The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published two policy statements regarding the deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers. The scheme will introduce a deposit on single-use drink containers which are refunded when containers are returned, providing a financial incentive to consumers to recycle. The first policy statement has been jointly made by the UK government, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government. It provides an update on the DRSs across the UK. The second policy statement lays out the UK government's position on glass drink containers in the DRS in England and the position with regard to the UK Internal Market Act 2020. Glass bottles will be excluded from the scheme's scope in England, while the Welsh government intends to include them in their scheme.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy update, outlining the government’s plans to introduce Simpler Recycling in England, pending the outcomes of the spending review. The update clarifies the government's stance on the co-collection of recyclable waste streams. The policy aims to streamline recycling processes and improve recycling rates by introducing a new default requirement for households and workplaces to use four containers for: residual waste, food waste, paper and card, and other dry recyclables. Implementation timelines have been set, with business required to comply by 31 March 2025 and local authorities by 31 March 2026, with micro-firms granted an exemption until 31 March 2027. Secondary legislation to implement the policy will be laid in December 2024, subject to parliamentary approval.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its post-legislative assessment of the Fisheries Act 2020 (FA 2020), concluding that the FA 2020 has operated as intended by providing the legal framework for the UK to manage and regulate fisheries as an independent coastal State following EU exit. The assessment concludes that the FA 2020 has met or is contributing to its objectives of establishing a UK-wide fisheries framework, setting eight fisheries objectives, co-ordinating fisheries management through the Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS) and Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs), regulating access to UK waters, and supporting environmentally sustainable, socially and economically beneficial fisheries. It also reviews implementation of the FA 2020, including publication of the JFS, progress on FMPs, use of powers relating to fishing opportunities, financial assistance and licensing, relevant legal challenges, and stakeholder feedback, and states that the FA 2020 provides sufficient flexibility to deliver its objectives while recognising wider pressures affecting fisheries management.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published preview guidance for the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme, outlining preparatory steps for potential applicants and providing information on available funding. This document serves as a precursor to the full CSHT scheme guidance, which is expected to be published before applications open in summer 2025. Defra has also published draft terms and conditions for the scheme, along with details on CSHT actions and new capital items. Additionally, a new form for applicants applying for the CSHT supplement CSP9: Support for threatened species, has been published, with Defra noting that applicants must complete this form in collaboration with their Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy paper outlining principles for identifying and selecting compensatory marine protected areas (MPAs) to provide strategic compensation for the likely environmental effects of certain offshore wind developments on seabed habitats. The principles apply to Secretary of State waters, including offshore areas around Northern Ireland—though no compensatory MPAs will be proposed there. The designation process will follow six stages: data collation, options development, advice drafting, public consultation, ministerial designation and site management. The process will also be guided by ecological, policy, social and economic factors, with decisions informed by evidence and stakeholder engagement. Designation options include extending the boundaries of existing MPAs, adding new features within existing sites or designating new MPAs.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has released its latest progress report detailing government departments' performance against the Greening Government Commitments (GGCs) Framework for the period April 2021 to March 2024. The report evaluates departments' progress across multiple environmental commitments, including greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, water consumption, sustainable procurement, nature recovery and climate change adaptation measures. This forms part of the UK government's ongoing initiative to enhance the environmental performance of its estate and operations under the 2021-2025 framework period.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a report on Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), produced under contract by Jacobs UK Ltd for the Environment Agency between 2019 and 2024. This report was published in response to a request for information under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, SI 2004/3391. It details the extent of the PFAS contamination problem across England, presenting the methodology and findings from developing a model for estimating the costs of remediating high-risk contaminated sites, and highlights the financial scale of managing these contaminated sites.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a request for information on two substances proposed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This information will contribute to a draft Risk Profile and draft Risk Management Evaluation for two chemical substances proposed as POPs to the UN’s Stockholm Convention’s POP Review Committee (POPRC), namely polyhalogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PXDD/Fs) and chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14-17. It will also assist in determining the need for specific exemptions and acceptable purposes for continued use. Responses must be submitted by 29 November 2024.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published research from two completed projects focused on reservoir safety requirements in England and Wales.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the UK government’s response to the Climate Change Committee’s 2025 Progress Report on climate adaptation, detailing actions taken across sectors to address the Committee’s 59 recommendations. The report outlines progress made in enhancing resilience to climate risks, including investment in nature recovery, flood defences, and sustainable farming; reforms in water regulation and infrastructure planning; integration of climate resilience into energy, transport, and telecommunications systems; and strengthened health, business, and financial sector preparedness. It also affirms the UK’s international commitments under the Paris Agreement and sets out plans for improved monitoring, evaluation, and future adaptation objectives to be included in the fourth National Adaptation Programme, due in 2028.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its response to the Office for Environmental Protection's (OEP) report, ‘Progress in improving the natural environment in England 2024 to 2025’, setting out its response to all 54 recommendations on implementation of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). Defra accepts or partially accepts most recommendations, considers several to have been completed, and defers or rejects others where further work is required, existing policies already address the issues, or the recommendations fall outside the OEP's remit. It also notes that the OEP's assessment covers the period before publication of the revised EIP in December 2025, which it states provides a clearer framework for delivering environmental improvements. Defra further outlines ongoing and planned action across a range of policy areas, including nature-friendly farming, protected sites, the marine environment, the circular economy, private investment in nature recovery, environmental regulation, air and water quality, waste, chemicals, flood resilience, invasive species, green infrastructure and sustainable farming. It adds that it will continue working with the OEP, report progress through future EIP Annual Progress Reports where appropriate and monitor implementation of the revised EIP and its associated delivery plans.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a policy paper responding to the Office for Environmental Protection’s (OEP’s) January 2025 progress report titled ‘Progress in improving the natural environment in England 2023 to 2024’. The OEP report assessed government progress against Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) goals under the Environment Act 2021 (EA 2021).