Corporate report

Environment Agency corporate scorecard 2025 to 2026 - quarter 2

Updated 8 January 2026

Applies to England

The corporate scorecard 2025 to 2026 quarter 2 (Q2) starts 1 July 2025 and ends 30 September 2025. The year end is 31 March 2026.

1. Water company compliance inspections

Measure title Units Q2 actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
5,228 4,500 10,000 Green Green    

Commentary

This measure reports on the number of onsite inspections we have completed to assess compliance with water company wastewater discharge permits. Carrying out onsite inspections is an important business priority. It forms part of the wide range of activities we carry out to monitor water company performance and compliance.

Following a strong performance last year, we have continued to prioritise resources to achieve this year’s ambitious target of 10,000 onsite inspections. By the end of quarter 2, we completed 5,228 inspections against a target of 4,500, a performance of 116%.

Based on current performance, we are forecasting green for this measure.

We are continuing to provide our training programme for newly recruited water industry regulation officers. This is to ensure we have the skills and capacity needed to sustain high quality inspection delivery throughout the year.

Water company inspections completed against target

Quarter Actual Target
Q2 2024 to 2025 1,932 686
Q3 2024 to 2025 3,246 1,828
Q4 2024 to 2025 4,626 4,000
Q1 2025 to 2026 2,395 2,000
Q2 2025 to 2026 5,228 4,500

2. Sewage treatment works brought into compliance

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
96% 90% 90% Green Amber

Commentary

This measure reports on the number of water company wastewater treatment works and water treatment works shown to have high risk non-compliances last year. It demonstrates that we are using our full range of regulatory powers to bring these sites into compliance. We are concentrating our regulatory effort on those sites that pose the highest risk to the environment. We are using our full range of interventions to achieve this outcome.

There were 111 sites identified as high risk failing sites last year. Of these sites, 107 (96%) are currently meeting the requirements of this measure. This means the site either:

  • a) has returned to compliance
  • b) has submitted a compliance action plan (CAP) to the Environment Agency that clearly outlines the steps and timelines for achieving compliance
  • c) we have started enforcement action alongside other regulatory work to bring the site back into compliance

Over the year individual sites may change from ‘meeting’ to ‘not meeting’ the measure requirements, for example:

  • if they do not comply with the steps in their action plan within the agreed timescales
  • if they have another serious permit non-compliance during the year, for which there is an increased risk during the wetter winter months

This means the number of compliant sites can go down as well as up and given this variability we are forecasting amber for this measure.

Percentage of sewage treatment works brought back into compliance

Quarter Actual Target
Q1 2025 to 2026 93% 90%
Q2 2025 to 2026 96% 90%

3. Number of farm inspections

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
2,037 1,963 4,000 Green Green

Commentary

This measure tracks the number of inspections undertaken on farms (excluding permitted intensive pig and poultry units). The inspections assess compliance with relevant legislation, mainly focussing on:

  • slurry
  • silage
  • agricultural fuel oil storage
  • farming rules for water
  • nitrate vulnerable zone regulations

Using an advice led approach, our regulatory officers aim to bring farmers into compliance and improve water quality. We concentrate where our interventions can positively impact the environment most effectively, such as:

  • the beef and dairy sectors
  • protected sites

At the end of quarter 2 we have completed 2,037 inspections, exceeding 50% of our yearly 4,000 inspection target for this financial year. We are on track to meet the target at the end of the financial year. Approximately 10% of our inspections are remote using earth observation techniques. This creates efficiencies of scale and enables us to identify land management issues that are not readily apparent on the ground.

Remote technologies also help us identify where to target in person inspections. Agricultural premises were the source of over 70 serious pollution incidents during 2024. Our inspections aim to reduce incidents by early interventions before they occur. Farming Rules for Water concentrates on diffuse water pollution and land management issues improved:

  • slurry storage
  • nutrient planning
  • land management

reduces diffuse pollution. This leads to long term reductions in:

  • nitrate
  • phosphate
  • sediment

contributing towards Environment Improvement Plan targets.

Number of farm inspections

Quarter Actual Target
Q1 2024 to 2025 1,028 977
Q2 2024 to 2025 2,302 1,984
Q3 2024 to 2025 3,394 3,103
Q4 2024 to 2025 4,540 4,000
Q1 2025 to 2026 951 968
Q2 2025 to 2026 2,037 1,963

4. Bathing water monitoring

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
100% 98% 98% Green Not applicable

Commentary

We have successfully carried out the bathing water quality monitoring programme for 2025.

