Creating a better place

From 28 April 2026, permitted operators receiving waste onto their site are encouraged to start using the new digital service to record receipt of waste. This marks the start of a phased transition for everyone involved in the handling of waste to record waste movements digitally.

Thirty years ago, the Environment Agency first opened its doors. It had a clear dual purpose: to protect the environment and support sustainable development. Back then, climate change was a distant warning rather than the pressing reality it is today. Public expectations on pollution were quieter. Technological progress and our ability to leverage data was slower. Our understanding of environment…

When you think about net zero, what comes to mind? Sunlight reflecting off solar panels? Turbines spinning in strong coastal winds? We’re used to looking up and out to imagine a low-carbon future. But one of the most powerful tools for reaching net zero isn’t in the sky or the sea – it’s beneath our feet. The subsurface is vast, secure, and uniquely suited to underpin the technologies that will d…

When I stepped into my new role with the Environment Agency’s Water Industry Regulation team, covering Kidderminster and Tewkesbury, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Six months on, I can confidently say that this has been one of the most rewarding and eye-opening periods of my career so far.

The modern way to find many of the services, trades and products we need to buy is to look online. It’s quick, easy and you can do it from the comfort of your own home. But it is a minefield …

As regulators of the nuclear industry, the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) are working together to make sure that any new nuclear power stations built in the UK meet high standards of safety, security, environmental protection and waste management.

Protecting the environment in an interconnected world means looking beyond our own borders. Air pollution, climate change, emerging chemicals, radioactive substances and waste crime all present challenges that require shared expertise and harmonised regulatory action across countries. That's why the Environment Agency plays an active and increasing international role - sharing knowledge, learning…

Flooding is one of the most devastating experiences a community can face. The loss of a home, a business, or simply the sense of safety and security in the place you live leaves a mark that lasts long after the water has receded.

When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them that I help the Environment Agency fight waste crime. I work in a team of waste crime engagement specialists covering the whole of England and our role …

Tucked away in the beautiful Breamish Valley, south of Wooler in Northumberland, one of the UK's most ambitious river restoration projects has recently reached completion - and the results are already remarkable. The River Breamish at Harehope Estate is flowing …

We’re delighted to announce the launch of a new digital tool that lets you report on the health of your local rivers, lakes and beaches in real-time, directly from your phone.  BluePrint, developed by the Environment Agency in partnership with Hello Lamp Post, builds on the success of WaterWatch - a year-long pilot that gathered public observations at five bathing water sites. Now, the concept is…

The Environment Agency announced it has assembled its largest ever workforce for tackling water pollution - expanding it by almost fivefold from 41 roles in 2023 to 184 in 2026, with a further increase planned in 2027.

At the Environment Agency, nature is key to what we do. It’s our job to protect and enhance the environment, enabling nature’s recovery whilst contributing to sustainable growth, with an ambition for climate resilience and healthy air, land and water. We can't do this alone - partnership is at the heart of how we work.

Windermere: working together for cleaner water When water companies were privatised in 1989, the government created a regulatory system to protect customers, as each company became the only water supplier in its region. Ofwat was created – to regulate what companies can charge and ensure fair investment. The Environment Agency and Natural England focus on people, communities and the environment, …

From seaside towns to quiet rural stretches, England’s coastline is one of the country’s most valued assets. It is home to thriving communities, beautiful landscapes and vital infrastructure that we all rely on. But the coast is also one of the places where the impacts of climate change are being felt most clearly. Coastlines naturally change over time, but rising sea levels and more frequent sto…

By Andy Brown, Water Regulation Manager North West As we head into the festive season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what's been an incredibly busy year for us at the Environment Agency, working alongside our partners to protect Windermere. It's easy to think of this stunning lake as just a beautiful Christmas card view – and it certainly is that – but there's so much more happening ben…

By Dr Robert Bradburne, Environment Agency Chief Scientist Friday 12 December marked a significant moment for all of us who care about England’s rivers and streams. Today, we’re releasing our first set of analysis-ready water data under Defra’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme and I’m immensely proud of the work of hundreds of committed Environment Agency Staff that has g…

We’ve just announced that GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy is the first company in the world to successfully complete our two step generic design assessment (GDA) process. Its BWRX-300 reactor design, a 300 megaWatt electrical (MWe) boiling water reactor, has been issued with a Step 2 statement. What does this mean and what have we said about this reactor design. Our lead nuclear assessor for th…

On the week of 3 November a vast number of small black plastic pellets started to wash up on the beach at Camber Sands in East Sussex. It immediately, and naturally, drew considerable concern from the public and local community. We quickly started an investigation to understand where this plastic pollution came from, what it was, and who caused it. A lot of progress has been made and the pellets …

In our previous blog, we looked back at the Buncefield incident, our role in the response, and how it shaped the way we regulate high-risk sites. For this second piece, we want to share first-hand experiences from some of our colleagues who were directly involved. Their memories highlight the scale of the incident and how it continues to influence our work today. Colin Chiverton, Area Environment…