Environment Agency Chief Regulator’s report 2024-25

Question 1

Foreword by the Environment Agency’s Chief Regulator, Jo Nettleton

Accepted Answer

Since my last report, the scale and urgency of the challenges facing us and the environment have become ever more apparent. Climate change, economic strain, and accelerating nature loss are pressing realities. Yet with clear leadership, deeper understanding, and stronger tools, we are working to turn challenge into opportunity - supporting businesses, protecting communities and driving the change our environment demands.

While this report remains our cornerstone for sharing regulatory insights and performance updates, it marks the beginning, not the end of the conversation. We will continue to engage throughout the year across a range of channels to share updates, explore emerging issues, and keep the conversation going.

The government’s growth mission, the transformative power of digital innovation and artificial intelligence, and the energy and creativity of businesses nationwide are all shaping how we evolve our regulation. Alongside this, the passion of communities and NGOs striving for environmental progress is also inspiring change to ensure our regulation is fit for the future.

The Environment Agency has published its strategy EA2030, outlining clear goals to support healthy air, land, and water, while promoting nature’s recovery, sustainable growth, and climate resilience. Central to this strategy are the principles that guide how we work to achieve these outcomes. This report highlights how our regulatory efforts are helping to deliver our EA2030 goals, grounded in those guiding principles.

Good regulation is at the heart of our country’s ambition. Recognising this, the government has undertaken some key reviews of regulators, including the Environment Agency. The recommendations and commitments are helping to shape our regulatory transformation. In this report I will set out the progress we have made in transforming our regulatory practices and modernising our digital systems. These improvements are enabling a faster, smarter, and more consistent approach to regulation.

In my first report, I spoke about the need to support sustainable growth and innovation, but also the need for us to be a regulator that has real teeth; holding to account those who fall below standard, so that they improve and there is a level playing field for the very many businesses that do comply. In this year’s report, I am sharing some examples of where we have put this into action, as well as our plans to tackle some of the most challenging areas.

This main report focuses on the performance of three sectors, and the accompanying evidence pack provides information on other sectors and regulatory regimes we regulate. It reflects on the progress achieved by both the Environment Agency and those we regulate. It also provides a clear and honest assessment of the challenges that still need to be addressed. I am proud of what has been achieved, but I’m equally focused on what must come next.

I continue to shine the light on areas where we need to improve. Pinpointing our transformation priorities is essential to drive meaningful change. Throughout this report, I will share some of the work we are doing to increase the effectiveness of our regulation. Key areas include shaping internal culture, developing assurance frameworks, and evolving our evaluation methods to ensure we are making the right impact.

The sections focusing on the performance of the water industry, agriculture and waste sectors demonstrate what can be achieved with the right resources in place. With increased capacity, we are beginning to uncover the true scale of the challenges ahead - most notably, the rise in serious pollution incidents. Having a clearer view of the reality we face is essential to being an effective regulator. Enhanced intelligence enables us to take timely and targeted action to protect and restore the environment, including preventing pollution before it occurs. This is already driving meaningful change, for example, the data already collected has helped secure water company investment for the period 2025 to 2030.

This approach must extend across all the sectors we regulate. By making evidence-based decisions, we can direct our resources where they are most needed and most effective, applying the appropriate regulatory tools to each situation.

We continue to seek innovative ways to support industry, drive compliance, and deliver environmental outcomes. I am delighted that this report showcases that work with examples and case studies that demonstrate how we are making a difference on the ground.

Regulation is, and will remain, the lifeblood of the Environment Agency. Our regulatory staff are central to our ability to deliver for people, nature and growth, and I am committed to ensuring they are supported, empowered, and recognised for the vital work they do. I look forward to continuing our journey, strengthening our role, and ensuring that our regulatory approach remains effective, fair, and future facing.

Question 2

Introduction

Accepted Answer

I am pleased to introduce this year’s report. Here I set out how we regulate a wide range of sectors and issues, at a time of growing environmental pressure and public expectation. This report reflects both the progress made and the challenges that remain.

In Part 1 I have drawn from our wider evidence pack to summarise the performance of key sectors and issues we regulate. I highlight areas of concern, acknowledging progress and setting out the improvements I want to see. I have also given a snapshot of broader industry performance. The wider evidence pack contains more detailed insights on the full range of what we regulate, which I encourage you to explore. This section, Part 1, also outlines some of the work we are doing to drive better performance across the sectors we regulate. It recognises the many businesses that are compliant or going beyond compliance. These businesses understand the important role they play in protecting the environment, nature and communities. We will be continuing to explore many of these themes throughout the year, and our wider communications will offer further opportunities to share progress and provide updates.

Part 2 explores our regulatory approach in the context of our new corporate strategy EA2030. This sets out our collective commitment for ensuring people, nature and businesses can prosper together. Effective, proportionate and enabling regulation is a vital component in achieving this. I have outlined how our regulation aligns to the guiding principles in EA2030:

act with clarity, knowledge and conviction
focus on efficient and effective delivery
find solutions to problems old and new
work more closely with partners
serve with care

Then in Part 3, I look ahead to 2030, exploring the direction we must travel and what is influencing our evolution. I consider what must change in the regulatory system, driven by legislative reforms, clearer standards, smarter data use, digital reform, innovation, and proportionate oversight. This transformation is already underway, shaped by internal reform, external reviews, and the need to respond to environmental pressures while enabling sustainable growth. I reflect on how, through EA2030, we are modernising our systems and strengthening our regulatory culture to deliver better outcomes for people, nature, and the economy.

Question 3

Part 1 - 2024 sector performance and our regulatory focus

Accepted Answer

This section highlights the performance of three key sectors – water industry, agriculture and waste. These sectors, in particular, are facing performance challenges, political scrutiny and heightened public interest. There is also a brief summary of wider sector performance, with full details and analysis given in the evidence pack. In addition to reviewing performance, I have outlined some of the work we are undertaking to address key issues and support businesses in achieving compliance.

Our regulatory remit covers a broad range of sectors, which we oversee through a variety of regulatory approaches. The accompanying evidence pack provides performance data on other areas we regulate, such as nuclear and radioactive substances, industrial activities and chemicals. It also covers compliance with Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR), pollution incidents, the protection of water, land and biodiversity, and enforcement actions. We will continue to share progress and highlight key developments through our wider communications across the year.

Given the range of regulated activities, our approach is risk-based and tailored accordingly. Licensing and permitting are central to our core approach, where we monitor compliance through inspections, audits and data checks. In addition, we use advice and guidance, and in some regimes market mechanisms to help drive environmental outcomes. For example, we administer industrial decarbonisation schemes across the UK and regulate them in England. These schemes cover over 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions and have achieved high compliance rates, helping businesses take meaningful steps toward net zero.

Water and sewerage companies

Through increased monitoring and inspections at wastewater treatment works, we have a more comprehensive view of the wastewater assets and their issues than ever before. Our data can now reveal the true scale of the problems that demand urgent action from water companies. We now have the tools and intelligence, with an enhanced enforcement service and new powers from the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025. These will help us identify failures faster. We will also be able to better hold water companies to account. This turns awareness into action and drives the long-overdue change our environment demands.

The data presented below, along with the evidence pack, demonstrates some of the on-going issues within the sector. In July, we published the Water and sewerage companies in England: pollution incident report for 2016 to 2024. This provided a detailed overview of the pollution incident performance of the 9 water and sewerage companies in England. In summary, the report shows a 60% increase in serious pollution incidents, up from 47 in 2023 to 75 in 2024. Three water companies were responsible for 81% of the serious incidents, Thames Water 33, Southern Water 15, and Yorkshire Water 13. Two water companies, Northumbrian Water and Wessex Water, had no serious pollution incidents.

In October 2025, we published our annual report on the Environmental performance of the water and sewerage companies in 2024. In our Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA), 1 of the 9 water and sewerage companies was rated as poor performing, 7 were rated as requiring improvement (2 stars) and 1 was rated as industry leading (4 stars). Collectively the sector achieved a total of 19 stars out of a maximum of 36, down from 25 in 2023. The lowest since the EPA process began in 2011. We have tightened the criteria in many ways since 2011 to meet rising expectations for performance. But the 2024 results bring to an end a steady trend of improvement based on consistent criteria for star ratings 2011 to 2024.

The data highlights the continuing scale of the problems which water companies must take urgent action on to turn the situation around. The good news is that we have come a long way in a few years. We now have the evidence to tackle many of the problems through regulation, transparency and appropriate water company investment. It is important to put the increased knowledge and insights we now have about the water environment into context. For example, more storm overflow monitoring means we have a greater awareness and evidence of the problem.

We led the step change in monitoring storm overflows from 2016. Now all storm overflows have Event Duration Monitors installed with spill performance reports published annually.

This improved intelligence has sparked debate on storm overflow regulation, influencing Environment Act 2021 requirements and the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan (SODRP). We have supported the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in the development of this plan and proposed £11 billion investment from 2025 to 2030, with further funding to 2050. This will target ecological, public health (bathing waters), and spill reduction goals.

It will take time to see results, but our regulatory approach is focussed on improving industry performance, and this in turn will reduce pollution incidents. We are gathering stronger evidence and implementing better tools and tougher enforcement to hold water companies to account. This is already driving meaningful change, as the data collected has helped secure investment for the period 2025 to 2030. It will help tackle the persistent problems of underinvestment in maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure. It will also address sector resilience to the impacts of climate change.

I welcome the introduction of the new statutory requirement for water companies to produce and publish annual Pollution Incident Reduction Plans (PIRPs). Introduced by the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 (WSMA), PIRPs set out short-term, tactical actions to reduce the frequency and severity of pollution incidents. They complement statutory Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs), which outline long-term strategies to improve and maintain a resilient drainage and wastewater system. DWMPs address pressures from climate change, urbanisation, and population growth. They provide the evidence base for water companies’ investment planning to support economic growth over the next 25 years.