% of bathing water quality monitoring samples collected and analysed

Quarter Actual Target
Q1 2025 to 2026 99% 98%
Q2 2025 to 2026 100% 98%

5. We stop high risk illegal waste sites

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
56 41 90 Green Green

Commentary

The Environment Agency works to protect the environment, people and the legitimate waste industry by enforcing against waste criminals and the deliberate damage they cause.

This metric helps measure the Environment Agency’s action to prevent and stop waste crime. The measure concentrates on illegal waste sites that pose the greatest risk to communities, the environment and legitimate businesses.

We met our target. We have stopped 56 high risk illegal sites this financial year against a target of 41.

This work supports the government’s circular economy goals, and the ambition to eliminate waste crime. The Environment Agency’s crime priorities include:

  • the misdescription of waste
  • responding to illegal dumping
  • closing waste illegal sites
  • preventing the illegal exports
  • responding to producer responsibility fraud and organised crime

Waste crime is underreported, so we must interpret the data cautiously because the true scale of this activity is likely higher. We are not complacent about waste crime, we recognise the need for continued vigilance and the expected increase in crime.

Number of high risk illegal waste sites stopped

Quarter Total Target
Q1 2024 to 2025 28 17
Q2 2024 to 2025 65 41
Q3 2024 to 2025 111 62
Q4 2024 to 2025 143 90
Q1 2025 to 2026 24 17
Q2 2025 to 2026 56 41

6. Planning applications determined in 21 days

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
97% 95% 95% Green Green

Commentary

This performance indicator measures our ability to provide timely response to the planning application consultations we receive from local planning authorities. Specifically, it measures our ability to respond to planning application consultations within 21 days or as otherwise agreed with the local planning authority. An efficient planning system is vital to the government’s growth ambitions and reflects our dedication to support this.

We have met the obligation we made to government to achieve 95% by the end of quarter 2.   In quarter 2, we responded to 2,875 planning applications where the 21 days requirement applied. Of which, 2,849 were replied to within the 21 days period or as otherwise agreed with the local planning authority.

Our target is for 95% of responses to be made within that timeframe and our performance year to date is 97%.

Percentage of planning application consultations

Quarter Actual Target
Q1 2025 to 2026 95% 95%
Q2 2025 to 2026 97% 95%

7. Percentage of permits issued within timescales (category 1 permits)

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
90% 95% 95% Amber Green

Commentary

Category 1 performance remains strong, with permits processed efficiently and turnaround times high. Recent system upgrades and simplified processes are making a real difference, even in the face of temporary disruption from new technology rollouts. Further improvements are expected as new digital tools are introduced and services continue to be modernised.

Percentage of permits issued

Quarter Actual Target
Q1 2025 to 2026 90% 95%
Q2 2025 to 2026 90% 95%

8. Percentage of permits issued within timescales (category 2 permits)

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
70% 70% 70% Green Green

Commentary

Category 2 has achieved a strong level of performance, with faster permit processing and improved turnaround times. New digital tools and more efficient ways of working are achieving results. While some challenges remain as systems are modernised and backlogs are cleared, the outlook is positive and further gains are expected by year end.

Percentage of permits issued

Quarter Actual Target
Q1 2025 to 2026 55% 70%
Q2 2025 to 2026 70% 70%

9. Percentage of permits issued within timescales (category 3 permits)

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
55% 70% 70% Red Green

Commentary

Improvements from backlog reduction and validation processes are starting to take effect, though performance remains below target. Continued attention to staffing and process refinement will be fundamental to achieving better outcomes.

Percentage of permits issued

Quarter Actual Target
Q1 2025 to 2026 56% 70%
Q2 2025 to 2026 55% 70%

10. Percentage of permits issued within timescales (category 4 permits)

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
45% 55% 55% Red Green

Commentary

Quarter 2 saw continued efforts to reduce backlogs and improve processing times, supported by validation and streamlined processes. While performance in complex categories remains below target, further gains are expected and an improved performance is forecast by year end.

