Environment blog team

Laying the groundwork for the Nature Restoration Fund

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: 30by30, Environmental Improvement Plan, Green finance, Nature, Planning
Wildflowers in front of a development of new homes

The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is a landmark reform to the way housing and infrastructure developers meet their environmental responsibilities.   Yesterday, 18 June 2026, two sets of secondary legislation were laid before Parliament.    This is an important step towards putting the fund into practice, …

Celebrating the launch of our first National River Walk – join our webinars on how to apply to deliver our next four river walks 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Access and engagement, National River Walks, Nature
A tree-lined path along a river

Rivers are at the heart of many of our towns, cities and countryside landscapes. They shape the places we live, support wildlife, and offer people somewhere to walk, wheel, cycle, volunteer, spend time with family, and connect with nature close to home.  …

Biodiversity Net Gain for NSIPs: gain statements laid and guidance published 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity net gain, Land use
image of a wildflower meadow with poppies and daisies

We have reached a significant milestone in implementing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).  Earlier this week the final biodiversity gain statements were formally laid in Parliament and are now available on GOV.UK. These statements are central to applying BNG to the NSIP regime and accompany the two statutory instruments in …

Digital waste tracking: What is it and why it matters 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Recycling, Resources and waste, Sustainability
A low level shot of a telehandler collecting recycling to put into a lorry for transportation

Waste crime is not new, but in recent years it has escalated into a more sophisticated, costly and damaging criminal enterprise. It costs the economy an estimated £1 billion every year, blights our communities, and causes serious harm to the environment. From vast illegal dumps to fraudulent disposal records, …

Biodiversity Net Gain: what's changing and what it means for you

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity net gain, Land use
nature rich pond near housing development.

Over the past two years, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has started to change the way development and nature work together, and we’ve learned a huge amount from local authorities, developers and ecologists along the way. Last week, we published a set of updates that strengthen and streamline how BNG operates across the planning system. Read …

Wild Again: A new chapter for England's species

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Forestry, Marine, Nature, Wild Again, Wildlife

The Government has set statutory targets to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030 and to reduce species extinction risk by 2042 against 2022 levels, as set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan. That’s why the Government has made a record investment in nature. In this post, we’ll talk you through the recent news and campaign for species recovery.

Planning for the future: England’s first Land Use Framework 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: 30by30, Farming, Land use, Landuse Framework, Nature, Planning

Today the Government has published England’s first ever Land Use Framework, which shows how through smarter planning and the right data and tools communities, farmers, landowners and developers can make informed decisions about land use. In this post, we’ll set out everything you need to know about the framework.

Forever chemicals: the problem and our plan

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Chemicals and pesticides, Environmental Improvement Plan
A family walking in the countryside

'Forever chemicals' - or PFAS - have been making headlines. PFAS are used in many products we rely on every day – cookware, clothing, packaging. Their durability is useful, but it also means they stay in the environment for a long time.   That's why the government is publishing its first PFAS plan setting out an evidence-based approach to tackling these persistent chemicals, protecting public health and the …