In addition to long-term drainage and wastewater planning, it is important to consider how we manage by-products like sewage sludge. Sewage sludge, a by-product of the wastewater treatment process, can be treated and recycled to agricultural land as biosolids. In 2024, over 800,000 tonnes of biosolids were produced by water companies in England, with 93% reused to support soil and agriculture. We remain committed to the safe and sustainable use of sludge in agriculture, ensuring water companies can support productive farming while meeting their environmental responsibilities to protect waterways and groundwater and promote soil health.

Our wastewater treatment works inspections are key to uncovering non-compliance and directing a proportionate response using a range of enforcement options; from advice up to and including prosecution. Find out more about what a water company inspection involves by watching an Environment Officer carry out a water company inspection on our LinkedIn.

Case study: Water Inspections making a difference

We are already seeing our increased inspection programme deliver tangible improvements across the water industry. In one recent case, a storm tank was visibly transformed after a site visit identified a breach. The company acted quickly on our advice, resolving the issue within days. These kinds of rapid fixes show how inspections can lead to immediate environmental benefits.

Before: a storm tank filled with sewage sludge and vegetation growing around it.

After: the same tank clean and operational

But inspections also reveal deeper, long-term problems. Sometimes deteriorating infrastructure is uncovered. These types of issues often require further investigation and investment to put right. By identifying these, we help prevent more serious harm and support better planning.

Every inspection matters and our regulatory presence is helping drive performance and protect the environment for the long-term. Read more about how we’re driving water industry performance in this blog post.

Through our work to transform our regulation of the water industry we have built the foundations for long-term sustained changes in how we regulate this sector. It has allowed us to scale up our regulatory approach to an underperforming water industry. This has been achieved through recruitment to bolster regulation and embed delivery across the business.

We secured funding for our water transformation work through changes to charges applied to water quality (surface and groundwater) discharge permits. These changes increased our income by £51 million per year.

Since the programme was set up in 2023, we have:

created over 500 roles focused on water industry regulation
more than tripled the number of wastewater treatment works inspections to over 4,650 in 2024 to 2025
identified more instances of non-compliance - 25% of sites had breaches
invested to enhance and transform our digital systems

These actions will reduce future pollution incidents and improve compliance with permits by identifying failures quicker and providing evidence on the root causes of issues. Our digital systems improve transparency and our ability to turn data into regulatory intelligence. This will enable a more proactive preventative approach identifying where operational maintenance and investment is needed. However, where necessary it also enables any enforcement action to happen faster.

When we need to enforce and exercise the full breadth of our powers, we will do so. We welcome the proposals being consulted on for increased regulatory powers under the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025. These powers will enable swifter enforcement to drive improved performance from water companies. The new enforcement levy also allows us to recover associated enforcement costs for the first time.

Our largest ever criminal investigation into potential widespread non-compliance by water companies at over 2,000 sewage treatment works continues. Separately, seven cases against water companies are going to court over the next few months. The work outlined above marks the path to long-term sustained improvement.

Water industry performance and how it is regulated has been in the spotlight this year. Sir John Cunliffe was asked by Defra to undertake the Independent Water Commission (IWC) review in Autumn 2024. It was the largest review of the water sector and its regulation since privatisation. The IWC published its final recommendations on the changes needed to transform the water industry in July 2025. Whilst Defra explores how to meet the recommendations, we have already begun ensuring a more joined up and transparent approach.

Further progress is needed. People want a cleaner, healthier water environment. I am committed to help meet those expectations through driving accountability, encouraging innovation, and ensuring that regulation delivers meaningful environmental outcomes. This commitment stands regardless of the direction the IWC reforms take.

Going forwards

We supported the IWC, providing evidence and data to assist its work. We continue to work closely with government as it prepares its full response and reform proposals. We are ready to play our part in shaping a stronger, more resilient regulatory framework.

Our current goal is 10,000 inspections by March 2026. With more inspections and data than ever before, we will be uncovering more issues and now we need an enforcement service to match. We are continuing to recruit more than 80 permanent roles across England to strengthen our ability to tackle water pollution.

Legislative reforms are essential to ensuring we remain an effective regulator. The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 will speed up our enforcement response by imposing faster and more predictable civil penalties for less serious levels of offending. This will allow us to focus prosecution efforts on the most serious breaches. Additionally, the WSMA provides the power to recover enforcement costs from water companies, supporting a more efficient and sustainable regulatory process.

We will continue to support teams by investing in training and digital tools. We are developing a data returns portal to receive and make better use of data to prioritise and focus our regulatory actions. This will include enabling us to efficiently receive or assess near real time monitoring data such as that required for storm overflow event duration monitoring.

Across England, around 7,000 emergency overflows exist at pumping stations, and under the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, water companies must install Event Duration Monitors on all: 50% by 2030 and full coverage by 2035. The first phase of the monitoring is being prioritised to those emergency overflows discharging to priority areas such as designated bathing and shellfish waters, sites of special scientific interest and chalk rivers.

Our intelligence will inform the water companies’ new statutory Drainage Water Management Plans. They will be key in enabling growth by delivering capacity ahead of time as pressures from climate change, urban creep and population growth mount.

While storm overflows have rightly drawn public attention, it is essential we drive progress across all aspects of water company performance. We know that continued investment in sewage treatment works can have a positive impact on water quality. Long-term trends in river quality from 1990 to 2023 show environmental improvements from reductions in pollutants (organics, phosphorus and ammonia) discharged from sewage treatment works.

We also know that the water industry is only part of the picture. Storm overflows, for example, account for 7% of waterbodies failing to reach Good Ecological Status. Agriculture is a significant component, as well as roads and transport. We are working with National Highways to mitigate pollution from high-risk outfalls. Looking ahead, we want to increase the pace and scope of this programme, explore opportunities across the wider road network, and strengthen source control to reduce tyre and road wear emissions. Similarly, we know that in sensitive catchments, the cumulative impact of small private sewage discharges is increasingly felt. We are working to improve regulation of these discharges, including through targeted interventions and future reforms. We are exploring how reform could support a registration facility for small discharges.

Agriculture

Agriculture continues to have a significant and increasing impact, especially on our water environment. In response, we’re increasing our regulatory presence through record farm inspections, stronger enforcement, and active engagement with farmers. With this approach we’re driving real change, holding polluters to account where necessary. At the same time, we are also supporting farmers to improve slurry management and make proactive positive changes to protect our environment.

Agricultural businesses have a significant role to play in protecting water and the wider environment. Our data shows that agriculture continues to have a significant impact, especially on the surface and groundwater environment. This is a concern I take seriously. I am glad that we have started to address this by increasing our regulatory presence in this sector, supporting better environmental outcomes while recognising the essential contribution these businesses make to feeding the nation.

In 2024, farming activities caused 74 serious pollution incidents, increasing from 53 in 2023. This is 12% of all serious pollution incidents in 2024 (the same percentage as those caused by 7 of the 9 water and sewerage companies). Dairy farming caused 48 serious pollution incidents in 2024. The 5-year moving average for dairy serious pollution incidents has increased since 2022.

This trend likely reflects the intensification of farming practices. Farms are consolidating, often without the necessary infrastructure or management systems to support their expansion. Our data shows a clear pattern: while the number of farms is decreasing, pollution incidents are increasing. Climate change and a longstanding lack of investment in the sector may also be contributing factors. We are actively working with Defra to explore appropriate regulatory options. The increase in pollution incidents is a concern, but it highlights the need for our increased regulation aiming to prevent pollution before it happens.

Ninety-two percent of dairy incidents in 2024 involved silage or slurry. The majority of these were due to failing storage infrastructure for slurry and silage liquor and spreading activities. We take a proportionate, advice-led approach but will act where persistent offending or reckless activity is found.

We work with farmers to secure environmental improvements and improve compliance with several environmental regulations. Only some regulations that apply to farming require a farmer to have a permit. The evidence pack has more details on farm regulation.

In 2024, there were 978 inspections of farms permitted under EPR (mostly intensive pig and poultry, and groundwater discharges). Of these, 98% of permits were in the highest compliance bands (A and B).

Where non-compliances were identified, 94% were assessed as being lower risk with no or minor environmental effect (category 3 or 4). Around 20% of breaches resulted in a warning, formal caution or prosecution. The rest were resolved through advice and guidance.

In 2024, we carried out 4,767 targeted farm inspections at 4,348 non-permitted farms. This has increased from 4,675 inspections in 2023 and 3,471 in 2022. As we expected, similar to water company inspections, with more farm inspections, we are identifying more instances of non-compliance.

At 51% of these non-permitted farm inspections, we found non-compliance with environmental regulations inspected for. A common non-compliance was insufficient capacity for slurry storage (33% of inspected farms). One hundred and thirty-nine slurry stores were causing pollution at the time of the inspection.

For me, this demonstrates the absolute necessity for increasing our regulatory resource in this sector. We are undertaking record numbers of inspections that are delivering real outcomes. Through our ongoing engagement with the farming industry, I am confident that we can support the changes needed to shift the direction of travel. It is great to see the impact of our increased farm inspections so far, holding farmers to account and supporting many to make positive changes.

From our 2024 inspections we found that 6,592 of 7,804 improvement actions had been completed (84%). This is very encouraging, and a great response from the farming industry. We know not all actions can be addressed immediately due to factors such as financing, grant funding, and planning that can cause delays.

I’m also really pleased to see the farming community engaging with us. This shows recognition that having good slurry management and infrastructure in place can help to reduce the risk of them causing pollution.

We have seen over 100 grant funding agreements issued to farmers applying to Defra’s Slurry Infrastructure Grant. The agreements are a commitment to contributing 50% of the costs to improve their slurry storage. The grant, which we help Defra deliver, provides partial funding to improve slurry storage. It supports replacing, expanding, covering or building additional stores. The aim is to reach 6 months storage for beef and dairy cattle and 8 months for pigs. The grant also funds items to help manage slurry stores, such as reception pits, slurry pumps, agitators and separators.