Percentage of permits issued

Quarter Actual Target
Q1 2025 to 2026 49% 55%
Q2 2025 to 2026 45% 55%

11. Number of properties better protected from flooding

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
40,593 35,842 52,000 Green Green

Commentary

During quarter 2 of 2025 to 2026, there were 12,711 properties better protected from flooding and coastal erosion by schemes including:

  • Canvey Island Southern Shoreline Revetment Replacement (East Anglia Area): 6,432 properties
  • Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point Beach Management (Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire Area): 2,338 properties
  • Humber to Stallingborough sea defence improvements (Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire Area): 1,506 properties

This brings the cumulative total since 1 April 2024 to 40,593. We are on track to deliver the combined 52,000 target for 2024 to 2026, as set by the Defra Secretary of State.

Properties protected

2025 to 2026 programme cumulative target = 52,000

Number of properties protected

Quarter Total
Q1 2023 to 2024 61,228
Q2 2023 to 2024 67,734
Q3 2023 to 2024 71,563
Q4 2023 to 2024 88,272
Q1 2024 to 2025 91,433
Q2 2024 to 2025 94,055
Q3 2024 to 2025 94,902
Q4 2024 to 2025 115,815
Q1 2025 to 2025 27,882
Q2 2025 to 2026 40,593

12. Innovation actions delivered in flood and coastal resilience to adapt to a changing climate

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
97% 80% 80% Green Green

Commentary

This measure monitors the implementation of innovative adaptation and resilience actions through the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes are overall on track despite a slight decrease in performance from the previous quarter.

The figures are based on project performance as of quarter 1 2025 to 2026. Assessments are based on detailed one to one project feedback and quarterly reporting from all projects.

In the previous quarter there were no projects ‘off track’.

Out of 34 projects, one is currently off track this quarter. This is due to realised risks following a change in the lead delivery team and an assurance review by the Environment Agency programme team. The Environment Agency team is working closely with the project team to keep the project on schedule and aligned with the approved outline business case.

We expect all projects to be back on track by next quarter and at year end. Some residual risks remain for the next financial year, mainly related to landowner and legal agreements, but these are currently well mitigated.

Percentage of actions completed or on track

Quarter % Actual % Target
Q1 2024 to 2025 88% 80%
Q2 2024 to 2025 91% 80%
Q3 2024 to 2025 94% 80%
Q4 2024 to 2025 94% 80%
Q1 2025 to 2026 100% 80%
Q2 2025 to 2026 97% 80%

13. We maintain our flood and coastal risk management assets at or above the target condition

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
92.9 92% 92% Green Green

Commentary

Environment Agency owned and maintained high consequence asset condition for quarter 2 is 92.9%. A slight rise of 0.2% since the end of quarter one.

The period of dry and warm weather has allowed teams to undertake repairs and maintenance on some of the below target condition assets. However prolonged dry weather can cause asset damage, particularly earth embankments as they can dry and crack as soils shrink. We are closely monitoring those assets through our inspection process.

For 2025 to 2026 we have allocated an additional £72 million from the Flood Capital programme to support the asset maintenance and repair. Our target for 2025 to 2026 is to stabilise asset condition at or above 92% and sustain this, which we are currently achieving.

Percentage of our flood and coastal risk management assets at or above the target condition

Quarter % Actual (rounded) % Target
Q1 2023 to 2024 93.8% 94.5%
Q2 2023 to 2024 93.5% 94.5%
Q3 2023 to 2024 93.3% 94.5%
Q4 2023 to 2024 92.6% 94.5%
Q1 2024 to 2025 92.2% 94.5%
Q2 2024 to 2025 92.1% 94.5%
Q3 2024 to 2025 92.2% 94.5%
Q4 2024 to 2025 92.8% 94.5%
Q1 2025 to 2026 92.7% 92%
Q2 2025 to 2026 92.9% 92%

14. Resilience in our capacity to respond to incidents

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
Green Green Green Green Amber

Commentary

This measure demonstrates the Environment Agency’s capability to respond appropriately to flooding and other environmental incidents with sufficient resources in a timely and effective way.

Cells are activated when incidents exceed routine thresholds, and their daily resilience is assessed as:

  • green (fully resourced)
  • amber (critical roles covered)
  • red (insufficient to provide an effective response)

In quarter 2, national performance remained green, with no red or amber daily status reports recorded across operational areas. During this quarter there was a low number of significant incidents that required a scaled response. Where we responded, this was done through selective activation of cells that could be safely staffed. This was done particularly for drought related incidents where an in hours resource was required.

