The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its response to the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) study which included nine recommendations to the government, aiding to mitigate the risk of surface water flooding. In its response, the government has accepted four recommendations and partially accepted five recommendations. The response also highlights the actions to bolster and further develop the implementation of the current policy to mitigate surface water flooding.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the findings of its Air Quality Information System (AQIS) review, which outlines several recommendations to improve public access to information about the health risks associated with poor air quality. The review highlights the need for clearer communication on why air pollution is hazardous and who is most at risk. It also calls for improved education for medical professionals, a public awareness campaign, and increased engagement with community groups and schools to integrate air quality discussions in everyday conservations. Defra has already begun implementing some of the recommendations, such as collaborating with the Royal Medical Colleges and the Department of Health and Social Care to enhance air quality education for medical professionals, launching a new air quality alert system, and improving air quality websites. The review was commissioned by Defra and the UK Health Security Agency following the death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah from an asthma attack in 2013, where an inquest found air pollution to be a contributing factor.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published England's first country-level assessment under regulation 9A of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, SI 2017/1012 (as amended) covering conservation measures for habitats and species from 2019–24. Produced with Natural England acting on Defra’s behalf, the report fulfils the statutory six-year reporting requirement and evaluates how measures implemented on land and in the marine environment out to 12 nautical miles have supported the conservation and recovery of habitats, species and wild birds of European importance. It also assesses the impacts of these measures, the main pressures affecting biodiversity, and the monitoring and research undertaken during the reporting period.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its first annual report on income generated from biodiversity net gain (BNG) statutory credits, covering the period from 12 February 2024 to 11 February 2025. The report indicates that a total of £247,416 was received in statutory credit payments following the implementation of mandatory BNG for developments under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990). This report fulfils the Secretary of State's duty under section 101(8) of the Environment Act 2021 (EA 2021).

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its first progress report on the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework (PLTOF), covering the period from 2023–25. The report evaluates progress on ten environmental targets set in January 2024 for National Parks and National Landscapes, including goals to restore or create over 250,000 hectares of wildlife habitats by 2042, bring 80% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) into favourable condition by 2042 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.  Initial data indicates progress in several areas. The proportion of SSSI features in favourable condition across Protected Landscapes increased from 39% in 2024 to 40% in 2025, alongside increases in woodland cover. The report also notes that data collection methods for some targets remain in development.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its first international environmental protection report, covering developments from April 2022 to March 2024. The report, required under Section 21 of the Environment Act 2021, details significant international environmental and climate developments. Prepared in collaboration with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the report examines international environmental protection legislation that could inform UK policy development. This marks the first of the biennial reports required by the Environment Act 2021.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a bilateral agreement setting out conditions of an exchange of fishing quotas held between the UK and the Faroe Islands for 2024. The UK fishing industry will benefit from access to over 2,200 tonnes of fishing opportunities, including 920 tonnes of cod and haddock, 600 tonnes of saithe, as well as Redfish, blue ling and ling, flatfish and other species. The UK negotiates annually with the Faroese government, highlighting both parties’ commitment to managing fisheries sustainably and supporting the long-term viability of stocks.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the fourth round of climate adaptation reports submitted by organisations within the food, agriculture, and health sectors in England. These reports, invited by Defra under the adaptation reporting power of the Climate Change Act 2008 (CCA 2008), detail the measures being taken to address current and future climate impacts.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the fourth round of climate change adaptation reports submitted by local authorities, financial regulators, port operators, and organisations across several sectors in England, including environment, energy, aviation, water, marine, heritage, information and communication technology, and road and rail. These reports, invited by Defra under the adaptation reporting power of the Climate Change Act 2008 (CCA 2008), detail the measures being taken to address current and future climate impacts.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) have published a framework document setting out the governance, accountability and operational arrangements for the OEP. The document confirms that the OEP is an independent non-departmental public body established under the Environment Act 2021 to protect and improve the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account. It outlines the OEP’s statutory functions, including monitoring environmental improvement plans and targets, overseeing the implementation of environmental law, providing advice on environmental matters, investigating suspected serious breaches of environmental law and taking enforcement action where necessary. The framework emphasises that the OEP must be able to carry out these functions independently and free from ministerial interference. In support of these objectives, the OEP approved and published its Governance Framework, which sets out how its Board governs the organisation and discharges its statutory responsibilities through defined roles, responsibilities, procedures and standards designed to ensure effective governance, accountability, transparency, operational independence and proper stewardship of public funds.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a framework for National Parks and National Landscapes, collectively known as ‘Protected Landscapes’. The framework identifies key goals from the Environment Improvement Plan 2023 (EIP) and states how progression of these targets are tracked. The framework is aimed at Protected Landscape bodies, relevant authorities, farmers and land managers. It encourages collaboration in strategic planning and effective delivery, with the overall aim of preserving and protecting some of England’s most precious nature sites.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published full details of the expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which will be available to farmers from July 2024. The expanded SFI will be available to new entrants and will comprise 102 actions, including over 20 new options to support more sustainable food production. In addition, over 50 simplified actions from the Countryside Stewardship (CS) Mid Tier will be merged into SFI in order to streamline the application process for farmers. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the application window for CS Higher Tier, which gives grants to support farmers to protect, restore or enhance the environment, will open in winter 2024, with agreements beginning in January 2025.