EU survey shows 59 per cent of Brits want better environmental protection
The environment is something the British public cares about: 59% of the public would like to see better environmental protection.
This is according to a Eurobarometer survey commissioned by the European Parliament.
At EU level 67% of EU-wide respondents expressed support for more action on environmental action, compared to 59% in the UK and 62% in Ireland.
The EU is able to act in most areas of environmental policy, such as air and water pollution, waste management and climate change.
The EU institutions are currently implementing the Paris agreement, including a reform of the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme; a target to reduce the EU's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030; and EU legislation promoting renewable energy.
Parliament and Council negotiators have recently reached a deal on legislation to improve the quality of air.
These contain plans for more ambitious national caps on emissions of key pollutants by 2030, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulates and sulphur dioxide.
In the wake of the Volkswagen scandal, Parliament set up an inquiry committee to investigate the scandals of falsified car emissions measurements.
Parliament says it is also keen to stimulate the move towards a "circular economy", which is partly about making products last longer through re-cycling and re-use.
In addition MEPs are working on legislation for a better waste management.
The use of plastic carrier bags in Europe will be drastically reduced under legislation approved by Parliament.
There is also Natura 2000, the world's largest coordinated network of protected areas. It covers more than 18% of the EU's land area and nearly 6% of its marine territory.
The survey was conducted among 27,969 people from all over the EU between 9 April and 18 April.