The Office for Environmental Protection

We have welcomed DAERA's draft Nature Recovery Strategy but have called for a greater focus on action. We have made eight recommendations to strengthen the draft strategy. Read more here 👉bit.ly/40SLFdM

We have responded to government’s consultation on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. We welcome moves to improve coherence with wider policies and make a number of suggestions for further improvements 👉bit.ly/4by741G

Defra's response to our report on the implementation of laws relating to protected sites for nature will not deliver the urgent step-change needed to meet environmental targets and commitments - read our statement here bit.ly/4bgpTGF

We've welcomed government’s revised Green Book, that now includes the Environmental Principles Policy Statement (EPPS), as recommended by our report last year. Our CEO Natalie Prosser calls it a positive step to help embed the EPPS across government. 👉bit.ly/3MsU3wL

Today we welcomed our current Board member Julie Hill MBE as our interim Chair until a permanent appointment is confirmed. Julie said: “It is a great honour to step up to act as interim Chair. Dame Glenys will leave big shoes to fill..." Read more 👉bit.ly/4q6W0g5

Our Chair Dame Glenys Stacey, CEO Natalie Prosser and Head of Assessments Professor Cathy Maguire are currently giving evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee. Watch live 🎥parliamentlive.tv/event/index/f3…

📢 Join us now for our oral evidence session with the Office for Environment Protection (OEP) @OfficeforEP We are hearing from the Chair, Dame Glenys Stacey; the CEO, Natalie Prosser; and Chief Scientist, Prof Robbie McDonald. 🔗📽️ Watch live here parliamentlive.tv/event/index/48…

Is the UK making enough progress on climate and nature goals? Tomorrow at 2.30pm we're hearing evidence from the @OfficeforEP, their latest report shows the government's progress has slowed, urgent action is needed to meet legal obligations. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/event/26305/fo…

Today we published our response to DAERA's first Environmental Improvement Plan Annual Progress Report. We welcome its transparency & its contribution to scrutiny & accountability. It's also candid about the challenges that lie ahead. Full response 👉bit.ly/3ZznXlT

It's #CleanAirNight. In our progress report, published last week, we assess how government is doing against its clean air goals and targets in its Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) and other commitments. Find our clean air findings in chapter 3 👉bit.ly/4jGn9oE

Government has published its White Paper on water reform.Our table shows government's progress against its Clean & Plentiful Water goal in its Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP).Government is currently off track to meet its water targets & commitments. 👉bit.ly/4jGn9oE

We welcome the plan to publish proposals for consultation in the coming months and will assess this further as the Circular Economy Strategy develops. Read more in chapter 6 of our report 👉bit.ly/4jGn9oE

Government has accepted our recommendation (that was also made last year) and stated that it is committed to transitioning to a circular economy. We consider that progress during the reporting period has been mixed.

Our Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) annual progress report assessed that government is currently off track to meet its legally blinding environmental targets & commitments. One of key recommendations is to develop a circular economy framework. Here is what we say about it 👇

We'll assess further after analysing the EIP25 as government says it will set out approach for improving the natural environment-needed to grow the economy, develop housing, boost food security & meet environment & climate targets. Read more in chapter 13👉bit.ly/4sDM28z

As environmental pressures continue to grow, government has accepted and deferred a response to this recommendation (that we also made last year.) We consider that progress during the reporting period has been mixed.

Our EIP annual progress report assessed that government is currently off track to meet its legally blinding environmental targets & commitments. One of key recommendations is to set out clear mechanisms for reconciling competing demands for use of land and sea. Read more here👇

Progress across wider actions & policies essential to nature's recovery remain slow, especially in the marine environment. Government has highlighted actions that have been taken, but we assessed progress as having been limited. Read more in chapter 2 👉bit.ly/4sDM28z

Our Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) annual progress report assessed that government is currently off track to meet its legally blinding environmental targets & commitments. One of key recommendations is to speed up action in the marine environment. Find out more 👇

We consider that progress during the annual reporting period has been limited. Read more in chapter 2 of our report👉bit.ly/4sDM28z

Protected wildlife sites make an important contribution towards achieving national and international commitments as well as providing wider benefits.

Our Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) annual progress report assessed that government is currently off track to meet its legally blinding environmental targets & commitments. One of key recommendations is to maximise the contribution of protected sites for nature. Read more👇