Tag: Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 1 December 2025.

New plan sets course for cleaner rivers and air, as well as more nature and wildlife in England.

• Targeted and measured delivery plans to set out progress towards environmental targets while supporting economic growth
• £500 million to supercharge landscape-scale nature recovery across England

People across England will benefit from cleaner air and water under a strengthened plan to restore the natural environment, backed by hundreds of millions of pounds to revive iconic landscapes.  

The revised Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), published today (Monday 1 December), sets out an ambitious five-year roadmap to tackle the nature and climate crisis, improve public health, and support sustainable growth.  

Communities will see improved air quality thanks to action on fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) – a harmful pollutant linked to asthma, lung disease, and heart conditions. Under a new interim target, population exposure to PM2.5 will be cut by 30% by 2030, compared to 2018 levels – supporting better quality of life and reducing pressure on the NHS.  

Nature will be boosted with a quarter of a million hectares of wildlife-rich habitats created or restored by 2030 – an area larger than Greater London. This is 110,000 hectares of habitat more than had been previously committed, supporting our aims for a healthier environment, which is essential to growth.    

A new target to halve the presence of damaging invasive species compared to 25 years ago will protect native wildlife and farmers’ livelihoods. This will help prevent new invasive species from becoming established and manage existing invaders like the American Signal Crayfish and Japanese Knotweed.   

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:    

Our environment faces real challenges, with pollution in our waterways, air quality that’s too low in many areas, and treasured species in decline.   

This plan marks a step change in restoring nature. Our ambitious targets are backed by real action to cut harmful air pollutants, revive habitats and protect the environment for generations to come. 

The plan is being supported with new headline commitments and funding announced today. This includes:  

• £500 million for Landscape Recovery projects, bringing together farmers and land managers to restore nature at scale, creating wildlife-rich environments, reducing flood risk and improving water quality while unlocking economic opportunities through green jobs and nature-based solutions that support rural prosperity  
• £85 million to improve and restore peatlands, reducing flooding in communities, improving water quality and supporting public health through cleaner air and enhanced access to green spaces for physical and mental wellbeing. This comes alongside £3 million to improve access to nature in Public Forest Estates through facilities including accessible bike trails and all-terrain mobility equipment. 
• First-ever plan to reduce risks from ‘forever chemicals’ (PFAS) to health and the environment, with a review of sewage sludge spreading rules to ensure sustainable practices  
• New Trees Action Plan and measures to reduce damaging methane emissions, particularly from agriculture, alongside exploring new domestic combustion measures to drive climate progress  
• Environment Act target delivery plans published for the first time, providing clear progress tracking and fixing the lack of rigour in the previous plan  

The publication follows wider government action on nature and biodiversity, including the reintroduction of beavers to the wild, a commitment to end bee-killing pesticides, and the launch of two National Forests.  

Government will now work with individuals, communities, farmers, businesses and local authorities to deliver the plan, driving economic growth through green jobs and innovation while ensuring future generations benefit from a greener and more prosperous country.  

Landscape Recovery is one of the government nature-friendly farming schemes, alongside Countryside Stewardship and the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which also deliver positive outcomes for nature and sustainable food production. Over half of farmland is already in one of these schemes, with an improved SFI offer opening next year. 

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 25 November 2025.

392 bathing waters in England are rated ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’, demonstrating the impact of designation, regulation and partnership working.

The Environment Agency has today (25 November) published the 2025 bathing water classifications for 449 designated bathing sites in England. 87% meet standards for ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ classification, an improvement on 2024, meaning swimmers can benefit from a higher number of better-quality bathing sites than last year. 

Overall, 417 bathing waters (93%), were rated ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’ or ‘Sufficient’, representing a slight rise on 2024. 297 sites achieved an ‘Excellent’ rating this year, compared to 289 in 2024, while 32 sites were classified as ‘Poor’, a decrease on 37 last year.  

Bathing water quality in England has improved dramatically since the 1990s, following decades of regulation, investment and partnership work. 