A number of areas operated ConOps (concept of operations) structures for prolonged dry weather, maintaining green status, but placing sustained pressure on a limited pool of responders. ConOps is the framework we use to prepare for, respond to and recover from incidents. It ensures that we operate clear command, control and co-ordination arrangements for all incidents.

Several areas are forecasting amber or red status for quarter 3. This is based on the levels of competency for specific roles within those areas. There’s a reduction in those willing to be on a roster (as part of the voluntary model). This is currently being mitigated at a national level through mutual aid and contractor support. In addition, there has been targeted recruitment and training to support roles, alongside the implementation of learning from recent incidents.

In summary, while quarter 2 performance is stable and green rated, the risk remains for roster resilience.

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
0.16 0.11 <0.11 Amber Amber

Commentary

Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate (LTIFR) is an important Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW) performance indicator. It measures the number of work related incidents resulting in time lost, per 100,000 hours worked over a rolling 12 month period. It provides a standardised way to assess the frequency of serious incidents that effect:

  • employee health
  • productivity
  • operational continuity

The rate captures any work-related incidents (both harm and ill-health) that result in a colleague being off work for more than one day.

It is positive to see a reduction in the LTIFR at the end of quarter 2 to 0.16. This is after tracking at 0.17 each quarter since quarter 2 2024 to 2025. This indicates a decline in the number of LTI’s occurring (which have been tracking steadily between 2 and 4 incidents per month).

The reduction at the end of quarter 2 is a combination of reduced LTI’s this quarter and a result of high numbers of LTI’s from September 2024. This was 6 in the month dropping off the 12 month average. We also had high numbers in November 2024 (7 in the month). So if we continue tracking or reduction of LTI’s numbers over this next quarter, we will see a further reduction in the 12 month LTIFR.

Lost time incident frequency rate per 100,000 hours

Quarter Actual Target
Q1 2025 to 2026 0.17 0.11
Q2 2025 to 2026 0.16 0.11

16. We have a diverse workforce

A) The percentage of our staff who are from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
6.8% 7.6% 7.6% Red Amber

Commentary

We have set an in year target of 7.6% ethnic minority representation. This target, while the same as last year, is informed by an analysis of growth over time and business intelligence on projected recruitment. This process helps to ensure targets set are stretching, realistic and consistent to support meaningful development.

As of 30 September 2025, 6.8% of our workforce (926 individuals) have declared that they are from an ethnic minority background (excluding white minority). This is a 0.3 percentage point increase from quarter 4 2024 to 2025. It reflects a continued positive trend and represents the highest percentage and individual number of ethnic minority staff recorded. However, we still have a 0.8 percentage point gap towards meeting our in year target. The reason for the increase is determined by more consistent recruitment decision making and improvements to our employer brand across the external market. This increased the proportion of new recruits from ethnic minority backgrounds from 11.1% (2023 to 2024) to 15.5% (2025 to 2026).

Over the next quarter we are implementing the following initiatives to support an increase in diversity:

  • by March we will have centralised 80% of the Environment Agency’s recruitment to enable greater consistency and fairness
  • providing recruitment campaigns for career entry programmes including:
    • summer internships
    • industry placements
    • the Environment and Science Graduate Training Scheme
    • entry-level apprenticeships
  • we are increasing our attraction and marketing of these campaigns to recommend these to a diverse audience
  • implementing new targeted career advancement to ensure they stay and develop within the organisation

For future reporting, we are exploring a shift to reporting on the representation rate, rather than just the declared value. This would align our approach with the wider Defra Group and Civil Service reporting practices. This will improve the accuracy, consistency, and comparability of our workforce data, enabling more evidence based decision making.

Black, Asian and minority ethnic background staff as % of all staff

2025 to 2026 target = 7.6%

Quarter Total
Q4 2022 to 2023 5.3 %
Q2 2023 to 2024 5.7%
Q4 2023 to 2024 6.1 %
Q2 2024 to 2025 6.4%
Q4 2024 to 2025 6.5 %
Q2 2025 to 2026 6.8%

B) The percentage of senior staff who are female

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
46.1% 50% 50% Amber Amber

Commentary

We have a target of 50% female representation at executive manager level.

