James Bevan (diplomat): Difference between revisions
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→Career: This change replaces a factually incorrect statement as Sir James Bevan made no "decision" to amend the Water Framework Directive (as per the original source). The referenced article is a speech in which Sir James Bevan refers to the Water Framework Directive. |
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Bevan became Chief Executive of the [[Environment Agency]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sir James Bevan has been appointed chief executive of the Environment Agency|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environment-agency-appoints-new-chief-executive}}</ref> The Environment Agency's stated aims include confronting climate change, promoting [[sustainable growth]], enhancing the nation's resilience to flooding and drought, and protecting the environment. He has been outspoken<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/speech-climate-change-too-true-to-be-good|title=Speech - Climate change: too true to be good|website=GOV.UK|language=en|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/escaping-the-jaws-of-death-ensuring-enough-water-in-2050|title=Escaping the jaws of death: ensuring enough water in 2050|website=GOV.UK|language=en|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref> on the need to tackle the climate emergency and its consequences, and on the benefits for business and wider society of doing so successfully. |
Bevan became Chief Executive of the [[Environment Agency]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sir James Bevan has been appointed chief executive of the Environment Agency|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environment-agency-appoints-new-chief-executive}}</ref> The Environment Agency's stated aims include confronting climate change, promoting [[sustainable growth]], enhancing the nation's resilience to flooding and drought, and protecting the environment. He has been outspoken<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/speech-climate-change-too-true-to-be-good|title=Speech - Climate change: too true to be good|website=GOV.UK|language=en|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/escaping-the-jaws-of-death-ensuring-enough-water-in-2050|title=Escaping the jaws of death: ensuring enough water in 2050|website=GOV.UK|language=en|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref> on the need to tackle the climate emergency and its consequences, and on the benefits for business and wider society of doing so successfully. |
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In a speech in 2020 “In praise of red tape: getting regulation right” Bevan called for reforms to inherited EU law in order to “regulate better and achieve higher environmental standards”. He argued for repeal of the Floods Directive; for reform of the Water Framework Directive to deliver better outcomes; and for retention of the Bathing Water Directive. He concluded that “good regulation is not red tape: it is what gets you green growth and a blue planet.<ref>https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/in-praise-of-red-tape-getting-regulation-right</ref> |
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Bevan undertook a controversial decision to weaken environmental standards of rivers as part of post-Brexit proposals which would amend the EU’s [[Water Framework Directive]] (WFD). Just 14% of English rivers have been assessed under the directive as good. The directive sees water quality as an area that can have the most significant impact on the environment and examines factors such as biology, physical character, depth, width, flow and pollution as part of the four tests. Bevan's proposal would see quality only reflecting one of the four criteria which campaigners believe would present a false view of water quality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/19/environment-agency-chief-backs-plan-to-water-down-river-cleanliness-rules-james-bevan|title= Environment Agency chief supports plan to weaken river pollution rules |website=theGuardian.com|date= 19 August 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-08-19}}</ref> |
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He said in 2021 during the annual conference of the [[Association of British Insurers]] that extreme [[Flood|flooding]] in UK indicates urgent need for change if humanity is to survive.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Climate crisis hits 'worst case scenario' levels – Environment Agency head {{!}} Environment Agency |url=https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/23/climate-crisis-hitting-worst-case-scenarios-warns-environment-agency-head|access-date=2021-09-21|website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Watching the wolf: Why the climate emergency threatens us all|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/watching-the-wolf-why-the-climate-emergency-threatens-us-all|access-date=2021-09-21|website=GOV.UK|language=en}}</ref> |
He said in 2021 during the annual conference of the [[Association of British Insurers]] that extreme [[Flood|flooding]] in UK indicates urgent need for change if humanity is to survive.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Climate crisis hits 'worst case scenario' levels – Environment Agency head {{!}} Environment Agency |url=https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/23/climate-crisis-hitting-worst-case-scenarios-warns-environment-agency-head|access-date=2021-09-21|website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Watching the wolf: Why the climate emergency threatens us all|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/watching-the-wolf-why-the-climate-emergency-threatens-us-all|access-date=2021-09-21|website=GOV.UK|language=en}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 13:48, 9 August 2022
Sir James Bevan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chief Executive of the Environment Agency | |
| Assumed office 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Leinster |
| High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to India | |
| In office 2011–2015 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Richard Stagg |
| Succeeded by | Dominic Asquith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 July 1959 |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe |
| Alma mater | Sussex University |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
Sir James David Bevan KCMG (born 13 July 1959) is the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency and a former British diplomat.
Early life
Bevan was born on 13 July 1959. He was educated at the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe and Sussex University.
Career
He joined the British Diplomatic Service in 1982 and served in Kinshasa, Brussels, Paris, and Washington, as well as various posts in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He was a visiting fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard (2006–07) and the Chief Operating Officer of the FCO (2007–11). He was the UK's High Commissioner to India from 2011-15.[1][2]
Bevan became Chief Executive of the Environment Agency in 2015.[3] The Environment Agency's stated aims include confronting climate change, promoting sustainable growth, enhancing the nation's resilience to flooding and drought, and protecting the environment. He has been outspoken[4][5] on the need to tackle the climate emergency and its consequences, and on the benefits for business and wider society of doing so successfully.
In a speech in 2020 “In praise of red tape: getting regulation right” Bevan called for reforms to inherited EU law in order to “regulate better and achieve higher environmental standards”. He argued for repeal of the Floods Directive; for reform of the Water Framework Directive to deliver better outcomes; and for retention of the Bathing Water Directive. He concluded that “good regulation is not red tape: it is what gets you green growth and a blue planet.[6]
He said in 2021 during the annual conference of the Association of British Insurers that extreme flooding in UK indicates urgent need for change if humanity is to survive.[7][8]
Personal life
Sir James is married with three daughters.
Honours
Bevan was appointed CMG in 2006 and knighted KCMG in 2012.
References
- ^ High Commissioner's biography – UK in India
- ^ Change of British High Commissioner to India, Foreign and Commonwealth Office press release, 9 May 2011
- ^ "Sir James Bevan has been appointed chief executive of the Environment Agency".
- ^ "Speech - Climate change: too true to be good". GOV.UK. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ "Escaping the jaws of death: ensuring enough water in 2050". GOV.UK. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/in-praise-of-red-tape-getting-regulation-right
- ^ "Climate crisis hits 'worst case scenario' levels – Environment Agency head | Environment Agency". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ "Watching the wolf: Why the climate emergency threatens us all". GOV.UK. Retrieved 21 September 2021.