These results are based on the last four years of testing by the Environment Agency which monitors for indicators of pollution known to be associated with risks to bathers’ health, specifically E. coli and intestinal enterococci. 

Each bathing water has its own pressures, and many factors can influence bathing water quality including storm overflows, agricultural runoff, birds, dogs and other local issues. 

Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

Bathing water quality in England has improved significantly over recent decades, and this year’s results show the continued impact of strong regulation, investment and partnership working. 

But we know there is more to do, and the new bathing water reforms will strengthen the way these much-loved places are managed.  

The Environment Agency is working closely with Defra to ensure these changes are implemented effectively whilst our teams continue to work with water companies, farmers, councils and local groups to tackle all sources of pollution and support continued progress across sites.

The Environment Agency works closely with local partners at priority sites to tackle all factors influencing water quality. Goring beach in West Sussex is a good example of this partnership working – following EA sampling and information sharing, awareness campaigns by Worthing Borough Council, and Southern Water fixing misconnections, the bathing water has achieved a ‘Good’ classification this year. 

Alongside the annual classifications, the government’s new Bathing Water Regulation reforms came into force on 21 November. These reforms are designed to change the ‘one size fits all’ approach and more closely reflect how people use our beaches, lakes and rivers. 

The reforms include: 

• We’ve ended the old rule that automatically removed a bathing water’s status after five years of ‘Poor’ ratings in a row. Now, when a site is struggling regulators will look at the issues affecting the water quality and, where possible, work towards finding realistic options for improving it.  
• We’re bringing in more flexibility to monitoring dates – so that testing can be adapted to suit individual sites and better match when people actually use the water. 
• A third reform, which will look at new criteria for bathing waters, will come into force in May 2026 to allow guidance to be fully developed. 

Water Minister Emma Hardy said: 

Our bathing waters are at the heart of so many communities, and these reforms will help people experience the benefits of our beautiful waters and connect with nature.  

By ending automatic de-designation and bringing in more flexibility to when waters are monitored, we’re creating a system that reflects how people actually use their local rivers, lakes and beaches. 

These changes sit alongside our wider action to clean up our waterways so communities across the country can enjoy the places they care about most. 

Defra and the Environment Agency are encouraging people to use Swimfo, the EA’s online service providing the latest information on bathing water quality and incidents, helping the public make informed decisions about where and when to swim. 

Notes to Editors 

• To protect our waterways and the health of swimmers, the Environment Agency monitors the water quality at more than 400 designated beaches and inland waters across England. We do this through a robust sampling programme – as set out in law in the Bathing Water Regulations. 
• The Environment Agency classifies England’s bathing waters each year as ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’, ‘Sufficient’ or ‘Poor’, based on four years of monitoring data. 
• Monitoring runs throughout the bathing season and samples are assessed for Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci for classification purposes. 
• The 2025 classifications cover 449 designated bathing waters in England. 
• The Environment Agency is working with local partners to take targeted action to improve water quality at bathing waters classified as ‘Poor’. 
• Bathing water designations are made by the Secretary of State for Defra following local applications and public consultation. 
• The Bathing Water Regulations reforms came into force on 21 November, ending automatic de-designation after five consecutive Poor classifications and introducing flexibility for site-specific bathing seasons, which means that sites can apply to change the boundaries of their bathing season. 
• De-designation is now a case-by-case ministerial decision. 
• A further reform updating designation criteria will come into force in May 2026 after guidance is finalised. 
• Members of the public can access up-to-date bathing water information, including the 2025 classifications, via the Environment Agency’s Swimfo service.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 24 November 2025.

UK accelerates global leadership on nature at COP30.

• First company – a British startup – contributes to the Cali Fund paving the way for others to do the same and mobilise private sector finance for nature at scale 
• Minister for Nature works with global partners to mobilise finance for nature, promote sustainable farming for food security and takes action to protect our oceans. 

The UK Government has taken bold and ambitious action to protect and restore nature at the COP30 climate meeting.  