As of 30 September 2025, 46% (59 individuals) of executive managers are female. This marks a slight 2.3% point decrease in representation rate compared to quarter 4 2024 to 2025. For comparison, female executive manager representation rate in core Defra is 51.2% and at 48.2% in the wider Civil Service as of 30 September 2025.

With such a small population, even a change of one or two individuals can have a noticeable effect on the overall percentage, positively or negatively. As a result, the representation rate has fluctuated between 46% and 48% over the past 3 years. It has peaked at 48.54% in quarter 1 2023 to 2024.

As of 30 September 2025, 43% (287) of our grade 7 managers are female. This is a 1% point increase from quarter 4 2024 to 2025. This is the highest percentage and individual number of female grade 7 managers we have seen.

Our priority remains on ensuring that the conditions which support growth are embedded across the employee lifecycle. We also aim to reinforce our inclusive recruitment practices to support diversity at senior levels. We will also ensure we have effective talent development programmes through our Career Entry Strategy (2025 to 2026).

This sustained improvement provides a valuable opportunity to refine our strategic efforts through more nuanced and intersectional analysis. Achieving female to male parity at the executive management level is a significant milestone. However, we must also address underrepresentation across ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic backgrounds. Increasing our intersectional approach will help identify priority areas for targeted interventions. The equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) team will be considering the most effective way to approach this as part on the ongoing EDI strategy refresh work.

In addition, the broader organisational grade profile highlights the importance of understanding our talent development pipeline. Analysing female representation across directorates, specific job roles, and professions will help pinpoint opportunities to achieve more balanced gender representation throughout the organisation.

Percentage of senior staff who are female

2025 to 2026 target = 50%

Quarter Total
Q4 2022 to 2023 48%
Q2 2023 to 2024 47.2%
Q4 2023 to 2024 45.7%
Q2 2024 to 2025 46%
Q4 2024 to 2025 48%
Q2 2025 to 2026 46.1%

17. Net zero carbon by 2030

Q2 Actual Q2 target 2025 to 2026 target Q2 status Year end forecast
109,649 99,457 <198,916 Red Red

Commentary

At quarter 2, reported carbon emissions are 109,649 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) meaning we are 10% over target (99,458). Last quarter we were 15% over the target, so the gap has reduced. Because carbon savings are best considered over the long term, this cannot be considered a trend.

The following details the performance in each category:

Construction category (largely flood risk capital programme build) accounts for 55% of our total emissions. This category is currently 93% of target, making it green this quarter. However, future projections show we are not decarbonising fast enough to meet our mid term 2030 target. Areas of good development include the decarbonisation technology accelerator programme and considering low carbon solutions early in design phase.

Going forward we need to improve our scrutiny of carbon during project approvals at area programme delivery boards. We have reprofiled provision of construction projects, which benefits us now, but will result in emissions in future years which are construction heavy. The net zero for carbon infrastructure programme, an award winner at CO2nstruct Zero, is also pursuing reductions alongside the accelerator programme.

The second largest category are indirect emissions caused by our supply chain (23% of overall emissions). This includes things like operating emissions or products from our suppliers. These make up 23% of overall emissions and are 258% of target making us red. Continuing to embed carbon reduction targets into contracts, as in flood and coastal risk management (FCRM) will help us advance in this area.

The remaining categories make up 22% of our emissions. We are making good headway electrifying our fleet (78% of the fleet is zero emission), and tailpipe emissions are reduced from quarter 2 last year. Lower rainfall has reduced our pumping emissions this quarter. Air and travel emissions continue to increase (up 7% from last year) but are still not as high as pre-covid levels. Finally, we are seeing examples of carbon reduction being de-prioritised across the business. For example, Defra Group Property pausing heat decarbonisation projects. This has led to missed savings of 189 tonnes which equates to around 10% of our buildings’ energy consumption.

Quarterly Carbon dioxide equivalents emissions

Quarter Total (tonnes)
Q1 2023 to 2024 100,031
Q2 2023 to 2024 139,658
Q3 2023 to 2024 171,387
Q4 2023 to 2024 269,339
Q1 2024 to 2025 78,658
Q2 2024 to 2025 126,176
Q3 2024 to 2025 181,434
Q4 2024 to 2025 261,414
Q1 2025 to 2026 57,407
Q2 2025 to 2026 109,649