20 Dec 2023

The National Audit Office has published a new report looking at how well-prepared the country is for future extreme weather events. The report sets out how central government coordinates, leads, supports and assures local activity, but does not cover local responses, such as local response plans. It also does not cover arrangements in the devolved […]

20 Dec 2023

The government has said that a pilot project to replace gas with hydrogen in home heating in the village of Redcar in Yorkshire, will not go ahead as there is not enough adequate low carbon hydrogen available. The “hydrogen village” scheme had been expected to start in 2025, but the decision followed months of protests […]

20 Dec 2023

Defra and the Environment Agency have published new guidance on when to use hydrological and hydraulic modelling as part of a flood risk assessment for a planning application, and the expected standards. It includes modelling standards, information needs, methodologies, climate change allowances, impact on off-site flood risk, quality assurance, uncertainty, reporting and more.

20 Dec 2023

’30by30′ is a commitment in the Global Biodiversity Framework agreed at the COP15 biodiversity summit last December, whereby “30% of areas of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and marine and coastal ecosystems are under effective restoration.” Defra has outlined its approach to how the target on land in England will be met. This includes a set […]

20 Dec 2023

A new independent expert report, developed with nature-based solutions Task Force 6, presents insights into the co-creation and co-governance of nature-based solutions across Europe. The report contains practical guidelines for researchers, practitioners and other experts who are researching, implementing or evaluating nature-based solutions.

19 Dec 2023

The first five Fisheries Management Plans have been published. The plans set out how the UK government aims to work with the fishing industry and other stakeholders to support the long-term future and sustainable management of the UK’s fish stocks. DEFRA states that these plans will help deliver the long-term economic viability of the UK’s […]

19 Dec 2023

The United Kingdom deposited their instruments of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 13 December, advancing the tally of formal acceptances to the halfway mark required for entry into force. Andrew Mitchell, Minister of State (Development and Africa) of the UK presented the instruments of acceptance to the World Trade Organisation Director-General Ngozi […]

19 Dec 2023

Ireland’s ocean economy grew its turnover by 17 per cent last year, while the number of jobs in the sector rose by 19 per cent, according to a report by the Marine Institute. The 2023 Ocean Economy Report provides an update on Ireland’s ocean economy for 2022 across three main economic indicators: turnover, gross value […]