UK representatives have championed the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems around the world, and the essential work we’re doing back home to restore our forests, landscapes and seas for the British people as part of the Plan for Change.  

During COP30, the first payment to the Cali Fund – by a British business – was announced. This marks a major milestone since its launch earlier this year. The Fund enables companies – such as pharmaceutical and biotech companies – to share profits with Indigenous Peoples and local communities who protect the nature that provides genetic resources for their products.

The UK is working closely with the private sector and other governments to support effective implementation of the Fund, including through the Friends of the Cali Fund, and this first contribution is a real milestone in these efforts.  

UK-based startup Tierra Viva AI proudly kickstarts contributions to the Cali Fund, paving the way for others to follow and contribute to the Fund at scale.  

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:  

British families are already feeling the impact of climate change – from flooding that destroys homes to heatwaves that put vulnerable people at risk.  

We cannot tackle nature loss and climate change in isolation; in Brazil we have built the global coalition for ambitious action on nature which is the only way to protect our home for future generations

Ruth Davis, Special Representative for Nature said:  

The UK has demonstrated technical expertise and worked alongside our global partners to put nature on the agenda, but there is more to do, and we must now amplify the momentum for action at scale on climate and nature.

This isn’t just about doing the right thing for the planet. Building a stronger and fairer global economy will unlock enormous economic opportunities – we know that investing in nature creates jobs and accelerates growth with new opportunities attracting millions in investment.

At COP30, the UK government has made further commitments to halt and reverse nature loss This includes: 

• Launching the UK-Brazil Fertilisers Declaration – a global push to cut emissions from fertiliser production and use. It’s about improving food security and protecting jobs and growth by supporting farmers’ resilience and boosting agricultural productivity. 
• Joining the Saltmarsh Breakthrough – protecting these vital coastal ecosystems which anchor key marine food chains, shield communities from floods and lock away more carbon than most forests.
• Becoming a Food Waste Breakthrough Country Champion – driving the global goal to halve food waste by 2030 and cutting methane emissions by keeping food waste out of landfills.   
• Nature actions – COP30 showcased the UK’s role in advancing the global ‘nature actions agenda’. The summit saw the Independent Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits launch its Nature Markets Policy Forum with the UK, France and Indonesia joining as founding members, helping to unlock innovation and investment in high integrity nature credit markets.
• Congo call to action – The UK also furthered its long-standing partnership with the Congo Basin region, joining a Call to Action, to ensure the world recognises the importance of Congo’s forests and funds solutions developed by Congolese institutions and communities.

The UK’s leadership at COP30 echoes our commitments to support the environment at home.  

We announced that the second National Forest will be in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, where millions of trees will be planted as part of a wider commitment to allocate over £1 billion this parliament to tree planting. This will support nature recovery, green jobs, and net zero goals.  

Further detail on this government’s plan to restore the environment will be set out in the upcoming Environmental Improvement Plan, which will outline the next phase of the UK’s nature recovery ambitions.    

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 November 2025.

Water skills group, co-chaired with Energy & Utility Skills, holds inaugural meeting today.

The water industry is set to benefit from a new group created by government to ensure it has the skilled workforce it needs to deliver record levels of investment and reform.  

The Water Skills Strategic Group held its first meeting today, 13th November 2025, bringing together senior leaders in government from and across the water sector and its supply chain. 

The group’s focus will be the delivery of the £104 billion investment – the largest since privatisation – which will create more than 30,000 new jobs, support the building of 1.5 million new homes, and help restore the nation’s rivers, lakes and seas. 

Convened by Defra and co-chaired with sector skills body Energy & Utility Skills, the group will drive coordinated action to grow a future-ready, highly skilled workforce across England and Wales, which will form the future of the water sector.  

The Group will ensure the water sector has the skills needed to deliver huge infrastructure projects including nine new reservoirs, nine large-scale water transfer schemes and reducing leaks from water pipes. This will include roles such as bioresources technicians, hydraulics specialists, engineers, construction workers, and surveyors. 

