Minister of State for International Environment facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Minister of State for International Environment
Royal Arms of His Majesty's Government
Incumbent Vacant since 25 October 2022
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Reports to	Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Nominator	Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Appointer	The King (on the advice of the Prime Minister)
Term length	At His Majesty's pleasure
Formation	2019
First holder	The Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

The Minister of State for International Environment is an important job in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (often called Defra). This person helps the UK government work with other countries on protecting our planet. The role is currently empty since October 2022.

What Does This Minister Do?

This minister has many key tasks related to the environment around the world. Their main goal is to help protect nature and fight climate change on a global scale.

Protecting Our Planet Globally

The minister's responsibilities include:

• Working with other countries on environmental issues, climate change, and protecting different kinds of plants and animals (biodiversity).
• Looking after the welfare of animals, both in the UK and internationally.
• Making rules about forests, both in the UK and around the world.
• Representing the UK at the International Whaling Commission, which works to protect whales.
• Dealing with international ocean issues, like how oceans affect climate, protecting sea life, stopping plastic pollution in the sea, and finding ways to pay for ocean protection.
• Fighting against the illegal trade of wild animals and plants.
• Helping countries recover in a "green" way after difficult times, meaning they rebuild in ways that are good for the environment.
• Finding ways to fund environmental projects around the world.
• Leading the Forestry Commission, which manages forests in England.
• Being the main minister in the House of Lords for environmental matters, including the Environment Bill.

Who Has Held This Role?

This role was created in 2019. Here are some of the people who have served as Minister of State for International Environment:

• The Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
  • He was the first person to hold this job.
  • He served from July 2019 to February 2020 as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment and International Development.
  • Then, from February 2020 to September 2022, he was the Minister of State for the Pacific and the International Environment.
  • He was part of the Conservative Party and served under Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

• The Lord Benyon
  • He served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Environment.
  • He held the role from September 2022 to October 2022.
  • He was also part of the Conservative Party and served under Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Lord Benyon

See Also

• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Minister of State for Food
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Growth and Rural Affairs