and Governance Unit on the state of UK environmental law five years after Brexit. In it, we focus on the UK’s trade policy and its impact on the environment. 

Since Brexit, the UK has sought to establish itself as an independent trading nation, but the rush to secure trade deals has led to inconsistencies in environmental commitments and concerns over the impact on UK businesses and consumers. 

To address these challenges, this briefing recommends a clearer and more accountable trade policy. This includes integrating environmental goals into the upcoming trade strategy, setting core sustainability standards for imports, improving parliamentary scrutiny and strengthening cooperation with the UK’s largest trading partner, the EU.  

By adopting these measures, the UK can create a trade policy that supports businesses, upholds sustainability commitments and reinforces its position as a responsible global trading partner.