Improvements can take time due to gaining the correct permissions, accessing finance and being able to construct in a favourable weather window. This is a real commitment from those farmers. £104.9 million was made available to farmers across rounds 1 and 2.

To support the industry further, during winter 2024 we ran a ‘Winter Readiness’ campaign. It aimed to raise awareness of pollution issues associated with management and spreading of slurry and other organic manures. Our officers interacted with over 330 farmers with warnings sent to at least 23 land managers. One dairy farmer we visited in Cornwall agreed to share his experience working with us to improve his slurry storage in our campaign video. It highlights how increasing slurry storage capacity farmers can stop spreading slurry though the winter. We are continuing our winter readiness campaign this year.

Case study: getting winter ready

In the second part of our winter ready campaign, we visited Tom, a dairy farmer in Cornwall. We found out about the changes he made to slurry storage on his farm and the difference they made when winter came.

Increasing his slurry storage capacity resulted in no more spreading at the wrong time of year. This gave peace of mind and more grass grown when slurry was spread in the spring. The grant-funded improvements Tom had made to his outbuildings meant that he was able to keep rainwater from mixing with manure in his sheds. This resulted in a reduction in the volume of slurry he was collecting.

Fore more information, watch this video on this slurry lagoon case study

Not all actions we identify during our farm inspections are quick and easy to fix. Our officers want to work with farmers not against them, understanding the practical and financial constraints some improvements may have.

We know that awareness of and complexity of farming regulations can sometimes be a barrier to compliance. Our people recognised the value of different ways of communicating with farmers. We created a video to demystify the inspection process and provide clarity on what to expect when regulatory officers inspect a farm. We have also produced guidance for farmers to help them comply with water-based agricultural regulations.

Enforcement is a key part to how we regulate farms. When we find non-compliance, we take an advice-led approach but use our enforcement powers where necessary. For example, if a farmer does not bring themselves into compliance within agreed timescales, we will consider all appropriate action. This also applies where there is actual pollution, or risk of a pollution incident. Enforcement actions can include warnings, penalties, formal cautions or prosecutions. Between 2022 and 2024 there were over 1300 enforcement actions, with 15 being prosecutions.

During 2024 alone, we issued 806 enforcement actions from our inspections. Most enforcement actions were via warning letters and those given in site warnings.

Although I described some of the positive engagement and progress on slurry management, the pollution incident figures show there is still work to do. It remains an area where we are having to take enforcement action. When pollution does happen, it can cause significant environment damage.

Case study: Lancashire farming partnership fined for slurry pollution

A farming business in Lancashire was prosecuted following two separate slurry incidents that polluted a local watercourse. The first incident occurred during land spreading operations when a pipe failure led to slurry entering a nearby brook. A second incident, two months later, was traced to a structural failure in a slurry lagoon. The lagoon had been extended without the necessary regulatory permissions and was located too close to the watercourse.

We investigated both incidents and found breaches of the Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil (SSAFO) regulations. The business was prosecuted for two counts of illegal discharge and one count of failing to comply with slurry storage requirements. The court imposed a financial penalty, including a fine of £3,000 and costs of over £7,000, as well as a £300 victim surcharge.

The business took remedial action following the incidents, including constructing a compliant second slurry store. The case reinforces the importance of following long-standing regulations designed to protect the environment from agricultural pollution.

Going forwards

Effective regulation depends on collaboration. We will continue to work with farmers and the agricultural industry to help them navigate their environmental responsibilities.

We are building on our data-driven approach. We are using tools such as satellite imagery, drone data and runoff-risk maps to target our inspections. This shows an evolution from reactive enforcement to proactive, intelligence-led regulation. It is also essential that we evaluate our approach to ensure we are getting the best outcomes in the most efficient and effective way possible.

We are evaluating the impact of over 12,800 farm inspections delivered through the Agriculture Regulatory Taskforce (ART) between April 2022 and March 2025. Modelling suggests actions taken by farmers between 2022 and 2024 will have reduced catchment scale pollutant losses by <1%. However, this reduction could reach 3% where inspections cover half of catchments and up to 5% for the full catchment. Where inspections are complemented by additional advice and incentives, they could enhance these reductions further. The estimated maximum improvement is 13% to 27% (depending on the specific pollutant). This is encouraging, and I fully acknowledge the value of adopting a broader, integrated approach to effectively address all regulatory issues across farms and drive meaningful progress.

We need to build on this to better inform our next steps. We have commissioned an evaluation of the programme taking into consideration all aspects of advice led regulation. This includes Defra’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes and Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF). We advise the government on the operational impact of policy design, including how to best achieve environmental goals through schemes like ELMs. Our officers work closely with CSF advising and signposting landowners appropriately.

I support the government’s proposed regulatory reforms to simplify regulations, to reduce burdens on farmers, and improve environmental outcomes. The independent review of Defra’s regulatory landscape (the Corry review) was published in April 2025. It recommended a single set of regulations which farmers can understand and comply with. This will involve Defra changing the Farming Rules for Water, and wider regulations relating to slurry application and storage, including permitting dairy and beef. I look forward to seeing the contribution our teams make to this as they continue to work with Defra on their reforms.

Waste and resources

The waste sector is a vital part of the service economy, playing an important role in environmental protection and sustainable growth. Thousands of responsible businesses are investing in innovation, upholding high standards, and delivering essential services with strong levels of compliance. However, some operators continue to poorly manage sites, having an impact on communities, legitimate businesses, and the environment. In response, we are strengthening enforcement and targeting persistent poor performers to ensure regulation supports a level playing field. This enables responsible businesses to invest and operate with confidence. At the same time, we are driving systemic change in how we regulate, with a focus on upstream interventions that support the circular economy.

Our teams, working across the waste sector, continue to tackle the complex and often challenging issues that arise from poorly managed waste. I know the impacts of poor waste management on communities and the environment remain a concern for the public, and rightly so. I want us, and the sector, to keep pushing for the changes people expect to see. That means staying vigilant and working with industry to raise compliance and reduce risk of harm. We also recognise the importance of using a full range of regulatory interventions that drive greater ownership and action upstream. These include our collective work on simpler recycling, producer responsibility and other regimes and interventions that contribute to a shift towards a circular economy.

The sector handles 191 million tonnes of waste each year and contributes multiple billions to the UK economy. It is a diverse and complex industry, with regulation spanning site-based operations, the movement and control of waste, and producer responsibility, both within the domestic market and across international trade.

The waste sector had the highest number of serious pollution incidents in 2024, compared to other sectors that we regulate (23% of serious incidents).

We recorded 146 serious pollution incidents from permitted and exempt waste management activities at 50 sites in 2024. This is a 57% increase compared with 93 incidents in 2023.

The landfill and deposit for recovery sector alone caused 76 serious pollution incidents in 2024. This is more than any other waste sector and almost triple the number of serious incidents it caused in 2023. Of these 76 incidents, 63 (83%) related to odour pollution (reported across 13 different landfills, with 65% linked to just 4 sites). I recognise the real impact this can have on local communities, and it remains a focus for us.

Our work to reduce incidents at landfill sites focuses on prioritising operational improvements through proactive regulation. This includes managing gas and tackling waste misdescription to ensure sites only accept the right waste, minimising the risk of odorous emissions.

We are also focusing on poor performing waste management operators and directing resources to sites presenting a high fire risk or risk of abandonment.

Unlike other waste facilities that may be abandoned, in a landfill waste is permanently deposited. Therefore, action cannot be taken to remove this waste where it presents a serious risk of pollution. Landfill abandonment has historically been prevalent at older closed landfills. However, in the period 2023 to 2025, 6 operational landfills have been abandoned, suggesting that the risk of landfill abandonment is increasing.

Case study: Walleys Quarry

Our role and powers are limited in respect of abandoned landfills. Once a permit ceases to exist, we receive no further charge income to fund ongoing interventions. We can consider exercising our discretionary powers in limited circumstances.

Walleys Quarry landfill in Newcastle-under-Lyme was responsible for the highest number of serious pollution incidents for landfills in 2024 (15 category 1 and 2 incidents). Most of these were due to odorous emissions of landfill gas, including elevated levels of hydrogen sulphide. After using other enforcement options to address non-compliance with permit conditions, we issued a closure notice to the operator on 28 November 2024. This required them to cease accepting new waste and begin permanently capping the site, while installing additional infrastructure to manage landfill gas emissions.

The operator appointed liquidators on 27 February 2025, who disclaimed the permit and title to the site on 28 February 2025.

The Environment Agency decided on 6 March 2025 to exercise its statutory powers (Reg.57 Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016) to arrange for steps to be taken to remove risks of serious pollution from the site. We have used the Financial Provision, provided by the operator in accordance with its environmental permit, to fund steps to help prevent odorous emissions from the site and to control leachate. Further information is available at Walleys Quarry Landfill Site: Engage Environment Agency.

In 2024, the waste treatment sector caused 58 serious pollution incidents, the second most incidents in the waste sector. Most of these involved amenity issues such as noise, odour, smoke and dust. These are the most reported types of pollution for the sector and can significantly affect businesses and communities. We have created some easy to use and customisable templates to help operators produce amenity management plans. These plans support operators to control these issues and reduce the impact of their sites.

In 2024, our regulatory compliance activity continued to focus heavily on the waste sector, which accounted for 82% of all site inspections conducted. The waste sector demonstrated compliance with 91% of its permits (permits in performance bands A and B). This compares to 95% compliance for the remaining industrial sectors regulated through the EPR.

We recognise the many operators who strive to deliver important services while valuing environmental protection. Despite this high level of general compliance, the sector remains a significant source of concern. The rate of non-compliance in the waste sector (permits in bands D, E or F) is 3.6%, compared with 1.4% for all other sectors combined.

