The Environment Agency (EA) has published a position statement outlining its approach to nature-based solutions (NbS) to support flood risk management, climate adaptation and nature recovery. The statement provides guidance on developing new NbS initiatives and includes case studies demonstrating practical applications. It also confirms the EA’s commitment to embedding NbS across its regulatory, operational and advisory functions, as well as enabling greater NbS uptake through delivery, funding, guidance and partnership working.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published two policy papers outlining its formal positions on desalination and water recycling as strategic options for public water supply in England. These documents were prepared to guide water companies, regulators, and environmental stakeholders in planning resilient water infrastructure.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published a project report, examining and reviewing the pathogens that humans may be exposed to through water, land and air, in the present and future. The report also comprises a preliminary assessment of the relative likelihood of infection and potential impact of these pathogens.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published a project report on the processes required and steps to consider if you are evaluating the options to discontinue, abandon, or repurpose UK reservoirs. It also covers information on legislation, planning processes, construction, stakeholder engagement, and long-term management of the asset, among other topics.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published a report setting out effects-based thresholds for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are frequently detected in English waters: (1) perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS); (2) perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA); (3) perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS); and (4) perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). In the absence of Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs) for other PFAS, the EA states that thresholds are needed to assess and manage environmental risks from PFAS in rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published its 2023 report on the environmental performance of nine water and sewerage companies in England. The report indicated that the companies' star ratings improved under the Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA), but the majority continue to underperform. It indicated that five water companies were rated two stars, requiring improvement, one was rated three stars, and three achieved four stars.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published a report on the potential environmental impacts of net zero technologies and how the EA can regulate such impacts. The summaries aim to provide an overview of the impacts, rather than specific detail, for those new to the subject. These summaries were produced in 2023.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published research identifying modifications to the EU System for Evaluation of Substances (EUSES) model to make it more specific to Great Britain under UK REACH regulations. EA examined EUSES default assumptions for factors such as sewage treatment plant operation, river dilution, soil composition, rainfall, windspeed and population distribution, and compared these with current GB data. It then evaluated how substituting GB-specific values would affect predicted environmental concentrations through sensitivity analysis.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published three resource frameworks, providing guidance on how to meet ‘end of waste’ status for: (1) compost produced from source-segregated biodegradable waste; (2) digestate from the anaerobic digestion of source-segregated biodegradable waste; and (3) biomethane from organic wastes at landfill sites or anaerobic digestion plants. The frameworks are intended to help operators determine when these products no longer require waste management controls and be confident they meet specified quality standards and are suitable for use in appropriate markets. The EA plans to review the compost and digestate frameworks in summer 2026, and the biomethane framework in 2028.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published its summary of responses to the significant water management issues consultation, the second of three statutory consultations informing the update of river basin management plans for England. The response document summarises the submissions received and explains how the EA plans to use this information to shape the next river basin management plans and guide actions for protecting and improving England’s water environment. This includes assessing how existing water management approaches in England may need to be modified in response to a changing climate. Draft river basin management plans are scheduled for a six-month statutory consultation from December 2026, with final plans due in December 2027 following approval by the Secretary of State.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published the response to its January 2025 consultation on developing Environmental Assessment Levels (EALs) for the amine-based carbon capture process. Following stakeholder feedback, the EA will proceed with publishing six of the seven proposed EALs. The EAL for aminomethylpropan-1-ol (AMP) remains under review and is currently excluded from the updated EALs. The new EAL values will be published on GOV.UK.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published the response to its November 2025 consultation on proposed new charges linked to decarbonisation readiness (DR) requirements for certain electricity-generating combustion plants, confirming that the charges will be introduced from 28 February 2026. The consultation sought views on amendments to the EA’s charging scheme to reflect its expanded regulatory functions under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, SI 2016/1154 in respect of DR obligations. The proposals included new application charges for assessing DR reports submitted with environmental permit applications for in-scope new or substantially refurbished combustion power plants, alongside a time and materials charge for ongoing compliance assessment. Respondents raised concerns about the proportionality of the proposed charges, their potential financial impact on operators, how they would operate across different permit types and within existing permitting structures, and whether service standards would correspond with the increased cost burden. The EA confirms that it will proceed with the proposed charging structure, explaining that it is required to recover the full costs of the regulatory services it provides and that the combination of fixed application charges and time and materials compliance charging is considered appropriate and proportionate. It adds that the charges will be kept under review to ensure they remain cost reflective, including through the application of an annual Consumer Prices Index-linked adjustment from April 2027.