(by Karma Loveday) The Government should prepare for at least 2ºC of warming above pre-industrial levels by 2050.  The Climate Change Committee gave that message to floods and water minister Emma Hardy after she requested guidance on setting objectives for climate adaptation. At 2ºC, the Committee said heatwaves become twice as likely; drought risk doubles; peak river flows may increase by 40%; sea levels may rise by up to an additional 25cm; and the wildfire season will beco

(by Verity Mitchell) Northumbrian Water has issued a £300m bond maturing in July 2032, which was around seven times oversubscribed. The bond pays interest of 5.375%, and was issued at a yield equivalent to 120 basis points over Gilts, comfortably inside the initial indicative price of Gilts +140bps. The timing of the bond issue reflects both clarity and upside from the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) recently-published initial view of its redetermination of Ofwat’s

(by Karma Loveday) Ofwat’s new leaders have pledged to take a different and more collaborative approach to regulation as work to create a new integrated regulator is taken forward. In a blog, Chris Walters, interim chief executive, and Helen Campbell, interim executive director of delivery, explained: "Ofwat did its best under the previous regulatory structure, but we acknowledge that the previous regulatory approach, including Ofwat’s, did not act fast enough to prevent the

(by Karma Loveday) Stars will be swapped for number ratings under a revamp of the Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA) system, that will also see pollution incident numbers appear to increase. This has been justified by Defra and the Environment Agency on the basis of taking a tougher stance on pollution and increasing transparency.  The Agency has published details of previously consulted on (in October to December 2024) changes to the EPA for 2026-30. The current 1 to

(by Karma Loveday) Representatives of the Citizens Arrest Network last week visited the head offices of eight water companies with the...

(by Verity Mitchell) RSK, a holding company which provides environmental and engineering solutions through a large portfolio of companies, has reported full-year results to 6 April 2025. There is strong revenue growth, partly driven by acquisitions but revealing cost challenges to its margins. Revenue was £2.2bn, up 21% over the previous year. Net fee income after external project costs was £1.1bn, up 13%. Staff costs absorbed 76% of net fee income, resulting in group reporte

(by Karma Loveday) Law firm Leigh Day has filed a group claim in the High Court against the pollution of the Rivers Wye, Usk and Lugg....

(by Karma Loveday) The Environment Agency has published a supportive position statement on the use of desalination for public water...

(by Karma Loveday) The moratorium on housebuilding in North Sussex has been lifted following an agreement reached through Defra’s Water...

(by Karma Loveday) The Environment Agency (EA) has declared drought in the parts of Sussex supplied by South East Water, due to declining...