In 2024, 150 (91%) persistent poor performer permits were in the waste sector. Persistent poor performers are those with permits in bands D, E or F for 2 or more consecutive years. These sites are more likely to have their permit revoked.

Persistent poor performers are relatively few, but their impact can be high. They can cause distress to local communities and environmental damage, and disadvantage compliant businesses. We are working with operators to ensure all sites meet compliance standards. Evidence shows most improve over time, but a small number remain persistently non-compliant.

Over 90% of the 295 enforcement notices we served in 2024 were to the waste sector at mostly exporter sites, transfer stations and treatment facilities. There were 34 waste related prosecutions. This included 18 prosecutions for registered companies or corporate entities and 16 for individuals. Our prosecution cases against the waste sector in 2024, led to total fines of around £320,000 and 37 custodial sentences.

Waste crime

Rogue operators illegally dumping or exporting waste, or deliberately mis-describing wastes, undermine legitimate businesses. These actions harm the environment, impact local communities, and deprive the government of tax income.

Waste crime is often deliberately hidden, and so it is inherently difficult to measure. We conduct a National Waste Crime Survey every two years to allow us to track trends. It provides us with independent data by gathering responses from members of the waste industry, landowners and other impacted parties, such as local authorities. Our 2025 survey highlights that only 27% of all waste crimes are estimated to be reported to us. Our waste crime communication strategy outlines actions to educate and encourage reporting by the public, landowners and industry through Crimestoppers, largely via social media platforms. Improved reporting rates are crucial to help us build our intelligence picture on offending in the waste sector and target resources effectively.

Waste criminals are often involved in other types of offending such as drugs, firearms, and human trafficking. Increasingly we are seeing organised crime groups exploit the sector. Waste criminals use violence and intimidation to get their way. They make huge profits by breaking the law and not paying tax. Intelligence sharing with other regulators and policing partners is vital to understand, detect and disrupt organised criminal activity.

Waste crime is fundamentally driven by money. Waste producers pay for waste to be managed, but criminals can make profits by making it “disappear” through illegal dumping, burning or misdescription. Criminals can undercut legitimate operators by offering disposal at below-market rates, drawing in unsuspecting or complicit customers. Waste crime is estimated to cost the country £1 billion per annum.

In 2024, we established our Economic Crime Unit made up of professional financial investigators, financial intelligence officers and analysts, who focus on removing the financial benefits of waste crime. At the end of 2024 to 2025 there were 21 ongoing money laundering investigations that we were providing support on. It also secured 5 account freezing orders and 1 cash detention (£17.9k forfeited, £2.9 million frozen) and finalised 13 confiscation orders totalling £1.55 million.

Case study: pursuing proceeds of crime

We re-opened an inquiry into an offender’s finances after we learned of changes in his financial position and discovered previously undeclared assets.

The offender was prosecuted in the summer of 2021 for waste crime offences. He was given a suspended prison sentence for storing and burning waste illegally. At the time, he was ordered to pay £8,317 costs – an amount capped due to the limited means he declared to the court.

Following the new investigation, we discovered he owned a property that was not declared at the time of sentencing.

At the Crown Court in February 2025, under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, he was ordered to pay an additional £278,493. He was given three months to pay the money or would serve five years imprisonment and was ordered to pay £1,500 towards our costs. A representative said

Waste criminals should be aware how seriously we take their offending, including the benefit they obtain from their illegal activities. They won’t get away with concealing information or their assets, and due to the Environment Agency’s hard work, justice was served.

We use the Home Office’s Management of Risk in Law Enforcement (MORILE) risk scoring methodology. This ensures that we are deploying our resources against the offending that poses the greatest threat, risk and harm. Our top priorities include targeting illegal waste sites, illegal exports, the misdescription of waste, and producer responsibility fraud.

Illegal waste sites are sites that operate without a permit or exemption. In 2024 to 2025, we stopped 743 Illegal waste sites, of which 143 were high risk (against a target of 90 high risk illegal waste sites).

The illegal export of waste undermines legitimate business and can lead to environmental damage and impact communities around the world. Waste is sometimes deliberately mis-described as recyclable material when it is not to circumvent legislative requirements.

We prevented the illegal export of 79,713 tonnes of waste in 2024. The total estimated revenue to the UK economy from the waste we prevented and stopped at site was around £8.4 million. We achieved this through inspections of loads due to leave the country at port, automated paperwork assessments and site interventions upstream in the supply chain.

Alongside dedicated port officers who work flexibly across the country, the team includes intelligence, research, and technical officers. Each plays a vital role in identifying, targeting, and stopping illegal activity.

We have introduced additional measures to tackle illegal exports. This includes increasing desktop inspections of information from waste sites that had issues with exports in the past.

Going forwards

Waste regulation is vital to building a circular economy. It is helping to drive resource efficiency, reduce reliance on raw materials and drive a shift from a linear “take-make-dispose” model. We play a key role in ensuring waste is properly managed. The current waste regulatory reform programme is already advancing circular economy goals. We are working with Defra’s Circular Economy Taskforce, an independent expert group established in November 2024, on sector-specific roadmaps and a circular economy strategy. We will continue to provide evidence and advice to support their work, helping to reduce waste, protect the environment, and boost economic growth.

We are working with government, industry, and stakeholders to deliver the Waste Regulatory Reforms Programme. Reforms being progressed include waste exemptions, carrier broker dealers and waste tracking. These will introduce robust regulation to help disrupt waste crime and ensure the right waste goes to the right place. This is a fundamental step towards a more sustainable, circular economy.

Phase 1 rollout of digital waste tracking will become mandatory for all waste receiving sites from October 2026. Long-term this aims to create a centralised, real-time platform that records every movement of waste from production to disposal. Full implementation of waste tracking will reduce the opportunity for waste to be illegally transported and deposited. This will ensure resources are reused and kept in circulation longer.

We will further advance our use of data and intelligence. This will help us identify high-risk operators and illegal activity. We will work in conjunction with local authorities and police to crackdown on waste crime.

We will continue to apply our scientific and technical expertise to help address legacy issues from contemporary and historical land use. This includes providing advice and regulatory guidance on chemical contamination and waste deposits. We also support others in remediating contaminated land to unlock safe and sustainable development opportunities.

Other regulated activities

While we continue to face significant challenges across the three sectors discussed above, it is important to recognise the progress being made. As I noted earlier, this is not the entirety of our work. I must also acknowledge the strong compliance and excellent work being carried out across other sectors and areas of our operations. Of course, challenges remain - instances of poor performance continue to impact the environment and communities. However, our continued collaboration with these sectors is driving meaningful improvements, helping to raise standards and deliver better outcomes. Our supporting evidence pack contains data and information on the following sectors and areas of regulation:

Performance overview

Below is a snapshot of key performance trends across the other sectors we regulate. The evidence pack contains the full analysis behind these figures, which reflect both encouraging progress in compliance and emissions reduction, and areas where further improvement and targeted action are needed.

In 2024, compliance of other industrial sectors (for example, not including water, waste or agriculture) we regulate under EPR was good. 95% of permits were in the top two compliance bands A and B. This was compared to 92% for all EPR regulated sectors, and 91% for the waste sector. These figures follow a similar trend over the last few years.

Industrial sectors regulated under EPR were responsible for 15 serious pollution incidents in 2024, down from 33 in 2020. This was 2% of the national total. The chemicals sector accounted for 10 of these incidents, reflecting a decline in performance. We are actively working with the industry to understand the causes and develop targeted solutions.

We are also working with the food and drink sector following root cause analysis of pollution incidents from this sector (2020 to 2025). We found recurring causes: non-compliance with existing systems, ageing infrastructure, unclear responsibilities, and overlooked early warnings. These sector-wide issues underscore the need for preventative measures and clearer accountability. We are working with the Food and Drink Federation over the next year to share our finding more widely. This initiative reflects a joint effort led by us and operators to strengthen practices across the sector.

Emissions from the industry sectors we regulate (for example, not including agriculture, waste or water) reduced between 2023 and 2024. These include 5 damaging air pollutants where there are legally binding targets to reduce emissions by 2030. Greenhouse gases from these industry sectors also reduced between 2023 and 2024.

In 2024, impressive compliance rates of 98% were achieved for the UK Emissions Trading Schemes (UK ETS) for installations and for aviation. These schemes aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with a particular focus on carbon emissions. In 2024, the UK ETS for installations operators that we regulate delivered a 11.1 million tonne reduction of carbon dioxide compared to 2023.

Question 4

Part 2 - Regulating with purpose: delivering EA2030

Accepted Answer

Our new corporate strategy, EA2030, sets out our commitment to enabling people, nature, and businesses to thrive together. It has clear goals to: support healthy air, land, and water, supporting nature’s recovery, promote sustainable growth, and build national resilience to climate change.

The government has made economic growth its central mission, with ambitious targets for housing, infrastructure, and clean energy. As the environmental regulator, we are uniquely positioned to support this mission by ensuring growth is delivered in a way that protects and enhances the environment. Our regulation is not a barrier to progress. It is a catalyst for sustainable development, investment confidence, and long-term resilience.

The recent government reviews and plans have focussed on what regulation can do to support growth, whilst maintaining and enhancing environmental protections. It is encouraging to see regulation being considered with such depth and seriousness. Understanding its value and what it can deliver is vital. We also welcome the independent scrutiny of our activities by the National Audit Office and the Office for Environmental Protection. Their insights, alongside the government reviews and plans, play a vital role in shaping and refining our approach. We have taken all these opportunities to present our evidence and share our data.

EA2030 provides guiding principles to help us deliver this dual mission:

act with clarity, knowledge and conviction
focus on efficient and effective delivery
find solutions to problems old and new
work closely with partners
serve with care

These principles shape a regulatory approach that is clear, consistent, and outcome-focused, essential for maintaining market confidence and high environmental standards. By providing early engagement, science-based advice, and predictable regulation, we help guide development to the right places, protect vital infrastructure, and unlock innovation.

