The Environment Agency (EA) has published updated guidance on complying with Phase 4 of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), setting out the qualification, compliance and notification requirements for the fourth compliance period. The guidance explains which organisations are required to participate, how qualifying organisations must complete ESOS assessments and notify compliance, the applicable compliance deadlines and enforcement arrangements, and reflects changes introduced by the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme Regulations 2014, SI 2014/1643, as amended in 2026. It also confirms that Display Energy Certificates (DECs) and Green Deal Assessments (GDAs) are no longer recognised as compliance routes because they do not provide the tailored recommendations delivered through ESOS energy audits.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published an updated technical guideline for water companies and New Appointments and Variations (NAVs) companies to follow when preparing statutory drought plans, replacing the 2020 version. The guideline, developed in collaboration with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, applies to companies operating wholly or mainly in England, and it also covers requirements for water retailers.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published version 2.0 of its coastal modelling standards for the flood risk management industry. The standards set out techniques for non-real-time coastal modelling and provide best practice guidance on the development and review of non-real-time open coast flood models using the source-pathway-receptor model. The standards aim to maintain consistency across the flood risk management industry and support evidence-based coastal risk management decisions. They apply to England and do not cover real-time open coast flood modelling.

The Environment Agency (EA) has reported that, alongside police and partners, it has completed a year-long enforcement action against illegal waste operators in East Anglia, conducting 14 roadside checks in 2025 and stopping 172 vehicles carrying waste. Twenty-six drivers or companies were found operating without the required waste carrier’s licence, with one licence revoked for unsuitability, and advice provided to 37 drivers and companies on transporting waste correctly. Householders and businesses are advised to request a waste carrier’s registration number and waste transfer note before handing over rubbish and avoid paying cash for collections to prevent fly-tipping and protect local environments.

The Environment Agency (EA) has reported that it has obtained a six-month extension for restriction orders in place at illegal waste sites in Hoads Wood and Eastchurch in Kent. The restriction orders prohibit anyone from entering the land without reasonable excuse or written permission from the EA. Anyone found breaching the orders, tampering with the lock or notice will have committed a criminal offence.

The Environment Agency (EA) has reported that joint enforcement action in by the EA, Joint Unit for Waste Crime and Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit resulted in the arrest of four people for waste offences, fraud and money laundering. The arrests follow ongoing investigations by the EA and Joint Unit for Waste Crime into fraud, money laundering and offences under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007, SI 2007/871.

The Environment Agency (EA) has reported that it has, alongside officers from the Joint Unit for Waste Crime and partners from the police and HM Revenue and Customs, carried out an operation targeting landfill sites and lorries and waster carriers in County Durham and Lancashire. The proactive operation was aimed at ensuring drivers were carrying what they said they were and the waste was appropriate for landfill. The landfill sites were also inspected to ensure compliance with their permits. EA has said that a number of investigations will be taken forward by relevant authorities.

The Environment Agency (EA) has reported its efforts alongside its partners, Sussex Police Rural Crime Team, West Sussex local authority and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, to stop illegal waste carriers in Sussex. The teams carried out 29 road stops on vehicles carrying waste and found 27 offences had been committed including missing MOTs, improper driving licences, incorrect number plates and three vehicles not having waste carrier licences.

The Environment Agency (EA) has reported on the prosecution of South West Water (SWW) for illegal water discharge activities and environmental permit breaches. SWW is currently facing 30 charges related to waste water treatment works, sewage pumping stations and the sewer network at sites across Cornwall and Plymouth. EA submitted over 200,000 pages of supporting evidence relating to offences carried out over a six year period. The case has been adjourned to 3 July 2024.

The Chief Executive of the Environment Agency (EA), Philip Duffy, has published a response to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer's letter dated 24 December 2024, concerning a call for a new approach for regulators and regulations aimed at supporting economic growth. The response details the EA’s plans to contribute to this reform through several initiatives. These include improving land use planning services, with a target to respond to 95% of planning applications within 21 days starting September 2025, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of permitting services for key growth sectors, such as water, net zero, and waste, developing a more transparent regulatory data system, and supporting the government’s strategic spatial planning approach. The response also identifies three key areas where government support is required to help the EA facilitate sustainable growth: increased legislative flexibility, updating outdated IT systems, and enabling cost recovery for EA activities.

The Environment Agency (EA) has updated 'Annex 2: Climate change schemes—the Environment Agency's approach to applying civil penalties' section F to provide greater clarity on its discretionary approach to penalties under Climate Change Agreements (CCAs). The update also sets out the procedure followed when required reports on energy efficiency improvements or emissions reductions are not submitted.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued revocation notices to EWS NW Ltd (EWS) and BJL Waste Management Ltd (BJL) following repeated breaches of environmental permit conditions. Under the notices, both operators are required to cease all permitted activities and remove waste from their sites. BJL’s notice takes effect on 21 July 2026, with waste removal to be completed by 18 August 2026, while EWS’s notice comes into force on 3 August 2026, with removal deadline of 1 September 2026.