Fens 2100+
Together, we are transforming our approach to secure a climate-resilient future for the Fens.
Applies to England
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The Fens
The Fens is one of the most distinctive landscapes in the UK.
Thanks to the ambition, targeted investment, and collaboration of previous generations the Fens today is one of the most important regions in the UK.
It:
- is home to more than 600,000 people
- plays a vital role in feeding the nation, producing a third of England’s vegetables and supporting 80,000 food industry jobs
- holds many important transport routes, energy networks and fast growing industries such as agritech and life sciences
- includes internationally protected habitats and supports many rare species
- contributes major natural capital benefits, such as clean water, food productions, recreation and carbon storage in its peat soils
However, as 87% of the Fens landscape is below the mean spring tide level it is extremely vulnerable to flooding from rivers and the sea.
The environment, infrastructure and communities here only function because a complex flood risk and water management asset system keeps the land dry. This system drains a substantially wider area than the Fens itself, moving water from 12% of England through the Fens to the sea. Protecting this infrastructure is essential to sustaining economic stability and future growth in cities such as:
- Lincoln
- Peterborough
- Cambridge
Housing and employment opportunities in the area rely on flood resilience and water security.
The Fens are entering a period of significant and accelerating risk. The existing approach to managing water, flood, and coastal risks is no longer sufficient due to:
- ageing assets
- increasing climate pressures
- growing expectations from communities and industry
The climate is changing, and we are experiencing:
- more frequent periods of heavy rainfall
- more violent storms
- rising sea levels
This is putting pressure on our assets and amplifying flooding risks. As climate related pressures increase, the risk of cascading failures also increases.
The evidence is clear: without timely and coordinated intervention, the resilience of this nationally important region will continue to decline. This will increase long term costs and expose communities, infrastructure, and the wider economy to avoidable risk.
Fens 2100+ was set up to address these issues and develop a long term plan to manage future flood risk in the Fens.
Fens 2100+ Partnership
Recognising that no single organisation can address these challenges alone, the Fens 2100+ Partnership was formed. The partnership provides a platform for:
- collaboration
- planning
- shared action
Built on strong principles and cross sector collaboration, it aims to secure a climate resilient future for the Fens. It will do this by:
- aligning investment
- strengthening system performance
- ensuring the decisions we take today are the right ones
Partnership members include:
- Anglian Northern and Anglian Great Ouse Regional Flood and Coastal Committees
- Anglian Water
- Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA)
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
- Cambridgeshire County Council
- Environment Agency
- internal drainage boards (IDBs)
- Lincolnshire County Council
- National Farmers Union (NFU)
- Natural England
- Norfolk County Council
A plan towards a nation resilient to flooding and coastal change
The Fens 2100+ Partnership have produced a series of reports.
Catchment Baseline Reports
For the first time, we have a collective set of robust evidence and important insights about flood risk and asset performance across the Fens. This equips decision-makers to shape the future of the Fens with confidence and clarity.
The baseline summary report outlines evidence from the 7 Catchment Baseline Reports. It brings together data and insights from risk management authorities (RMAs) on their experience of managing flood risk assets.
The report includes:
- the historical and environmental context
- the function of flood risk assets and their economic impact
- current and future flood risks
- investment challenges and opportunities
You can also read the 7 individual catchment baseline reports and their accompanying appendices:
- East and West Fen
- Great Ouse
- Lower Nene
- Lower Welland
- Lower Witham
- South Forty Foot Drain
- Steeping River
You can also watch our supporting video on YouTube.
Case for Change
The Fens 2100+ Case for Change builds upon the Catchment Baseline Reports. The Case for Change:
- presents an unequivocal call to action to safeguard one of the United Kingdom’s most strategically important regions
- demonstrates that the Fens faces a convergence of pressures that now demands decisive, coordinated and longterm intervention
- sets out a compelling, evidence based rationale for transforming how flood, coastal, and water management infrastructure is planned, funded, and delivered across this critical region
Our Partnership Action Plan offers clear, practical steps that combine near-term risk mitigation with long-term transformation. The Fens 2100+ partnership is focused on delivering this Partnership Action Plan.
You can watch our YouTube video which explains why long term adaptation is needed in the Fens.
Other Fens 2100+ evidence reports
While producing the Catchment Baseline Reports and Case for Change, we also collated and commissioned extensive evidence. You can read much of this evidence on our supporting information page.
Further information
You can find latest news about the Fens 2100+ Programme on the Environment Agency engagement webpage.
Useful links
- National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England - GOV.UK
- UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy - GOV.UK
- The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy 2025 - GOV.UK
- UK Government Resilience Action Plan - GOV.UK
- National Engineering Policy Centre: Reviving ageing infrastructure report
- Fens-Climate-Change-Risk-Assessment-Final-4.pdf