In this section of the report, I highlight best practice and progress made in 2024 to 2025 across our regulatory work. I also reflect on how we are improving our approach and the challenges we continue to face as we help deliver the government’s growth ambitions responsibly and sustainably.

Acting with clarity, with knowledge and with conviction

We aim to provide clear, up-to-date guidance so those we regulate understand how to comply and protect the environment. We are improving our regulatory standards, tools and processes. We still have work to do here, but we are listening to feedback and actively working with those we regulate to improve guidance. We are continuing to develop and support our regulatory workforce, recognising the professionalism and expertise many already bring to their roles. By strengthening skills, building consistency, and supporting confident decision-making, we aim to ensure our people are equipped to deliver effectively for people, nature, and growth.

Our people

Investing in our people is a key enabler of success. As Head of Profession for regulation, my focus remains on supporting our teams and fostering a shared set of values and practices across all areas of regulatory work. This collective approach continues to strengthen our identity and reputation as professional regulators.

To deliver effectively for people, nature and growth, we need the right tools, structures and processes in place. We are committed to providing our staff with the best opportunities to learn, grow, and feel confident and competent in their roles.

Over the past year, we have made strong progress in our workforce planning, establishing solid foundations to ensure we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right places. We are continuing to develop a capability framework and enhance our training offer, while also supporting career entry schemes such as graduate programmes, industrial placements and summer internships.

I believe that a culture of continuous learning will drive high levels of technical expertise, strengthening the clarity, consistency and credibility of our regulatory positions.

We have a wealth of knowledge and data on the state of England’s environment. We must make greater use of it to speak with authority and advocate for environmental protection. I’m pleased to see us sharing more of this data, both on business compliance and environmental conditions.

We have begun publishing Compliance Assessment Reports (CAR) online for sectors regulated under the EPR, replacing the previous request-based system. This makes our regulatory work more visible, accessible and accountable. As a result, it is easier for the public, businesses and stakeholders to see how regulated businesses comply with environmental standards. We are taking a phased approach, starting with the publication of water discharge activity and waste and installations CAR forms.

Over the coming year we will continue to make more CAR forms available online. By making our compliance assessments more easily available I hope that we can grow confidence in our regulation. This is how we can build trust with industry and the public. This is just the start, and we are committed to make more information publicly available, showing openness in how regulations are applied. Publishing CAR forms across all regimes will enhance the consistency and quality of inspection data, supporting more robust regulatory decisions. This should also contribute to a long-term reduction in regulatory appeals related to regulatory decisions documented within CAR forms. The evidence pack contains more details about our regulatory appeals process and data.

Other examples of where we are expanding access to data products include the water trading tool and the Water Hub. By making environmental data more accessible, we empower communities to engage with their local environment and take informed action. This transparency strengthens public confidence and supports better outcomes for nature.

Supporting businesses

A well-regulated, visibly compliant sector is essential for market stability and public trust. By sharing data on compliance and decision-making, we help regulated businesses understand our expectations, reduce uncertainty, and promote consistency.

By providing better advice and guidance, we can help businesses understand the regulations that apply to them and how to comply effectively. We are actively gathering feedback from both customers and staff on our guidance documents to ensure their needs are met. This review process is currently underway. In March, His Majesty’s Treasury published their Regulatory Action Plan. Within this they committed to a rapid review and rewrite of the existing catalogue of environmental compliance guidance. The aim of this was to make sure it is fit for purpose, removing any duplication, ambiguity and inconsistency. As part of this we updated the Land Contamination Risk Management guidance. This flagship guidance has been adopted by regulators UK wide. It has provided clarity for industry. The revised guidance has had approximately 1,600 unique page views since it was updated. This number is likely to be significantly higher as it only captures those who have accepted GOV.UK cookies.

We are also working to ensure that internal and external guidance is fully aligned. Our findings are being prioritised based on immediate needs to maximise impact and responsiveness. This clarity enables businesses to plan with confidence, invest responsibly, and contribute to both environmental protection and economic growth. Greater transparency is not just good practice; it is a strategic tool for supporting sustainable development.

For example, our Definition of Waste (DoW) Service continues to provide clarity to industry on the regulatory status of waste-derived materials. This year, the DoW Service has so far provided 10 formal opinions to industry, enabling 362,700 tonnes of material to be placed back on the market as non-waste. These opinions have delivered ongoing annual savings to industry of over £19 million, associated with an estimated 308,000 tonnes of CO₂ savings each year. These outcomes highlight the DoW Service’s continuing role in supporting sustainable growth and the transition to a more circular economy.

In April 2024, we published new guidance for mine water heat system applications, developed with government and industry stakeholders. This supports the UK’s clean heat ambitions and contributes to energy security and clean power. It is part of our new approach to regulating and managing mine water, helping unlock geothermal potential for future development.

Case study: mine water heat systems – a new approach to groundwater regulation and management

We have worked to improve our approach to regulating mine water heat schemes. This has been done collaboratively with the Mining Remediation Authority (previously the Coal Authority), local authorities and industry.

In 2018, jointly with the Coal Authority, we produced a screening tool for mining and groundwater constraints. This helps local authorities assess risks to and from groundwater from sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS). As part of that work, we developed a methodology to delineate groundwater in mine workings. This divides it into mine water blocks - new water management units.

This tool has been built upon to produce a freely available evidence base. It comprises a series of conceptual model reports for mine water blocks in the north east of England. These will help to speed up the process of developing mine water heat developments.

In 2024, we published our joint mine water heat application process timeline and guidance for England with the Mining Remediation Authority. This provides clarification on regulation of mine water heat development.

Focussing on efficient and effective delivery

We are modernising our systems and services to deliver faster, smarter regulation that supports growth and environmental protection. Effective regulation means achieving growth that meets present needs without compromising future generations. It creates fair conditions for businesses to not just operate but to also innovate and thrive. In the face of climate change and global instability, proportionate regulation is more critical than ever, and I fully recognise that.

Transforming our approach

We already have plans in place for many sectors to guide our inspections, set priorities, respond to issues, and promote compliance. However, we recognise there is always room for improvement and the challenges to business and the environment continue to change. We continue to develop our thinking in this space. We are looking at the whole process, right from the regulatory framework and reform needs, through permissions, compliance, enforcement, funding, assurance and evaluation. I share some of our work on this below. We must deliver through our regulation, and assessing our performance is an important part of this. Regulation and our approach cannot stand still if it is to remain efficient and effective.

Regulatory reform

Regulatory reform is an essential part of establishing a responsive and effective framework. Some reform of how we implement regulation is within our powers. However, we cannot make or amend legislation. The reviews of regulation in the last year have been an opportunity to feed our evidence and advice into government. There is a huge amount of work going on in this area at the moment and our staff are working closely with Defra teams as they consider their reforms programmes.

We do have powers to make some standard rules permits. After looking at how we could support businesses to innovate and grow, we developed standard rules for low-risk research and development activities at permitted industrial installations. These were published in March 2025. This will make the trialling and scale up of new technologies and approaches easier for business, supporting growth and innovation. To date, we have determined 11 standard rules applications for low-risk research and development activities and approved four trials.

We continue to work with government on reforms to the EPR. I welcome proposals to give the Environment Agency the power to make, amend and revoke exemptions from the requirement to hold an environmental permit. This will help make the permitting regime more agile in managing environmental risks.

Case study: groundwater activity permitting – implementing legislative reforms

Following recent legislative reforms to EPR for the permitting of groundwater activity discharges, we are easing the regulatory burden on green energy developments. We have publicly consulted on implementing new ‘standard rule’ permitting approaches for specific sectors as a result of these legislative changes.

We have proposed several standard rule permits for groundwater activities. They will allow a significant number of medium to large-scale ground source heating and cooling system developments to benefit from a reduced regulatory burden. We have also implemented deregulatory legislative changes that ensure the majority of small to medium-scale ground source heat pump developments are exempted from permitting requirements.

The introduction of groundwater discharge standard rule permitting will ease the permitting effort for many developments and larger geothermal energy processes. Implementing other groundwater activity amendments to EPR has enabled a more risk-based, proportionate approach to regulating discharges from land contamination site remediation. This supports brownfield site redevelopment and helps bring previously polluted land back into beneficial use.

Permissions

Our permitting performance underpins our regulation. I know capacity challenges have delayed some of our decisions and understandably this has caused frustration for businesses, investors, and communities. In response, we have taken action to improve the speed, consistency and quality of our permitting. Since 2022 we have:

improved our processing speed, bringing queue times down to the lowest they have been in three years, with 79% of applications processed within target timeframes
expanded our permitting workforce by over 150 staff
made progress in clearing historic queues, and reduced our backlog of applications by 50%, focusing resources where delays were most severe
increased technical capability, through specialist training, improved induction programmes, and access to expert mentoring

I’m also pleased with our progress to moving our application and permit management services online. This will make it easier for our customers and is expected to deliver over £20 million of efficiency benefits to external customers.

In 2025, we have further built on these improvements, launching our Accelerated Permitting Transformation (APT) Programme. Our vision is to create a faster, smarter and more consistent service, delivering better outcomes for applicants, people and the environment. This will be supported by progressively updated and improved guidance that will better enable those we regulate to understand their responsibilities. We will be reviewing our regulatory policy to support operators to minimise pollution, enhance environmental performance, while taking better advantage of market and innovation opportunities.

As promised in the government’s action plan to support growth, New approach to ensure regulators and regulation support growth, we have introduced a priority tracked service to allow developers to work with a dedicated team on their permits and track progress. This will result in quicker timeframes and more flexible decision-making in moving developers through the system. It will also enable applicants to better align their proposals with other regulators. The Priority Tracked Service is already supporting a hydrogen capture scheme and is likely to see other schemes in the future.

