Defra sets out its aims for a revised Environmental Improvement Plan

Environment secretary Steve Reed has confirmed the “rapid review” of the former Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) has been completed.

In an interim statement ahead of issuing a revised EIP later this year, Reed shared that the review has revealed some key areas where improvements could be made, including:

• Opportunities to co-ordinate evidence with others to better understand where action is needed or can be better targeted/focused.

• Clarifying delivery and accountability in the plan so it is easier to see what and who is contributing to a goal or target.

• A clear process for prioritisation, which could help with assessing competing demands.

• Stronger engagement and collaboration with stakeholders.

• Simplified, sustained funding, and tackling skills and capacity issues. 

Reed continued to say that in revising the plan, the Government aims to:

• “Be clear on the role of cross-cutting enablers for environmental delivery across government and wider society, and how actions interface as part of a system to improve the natural environment.

• Highlight how protecting and enhancing our natural capital is not just for its own sake but supports wider societal outcomes including the Government’s missions for clean energy and growth.

• Clarify Environment Act target delivery plans and update their corresponding interim targets to cover the five-year period from completion of the review, in line with statutory requirements.

• Clarify how the EIP will be delivered, including the role of government departments and bodies, environmental NGOs, businesses, farmers, landowners/managers, local government and the public.

• Streamline and prioritise non-statutory commitments to make sure that the EIP focuses on key actions that result in meaningful delivery towards environmental improvement, contributing to statutory targets and priority outcomes.” 

  
  

• The Environment Agency has published the details of the £22bn Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) for 2025-30. Details can be found here: https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/winep