UK environmental law

UK environmental law—content

Content on UK environmental law in this subtopic includes the following Practice Notes:

An introduction to UK environmental law

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Environmental law—new starter guide—provides an introductory guide to environmental law. It is aimed at trainee solicitors and others new to environment as a practice area and provides information on topical matters including legislation on transboundary issues such as climate change and related net zero regulation in the UK. It also covers the key principles of environmental law as well as sources of environmental regulation from international treaties and protocols, to primary, secondary and tertiary sources of EU law (including information on the supremacy of EU law and Brexit) and legislation passed by the UK government and devolved administrations. It discusses key areas of environmental regulation such as environmental permitting, contaminated land, environmental damage, water pollution, air pollution, waste, hazardous substances and sustainability. It also provides introductory information on liabilities for environmental offences including liability for clean ups, and criminal offences. This Practice Note also gives an overview of environmental regulators in the UK and their powers, and on regulatory actions initiated by individuals and civil actions

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Latest Environment News

Defra commits to a 50% reduction in sewage pollution by 2030

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced plans to halve sewage pollution from water companies by 2030, supported by a £104bn infrastructure investment programme to upgrade sewerage systems and build new treatment facilities. This package of measures sets specific targets, including a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by the end of December 2029, measured against a 2024 baseline average of 32 spills per overflow, and a 50% reduction in phosphorus levels in treated wastewater by the end of January 2028.

Independent Water Commission publishes final report on water sector regulatory reform

The Independent Water Commission (IWC) has published its final report setting out 88 recommendations to reform the regulatory framework of the water sector in England and Wales, alongside a summary of over 50,000 responses to its February 2025 call for evidence. Building on preliminary conclusions released in June 2025, the report outlines recommendations across seven key themes: (1) strategic direction and planning; (2) legislative framework; (3) regulator reform; (4) regulation reform; (5) company structures, ownership, governance and management; (6) infrastructure and asset health; and (7) implementation. The report has been submitted to the UK and Welsh governments, which will respond and consult on the proposals, including potential legislation. The government also confirmed plans to fast track five of these recommendations, including the establishment of a new single water regulator to replace Ofwat. In autumn 2025, it will publish a White Paper outlining its full response to the IWC's final report, alongside an associated consultation. Following this, a new Water Reform Bill will be introduced early in the current parliamentary term.

Commission proposes sixth revision of CMRD with new chemical exposure limits

The European Commission has proposed the sixth revision of Directive 2004/37/EC (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic substances Directive (CMRD)), introducing new exposure limits for cobalt compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and 1,4-dioxane. The revision adds welding fumes under the CMRD's scope and introduces "notations" requiring additional protective measures. The proposal includes transitional periods of up to six years for certain industries to adapt to the new limits. Following discussions in the European Parliament and Council, Member States will have two years to incorporate the Directive into national law once adopted.

EA publishes annual pollution incident report for 2016– 2024

The Environment Agency (EA) has published its annual pollution incident report for 2016 to 2024, along with supporting data annexes. It presents data and analysis of sector and company-specific pollution incident performance across the nine water and sewerage companies operating in England. The report sets out the persistently poor pollution incident performance of the sector. It notes that, at a time of growing public interest in the health of rivers, lakes and seas, the water industry must do more to prevent pollution and respond rapidly when it occurs. The EA’s expectations for 2020 to 2025, set out in the Water Industry Strategic Environmental Requirements (WISER), include a trend to zero serious pollution incidents, a reduction in all pollution incidents and high levels of self-reporting. The report shows that serious pollution incidents (categories 1 and 2) increased by 60% in 2024, from 47 in 2023 to 75—the highest number recorded during the reporting period. All pollution incidents (categories 1 to 3) rose by 29% to 2,801 in 2024, a 47% increase compared to 2016.