Case study: Permitting and guidance for complex Hydrogen, Carbon Capture Use and Storage (HCCUS) applications

We have advanced the transformation of our environmental permitting process to meet the high-priority, complex demands of HCCUS applications. Drawing on insights from processing 10 industrial-scale cases with a combined carbon capture potential of 20.4 million tonnes per year, we took action. We have reviewed, consulted on, and updated both industry guidance and streamlined permitting procedures. This work has culminated in the publication of new Guidance for Emerging Techniques, ensuring the system is ready to support innovation at pace and scale.

We developed a process for receiving application information in stages. This is beneficial for these novel or complex proposals (staged applications). It has helped in issuing permits for HCCUS, which include a range of pre-operational measures. It also includes improvement conditions to manage uncertainties in the design and includes performance aspects within the permit applications.

This year we consulted on derived Environmental Assessment Levels (EALs) for a number of amines and amine derivative products associated with Carbon Capture processes. We are now implementing the new regulatory approach for 6 new substances and have further work planned to consult on up to 14 additional derivates.

Compliance

To improve delivery of our regulatory role we have been working on transforming our digital capability to work smarter and deliver better outcomes. This shift is helping us make faster, more confident regulatory decisions, backed by high-quality data, intelligence, and agile systems that support people, nature and industry. For example, we have integrated previously separate systems giving staff streamlined access to unified permitting, compliance and monitoring data. This means our customers will receive quicker, informed responses, across all areas of regulated business which will support compliance.

As part of this we want to make it easier for our regulated customers to provide us with compliance data. Providing platforms for data to go into with a user-friendly interface is important. But this reform also allows us to more efficiently and effectively use and interrogate the data inputted.

Case study: modernising water abstraction licensing services

We are modernising our abstraction licensing services. Decommissioning our old National Abstraction Licensing Database will save us about £240,000 per year.

Our new Manage your Water Abstraction Service (MWAS) allows us to manage water abstraction e-alert and bill abstractors. It also shows summary licence information to abstractors and our staff, and manages abstraction returns.

MWAS allows for returns to be submitted online. In 2024, 92% of data returns were submitted digitally. This transition from paper returns has resulted in combined savings for businesses of around £255,000 per year.

As with any new service, it is important we monitor its usage and track customer satisfaction to ensure it is delivering as intended. MWAS displays a survey to customers when they sign out and in 2024, 83% of our customers were satisfied with the service. Customers can also leave feedback regarding their experience and details if they wish to be contacted. We use feedback to inform and continually improve our service.

Enforcement

We want to better understand environmental risks and proactively direct our enforcement efforts for greater impact. To support this, we are adopting a data and intelligence-led approach to enforcement. We will use the full range of enforcement and prevention powers, targeting those who cause the most harm to the environment.

We are working closely with government to strengthen our enforcement toolkit, enabling us to tackle offending at all levels. This strategic shift moves us away from reacting to isolated incidents and towards addressing root causes at scale, making our efforts more efficient and impactful within existing resources.

This marks a step change in how we operate. We are investing in improved data systems and analytical capabilities to support delivery. As discussed in Part 1, over the last year, we have recruited significant numbers of new enforcement and regulatory staff in the water sector. While it will take time to train and upskill this workforce, we are building a more effective enforcement function for the future.

Funding

Our cost recovery and charging strategy is undergoing significant transformation to fully cover operational costs, modernise services, and reduce reliance on grant-in-aid. We need a flexible funding model to support our goal of becoming more agile and responsive to shifting priorities. This includes greater use of income, improved cost recovery from industry charges, expanded commercial opportunities, and strategic public-private partnerships. We consider the importance of ensuring the cost of regulation and compliance for business is proportionate alongside covering the costs of our regulatory services.

One major shift has come with the introduction of a new enforcement levy targeting the water industry. Enabled by the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 (WSMA) this levy allows us to recover costs associated with enforcement activities, not just permit compliance. The increased regulatory powers introduced by the WSMA will allow us to close the justice gap and deliver swifter enforcement action. It should ultimately deter illegal activity, driving better performance from water companies.

Assurance and evaluation

Measuring, assuring and evaluating our own performance is critical and something I want to see more progress on. We are expanding our focus on wider risk and assurance to help us better identify and manage risks to the delivery of our regulatory responsibilities. We are looking to strengthen our existing approach by setting clearer standards for regulatory control plans, linking them to risk, performance, and assurance. We want to improve our mechanisms for identifying emerging issues and feeding back insights to improve how we regulate.

This work will help guide our national sector lead staff and our regulatory officers on the ground, to consider and identify the most appropriate regulatory approach to take in different circumstances. We are working on improving guidance and looking at priorities that help improve regulatory compliance. The assurances process will be designed to operate at local, sector, and national levels - driving accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across all areas of our regulatory work.

We already evaluate some of our biggest programmes to understand what’s working well and where we can improve. For example, we have in place the Water Industry Regulation and Enforcement (WIRE) Evaluation. It was commissioned to build a robust evidence base demonstrating the extent to which the transformation programme delivers change to both our operations, and how that influences real world outcomes. I am looking forward to seeing the first report and how the investment in our water industry regulation is making a difference. Transforming the quantity and quality of Environment Agency regulatory activity and delivering improved outcomes for communities and the environment.

Our performance

We monitor and publish some of our performance through our Annual Report and Accounts, which details our activities, performance, and finances. The Chief Regulator’s Report is designed to show more on our regulatory performance, giving more narrative and data. The evidence pack contains a wealth of information. By producing these reports, we ensure transparency to ministers and the public.

Our effectiveness as a regulator is reflected in how well we ensure compliance and accountability of those we regulate. It is also reflected in how we support sustainable economic growth.

For example, through our permitting and compliance activities, we support operators in making decisions that lead to the best outcomes for both people and the environment. Facilities regulated under EPR are rated from A (good) to F (poor). In 2024, 97% of permits remained in the top three bands (A to C), consistent with levels since 2013.

We also investigate pollution incidents. In 2024, there were 622 serious incidents, 38% of which involved permitted activities. Our officers work closely with regulated sites after incidents to ensure any changes required are made. We also trying to move more into the ‘prevent’ space, helping businesses better understand compliance requirements so reduce pollution incidents. We are considering what interventions we can apply to prevent pollution incidents from activities that we do not regulate. In 2024, 47% of serious pollution incidents were caused by sites or activities that we do not regulate under an EPR environmental permit.

But when rules are broken or pollution occurs, we apply the full range of enforcement tools, guided by our enforcement and sanctions policy and the Regulators’ Code.

In 2024, we:

Finding solutions to problems old and new

As environmental challenges evolve, our role as a regulator must adapt. In this section, we explore how we’re finding innovative solutions to both long-standing and emerging issues. From enabling circular economy growth and supporting strategic land use planning, to advancing climate resilience and regulating new energy technologies, we are helping to shape a future where environmental protection and sustainable development go hand in hand.

We have various direct roles in facing the challenges ahead. For example, through our approach to waste regulation we’re enabling circular economy growth by clarifying the waste status of materials. We are doing this through our Definition of Waste Service and Resource Frameworks. These efforts unlock reuse, reduce carbon, and support innovation, helping industry turn waste into value with confidence and clarity.

We have a direct role in informing spatial planning and are working with government and developers on strategic land use. This is so we can guide development to places with enough (or potential for enough) environmental capacity. For example, we support new developments where we can, ensuring new homes are built with adequate flood risk protection, supply of drinking water and sewerage services. Early engagement and input into strategic planning reduces risk of our regulation hindering development.

We have rapidly reformed our statutory planning service and are now providing advice consistently within the 21-day deadline.

Case study: working in partnership with Oxford City Council to unlock growth

Our partnership with Oxford City Council has secured the infrastructure needed to allow the development of around 18,000 new homes in and around Oxford. This will deliver change in the area in line with the government’s ambition to unlock growth. It could form the blueprint to unlock more projects around the country where the right wastewater infrastructure is needed before development can go ahead.

We had previously challenged planning applications for new housing over concerns about sewage treatment capacity, which posed a risk to water quality. Following a rigorous process to find a solution, the partnership agreed a scheme to allow for the occupation of development from 2027, in line with local plans.

We have ensured that Thames Water have a clear, fully costed and funded programme of work to deliver water services while protecting water quality.

Water availability

Water availability is a key consideration, and potentially limiting factor, for sustainable development and future growth. Climate change is one of the biggest threats to our water resources. Population and economic growth are also expected to increase water demand for public water supply significantly. Forecasts for water use are also set to increase that demand by a further 1 billion litres per day. This is due to food production, energy generation, cooling of data centres and for direct industrial abstraction.

Our National Framework for Water Resources 2025 incorporates adaptive strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events, droughts, and rising temperatures. It proposes additional actions and expectations for different sectors to improve water supply resilience and better protect businesses and the water environment. These measures are designed to build resilience to ensure climatic disruptions can be withstood and recovered from.

Projects including new reservoirs, major water transfers, water recycling schemes, desalination schemes and a pipeline of new options are critical to supporting the growth agenda. These schemes could potentially supply up to 2.8 billion litres of water a day before 2050. They are being assessed by the Regulator’s Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) – a partnership between us, Ofwat and the Drinking Water Inspectorate. RAPID was highlighted in the IWC review as an example of successful cross regulator working. It is a model that we will strengthen further and expand into other areas of the business where appropriate.

Decarbonisation

We also play a critical role in supporting climate resilience in industry and advancing decarbonisation. We have been active in advising government and developing regulatory approaches to shape solutions that meet both long-standing environmental pressures and emerging challenges head-on, such as the HCCUS programme. It works with industry, regulators, trade bodies and government to provide advice, develop standards and guidance and enable permitting of these new technologies.

Case study: environment capacity in industrial clusters project

New technologies must be fit for the future and able to operate within environmental capacity and a changing climate. With Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) funding, we are providing technical advice on the environmental capacity needed for sustainable deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen. This work focuses on the Humber, Tees and HyNet industrial clusters.

We have evaluated the available evidence and extensively engaged stakeholders across industry, local authorities and regulatory bodies. We are recommending a more strategic approach to long-term industrial planning. More joined-up planning, environmental infrastructure such as water supply, wastewater treatment and waste management can create the services and headroom for investment and innovation. We are sharing that expertise with local and regional strategic spatial and growth plans as well as the forthcoming work on the National Infrastructure Strategy. This will create real, tangible benefits.

We have drawn together the findings from across each cluster. From this, we have made recommendations that cover potential future policy, additional research and monitoring requirements. We have also suggested actions for government, industry and regulators.

The success of the government’s growth and clean energy missions in industrial clusters will rely on continued partnership with us, government, industry and local government. Working together to understand and overcome the challenges and unlock the environmental capacity for sustainable net zero growth.

Enabling innovation in nuclear technologies while maintaining high regulatory standards is another key to helping to support large-scale low-carbon energy. We are regulating the construction of the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C. Both developments are each capable of meeting 7% of the UK’s future electricity needs. In 2024, we continued our generic design assessment (GDA) of the UK Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor design. We also welcomed two new small modular reactor designs into our GDA process.

Climate change schemes

The Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) is an important part of a regulatory landscape that contributes to enabling the UK to mitigate against climate change. ESOS requires large companies and company groups to undertake an accredited energy assessment. The assessment identifies opportunities for them to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions from their operations. The third phase of ESOS was implemented in 2024 to 2025 and included over 8,000 large UK companies. We introduced a digital service in partnership with Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and a new Environment Agency digital helpdesk to help drive compliance.

In 2024 to 2025 we worked to prepare for the 1 April 2025 launch of a new scheme, the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM).

Case study: Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM)

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) launched the CHMM on the 1 April 2025. We helped develop the approach and are the administrator.

CHMM is part of a suite of UK government policies supporting the growth in the UK market for low-carbon heat pumps. It aids the UK’s pathway to decarbonising homes and buildings. This policy is designed to provide the UK’s heating industry with the confidence and incentive to invest in clean technologies. It aims to find ways to make heat pumps a more attractive and simpler choice for growing numbers of UK households.

Manufacturers supplying gas and oil boilers in the UK market must meet targets for the installation of heat pumps in existing properties. These targets are set in proportion to their sales of fossil fuel boilers. Manufacturers can do this by supplying heat pumps themselves or by getting credits from other manufacturers.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We are advancing both our approach to regulating AI and our use of AI in regulatory practices. We also play an advisory role in assessing environmental capacity, particularly in relation to emerging technologies with potential environmental impacts. For instance, technologies that rely on water for cooling or processing may pose significant risks in areas facing water scarcity. It is essential that these factors are thoroughly considered and planned appropriately to ensure the most sustainable outcomes.

In terms of regulating AI, we regulate outcomes, not technologies. This means operators can use AI methods, including machine learning and large language models (LLMs), provided they meet environmental compliance standards. Our approach ensures oversight without stifling innovation, requiring operators to provide clear documentation, validation, and auditable systems suited to the regulatory context. Our approach to regulating AI is flexible, aligned with government policy and global standards, and reflects our ambition to be a forward-thinking regulator. We actively participate in working groups with academia, industry, and regulators to shape standards for responsible AI use.

In terms of how we use AI, we are embedding AI and machine learning into our regulatory practice to improve foresight, precision, and impact. This marks a shift from routine, time-based inspections to a dynamic, risk-based approach driven by predictive analytics and real-time data.

New IT platforms and access to live Environment Agency data enable machine learning models for compliance analytics and intelligence. Ongoing work is embedding these innovations to enhance environmental outcomes while reducing regulatory burden for low-risk operators through proportionate, evidence-based oversight.

Key innovations include:

automated waste returns analysis to detect anomalies and risks of non-compliance or illegal activity
advanced compliance profiling to target interventions and anticipate future issues
optimised assessment scheduling for better resource allocation
integration of economic data to identify environmental insolvency risks

We also contribute to the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law (IMPEL) Artificial Intelligence for Environmental Compliance (ARTIC) initiative, a pan-European effort to develop practical, interoperable, and ethical guidance for AI in environmental regulation. This supports the transition to future-ready compliance models and informs frameworks for AI-enabled oversight.

Working more closely with partners

Collaboration across sectors and borders strengthens our regulatory impact and helps tackle complex environmental challenges. Environmental challenges cross boundaries, whether that be geographical, organisational or sectoral. No single entity can solve these problems alone. Partnership is not optional but essential. Whether tackling pollution, enhancing regulation, or anticipating future challenges, our success depends on strong partnerships.

Stakeholders

There are many forums where our regulatory teams engage with regulated business. From the waste round table to Nuclear Industry Liaison group and our Regulated Business Forum. At the Regulated Business Forum, a platform for industry representatives and trade bodies to discuss regulatory activity and new initiatives, I engage with business. Here I share information on regulation developments and hear from those we regulate about specific sector or cross-sector concerns. Our staff have regular contact with trade bodies, business groups, the public and environmental organisations. We run formal consultations on regulatory changes, as well as engaging more informally.

Other regulators

By collaborating with other regulators and organisations, we can address complex challenges more effectively, leveraging shared expertise and resources to deliver improved outcomes. This includes those we work directly with, but also those with different regulatory remits where we have shared challenges or support national priorities. In our nuclear regulation we work closely with the Office for Nuclear Regulation, in Control of Major Accidents and Hazards (COMAH) we work alongside the Health & Safety Executive. Many environmental issues cross UK boundaries and the solutions do not lie within England alone, making our relationships with National Resources Wales and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency vital.

The lead environmental regulator (LER) work from the Corry review recommendations is a great example of joined up working. The objectives of LER are to:

reduce the time taken for major projects to progress through the planning, permitting and licensing process
improve the experience of developers in engaging with environmental regulators on major projects, including through clearer and more proportionate advice on managing environmental impacts

LER will achieve this by:

streamlining interactions between Defra’s regulators and developers
adopting a proactive, ‘can-do’ culture
quickly resolving conflicting advice
supporting and engaging with developers

We are working very closely with Defra, Natural England, Forestry Commission and the Marine Management Organisation. We have been heavily involved, leading on design of the operating framework. Some pilots are now live, an evaluation process is in place, and we are beginning to see what improvements we can all make by working together more closely.

There are other challenges where working with other regulators adds real value to our, and the wider, regulatory approach. For example, we are looking at how to regulate industries and activities that are starting to use AI. But we are not working alone. We are part of the UK Health & Safety Network of regulators working on how best to approach this.

Case study: Multi-Agency work tackling waste crime and scrap metal money laundering

Our Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC) aims to tackle serious and organised crime in the UK waste industry. It does this by working in partnership with 11 enforcement organisations and two industry partners. The unit shares intelligence, regulatory learning, and plans joint operations. We work in close partnership to deploy the most effective tools to combat waste crime. This collaborative approach uses a range of interventions by us or one of our enforcement partners, to be the most effective methods at disrupting waste crime. Joining forces in this way is the most successful approach to dealing with complex criminality.

Personnel from partner regulators have been seconded into the JUWC. This has included a Detective Inspector from the Met Police and four financial investigators from the British Transport Police. They worked with us on money laundering within scrap metal dealers.

Operation Goldjuno took place in March 2025. The JUWC joined partners such as the British Transport Police, BT Openreach, Local Authorities and Network Rail for a national metal crime week of action. Together, 100 scrap metal dealers were visited and 45 mobile vehicle collectors inspected. As a result 8 vehicles were seized with 3 illegal sites identified and 2 arrests made. The JUWC is also involved in upskilling enforcement and police officers. Over 3,000 officers have been trained via British Transport Police to develop their knowledge and understanding of waste crime and environmental legislation.

International engagement

We network extensively with regulators worldwide on environmental issues and regulation. We exchange best practices, intelligence, and gain insights into developments in legislation and regulatory approaches. This helps inform our domestic approach to regulation and supports a regulatory level playing field across Europe and beyond. It also supports trade on cross-border issues such as waste shipments and chemicals, tackling global environmental issues collectively. It helps deliver the government’s ambition to strengthen relationships with European and wider international partners.

Case study: waste pneumatic tyres exports

We recently reviewed our regulation of waste tyres and their export and found that waste tyres were being treated illegally on arrival in India. Eighty-nine percent of the UK’s waste rubber is exported to India for recovery into secondary products. However, it appeared this was being redirected to illegal operators, carrying out pyrolysis in poorly operated and unpermitted facilities.

We have invested in our partnership working and engagement with the Indian environmental authorities on waste pneumatic tyres. Following the review we have committed to increased verification checks on exporters of waste tyres to India from 1 October 2025 to address the concerns.

We are working with our Chemicals Assessment Unit, UK stakeholders and international partners. Together, we are researching and horizon scanning the treatment and chemical constituents of waste tyres.

In other areas, we take an advisory role. I am privileged to be part of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) International Taskforce of Experts, set up at the request of government of Japan to independently review disposal to the sea of contaminated water arising from the 2011 nuclear disaster.

We also work closely with other international regulators regulating new nuclear and fusion technologies. This brings great benefits, sharing experience and technical knowledge.

Case study: new nuclear and fusion regulation agreements with the USA and Canada

Our regulation teams are working more closely with their counterparts in the USA. A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will ensure that we and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC) can collaborate more closely on environmental regulation. An MoU is a statement of intent, agreed voluntarily between organisations working together. It sets out their commitment, resources and other things they will bring to the relationship.

John Leyland, our Director of Environment and Business, said:

This MoU is a key enabler to collaborating with our US NRC colleagues to protect people and the environment and support long-term energy security. Our engagement with US NRC for the regulation of fission and fusion technologies plays an important part in our transition to net zero energy.

Christopher Hanson, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chair, said:

This important MoU with the Environment Agency illustrates the strong bilateral cooperation between the US and the UK. It is in addition to our longstanding agreement with the Office for Nuclear Regulation, and benefits both countries by providing a means for sharing more information focused on the environmental aspects of regulated facilities, especially related to fusion.

We’re also working more closely with Canada. In June 2024 we signed an MoU with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Serving with care

We prioritise the citizens and the communities we serve, who are at the heart of our regulation. We must serve with empathy and respect, considering the consequences for communities of environmental policies and regulations, and the impacts when these are not complied with. It is my belief that caring for the environment is ultimately about caring for people. Not just now, but also into the decades ahead.

The health benefits of clean air, land and water have long been recognised. Our regulation plays a vital role in protecting this, especially in communities affected by industry or pollution. By setting clear standards, monitoring compliance, and acting where needed, we help reduce harmful emissions, improve air and water quality, and create safer environments.

Waste crime impacts

Our action on waste crime protects communities by addressing the significant impact directly caused by those choosing to operate illegally. Illegal waste sites and the unauthorised burning, dumping, or burial of waste all endanger public safety and damage the environment. Tackling these sites goes beyond immediate health and environmental concerns. By ensuring waste is properly managed and directed to the right facilities, we safeguard valuable resources that can be recovered and reused. Preserving reusable materials reduces reliance on virgin resources, can lower costs, and supports the long-term needs of people and communities. Our regulation also protects legitimate waste businesses who are operating within the law.

Case study: operation Nutmeg

In 2020, we responded to multiple reports of illegal waste activity at two sites in Essex: Bradwell Wick Leisure Plots and Lower Barn Farm. The sites contained large quantities of waste including electricals, household refuse, and demolition materials.

Despite repeated visits and warnings, the operator continued to import and burn waste without the necessary environmental permits. Their actions posed significant risks to human health and the environment and undermined legitimate waste businesses. We deployed drones to monitor the sites and gathered substantial evidence of non-compliance.

In August 2022, the operator pleaded guilty to operating illegal waste sites and disposing of controlled waste in a harmful manner. They were sentenced to 14 months in prison. Upon release, they were ordered to remove the waste and restore the land. We revisited the sites to document progress using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and drones. We checked that the waste removed was recorded correctly and taken to legitimate endpoints and that the volumes removed aligned with the amount stipulated.

In January 2024, Chelmsford Crown Court ordered the operator to pay £85,000 in prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £156.

Image showing waste on site

Image taken using an UAV (drone) showing site clearance.

Training other regulators

Training others with a regulatory remit in the industries we oversee enhances our collective understanding of business needs and strengthens our shared ability to protect the people and communities we serve.

Case study: working with United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

Our National Odour team works closely with the UKHSA on issues of odour and public health. We organised a series of joint site visits. This was to give UKHSA a better understanding of the financial and operational challenges faced by the operators of the industrial sites we regulate.

Most recently we arranged for UKHSA staff to visit FCC’s Sutton Courtenay Landfill Site in Oxfordshire. The top of the Sutton Courtenay’s landfill site offered a sweeping view of the range of our industrial regulation activities. This includes Didcot B power station, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Association’s (UKAEA) fusion energy research site, a large data centre, several waste transfer stations, a compost site and an inert landfill site.

Joint visit between the Environment Agency and UKHSA at a landfill site, Oxfordshire.

Responding to climate change

Climate change adaptation and resilience is an important part of our work to protect the public from the impacts of climate change. We are enabling climate resilience through our regulatory approach, supporting operators to manage climate risks. During 2024 operators and permit holders in scope were required to produce an initial risk assessment. This will help them better understand the specific risks of climate change both to and from their business.

We are working to transform our regulation to ensure we are effective and resilient through the decades ahead. From building climate resilience into new and existing permit standards, to working with Defra on the Reservoir Safety Reform Programme.

Question 5

Part 3 – Forward Look and challenges

Accepted Answer

Regulation in 2030: A system in transition

By 2030, I envisage that environmental regulation in England will have become more agile, flexible, and outcome focused. This will be achieved through clearer standards, improved use of data, and more proportionate oversight. This transformation is underway, driven by internal reform, external reviews, and the need to respond to environmental pressures while enabling sustainable growth. I know the system will not be fully transformed by 2030. However, I expect the direction of travel to be clear and the foundations for long-term change to be firmly in place.

We do not have all the answers or powers for change ourselves. Progress depends on close collaboration with government, businesses, environmental stakeholders and communities. Together, we are working to shape a regulatory framework that is fit for the future.

Drivers for Change

Environmental complexity is increasing

We face urgent and interconnected challenges including nature depletion, water pollution, poor air quality, ineffective waste management, and climate change. These are real pressures on ecosystems, communities, and the economy.

The need for national growth and innovation

Regulation must enable sustainable development, support innovation such as low-carbon solutions, and unlock circular economy models to help the country thrive. Recent reviews have assessed whether environmental regulations are fit for purpose and outcome focused. They also examined alignment with the Environmental Improvement Plan, the Environment Act 2021, and proposed regulatory reforms.

Limitations of current legislation

While existing legislation offers environmental protection, many were not designed to meet today’s environmental targets. They lack the flexibility and agility needed to adapt to emerging challenges.

Internal transformation through EA2030

We are modernising our systems, strengthening our organisational culture, and building capability to evolve how we regulate through our 5-year corporate strategy.

What will be different by 2030?

We are helping to build a regulatory system that delivers better outcomes for people, nature, and the economy. By 2030, I would like to see:

Fewer incidents, higher compliance

Our interventions will be sharper, earlier, and more effective. Clear, consistent standards and early engagement will support businesses to take a more proactive role in environmental protection. This will help improve compliance, prevent serious incidents, and enable better responses to emerging threats.

Smarter, risk-based regulation

Targeted effort where it matters most, guided by data and insight to assess risk and enable innovation. Our actions are proportionate - light-touch where appropriate, firm where necessary.

A confident profession

Regulators who are capable, trusted, and proud of their role in environmental protection and sustainable development. Our culture, values, and behaviours will drive measurable improvements in performance. We will attract and retain talented people through clear career pathways and professional development. With the right skills and support, our regulators will move seamlessly across roles, embracing innovation, creative solutions, and new technologies to deliver better outcomes.

Digital by design

Data and technology will underpin everything we do, enabling evidence-based, efficient, and proportionate regulation. Digital systems will streamline high-volume services, improve customer experience, and support faster, smarter decisions. Real-time data will enhance transparency, strengthen environmental protection, and empower communities with timely information.

Earned autonomy

Reducing burdens for compliant businesses, whilst poor performers will be held to account.

Improved early engagement

We will strengthen early engagement with regulated businesses by providing timely advice and guidance that supports their plans and protects the environment. This will help identify and resolve potential issues before they arise and give businesses the confidence to plan and invest for the long-term.

Integrated oversight

Our assurance and control frameworks will give our regulatory staff clarity, confidence, and shared values - creating a unified regulatory culture.

Chief Regulator’s vision for 2030

By 2030, I want to see a regulatory system that is trusted, transparent, delivers meaningful outcomes, and adapts confidently to change. It should empower innovation, uphold environmental standards, and respond swiftly to emerging risks. Our regulators will be equipped with the tools, skills, and authority to make sound, evidence-based decisions. I expect meaningful progress toward a more flexible and outcome-focused regulatory framework, even if full legislative reform takes longer. The groundwork will be laid, and early changes will signal a clear direction of travel, aligning regulation with long-term environmental goals and enabling smarter, more responsive decision-making. Achieving this will also depend on strong collaboration with Defra, industry, and others to shape a system that works for the future.

Dr Jo Nettleton – Chief Regulator – Environment Agency

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Foreword by the Environment Agency’s Chief Regulator, Jo Nettleton

Introduction

Part 1 - 2024 sector performance and our regulatory focus

Water and sewerage companies

Case study: Water Inspections making a difference

Going forwards

Agriculture

Case study: getting winter ready

Case study: Lancashire farming partnership fined for slurry pollution

Going forwards

Waste and resources

Case study: Walleys Quarry

Waste crime

Case study: pursuing proceeds of crime

Going forwards

Other regulated activities

Performance overview

Part 2 - Regulating with purpose: delivering EA2030

Acting with clarity, with knowledge and with conviction

Our people

Using and sharing our environmental data

Supporting businesses

Case study: mine water heat systems – a new approach to groundwater regulation and management

Focussing on efficient and effective delivery

Transforming our approach

Regulatory reform

Case study: groundwater activity permitting – implementing legislative reforms

Permissions

Case study: Permitting and guidance for complex Hydrogen, Carbon Capture Use and Storage (HCCUS) applications

Compliance

Case study: modernising water abstraction licensing services

Enforcement

Funding

Assurance and evaluation

Our performance

Finding solutions to problems old and new

Case study: working in partnership with Oxford City Council to unlock growth

Water availability

Decarbonisation

Case study: environment capacity in industrial clusters project

Climate change schemes

Case study: Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM)

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Working more closely with partners

Stakeholders

Other regulators

Case study: Multi-Agency work tackling waste crime and scrap metal money laundering

International engagement

Case study: waste pneumatic tyres exports

Case study: new nuclear and fusion regulation agreements with the USA and Canada

Serving with care

Waste crime impacts

Case study: operation Nutmeg

Training other regulators

Case study: working with United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

Responding to climate change

Part 3 – Forward Look and challenges

Regulation in 2030: A system in transition

Drivers for Change

Environmental complexity is increasing

The need for national growth and innovation

Limitations of current legislation

Internal transformation through EA2030

What will be different by 2030?

Fewer incidents, higher compliance

Smarter, risk-based regulation

A confident profession

Digital by design

Earned autonomy

Improved early engagement

Integrated oversight

Chief Regulator’s vision for 2030

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