Meeting quarterly, the group will focus on identifying where skills are needed most across the sector, exploring how to improve its attractiveness to new, diverse talent and ensuring the right training and qualifications are in place. A framework for measuring progress will ensure the group is achieving its objectives, creating impact and robustly planning to support the implementation of the government’s water reform. 

Water Minister Emma Hardy said: 

We’re driving the biggest overhaul of the water sector since privatisation – making sure record investment goes where it’s needed most to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. 

That means opening up jobs and opportunities across England and Wales so we have skilled people on the ground, in every community, delivering the change we all want to see.   

This partnership between government, industry and training bodies will help build the workforce we need for the future of our water sector.

Paul Cox, Group Chief Executive, Energy & Utility Skills, said:   

The water sector stands at a pivotal moment with a shared responsibility to deliver for customers and the environment. Skills are central to that ambition. The scale of AMP8 investment will bring lasting benefits for communities, families and individuals across the United Kingdom.  

By grounding decisions in evidence, attracting new talent, developing expertise and retaining experience, the sector can build a skilled and resilient workforce ready to meet future challenges. Through collaboration and pace, the sector can turn ambition into delivery and secure clean, reliable and sustainable water for generations to come.

This builds on commitments made at the Water UK Skills Summit earlier this year where government and industry leaders signed the Water Skills Pledge, affirming the government’s commitment to ensuring the water sector has the skills and workforce it needs to succeed. 

Defra also established the Water Delivery Taskforce, which brings together Government, regulators, and water industry representatives, to ensure water companies complete their planned investments on time and on budget – providing value for money for customers.  

The government will fast-track key recommendations from the Independent Water Commission and outline further actions in a White Paper later this year, paving the way for new legislation to attract investment, speed up infrastructure delivery, and restore public confidence in the sector.  

Notes to editors: 

• The Water Skills Strategic Group is jointly chaired by Defra and Energy & Utility Skills. 
• Membership includes senior representatives from Defra, Energy & Utility Skills, Water UK, British Water, the Institute of Water, CIWEM, the Future Water Association, major water companies across England and Wales, supply chain contractors and key government departments. 
• The group will run until March 2030, aligning with Asset Management Period 8.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 16 October 2025.

The Review, led by Professor Peter Bonfield, brought together leaders from across various sectors who all have an important role in improving the PFR uptake.

Strong leadership from government, housebuilders, insurers and flood action groups will be vital in ensuring homes across England are better protected from the impacts of flooding, according to an independent review published today (Thursday 16 October).  

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of property flood resilience measures, which help reduce the risk of damage to individual properties, speed up recovery and help people go back home after flooding. However, uptake remains still too low.  

With the latest Environment Agency data showing more than 6.3 million properties in England are now at risk of flooding, it’s vital that more homeowners explore these measures to avoid facing higher insurance premiums or reduced market value for their property.  

Commissioned by the Environment Agency, Professor Peter Bonfield has published an independent review setting out how the nation can accelerate practical and affordable flood resilience measures for homes, while offering a clear roadmap for boosting resilience and helping people recover faster from floods. 

Property flood resilience measures – such as flood doors, non-return valves and air bricks – can help to keep as much water out of a property as possible. They also include measures like tiled floors and raised electrics, so if water does enter, it minimises damage and helps people get back on their feet quicker. The use of Sustainable Drainage Systems at property level, for example permeable paving and rain gardens, can also reduce the risk of surface water flooding. 

The FloodReady Review builds on progress made since the 2016 PFR Review and sets out a series of clear, practical recommendations to increase the use of resilience measures in homes and businesses at risk of flooding.  

Recommendations include investment being targeted to areas where PFR measures offer the greatest benefit and best value for money. It also calls on landlords to help protect their tenants by embedding PFR into housing improvements.  

It also advocates for greater collaboration between local authorities and water companies to align investment plans and deliver resilience more effectively. These recommendations represent a forward-looking approach to tackling the growing challenge of flooding in a changing climate.   

Professor Peter Bonfield, lead for the Flood Ready Review, said: 

Flooding presents a significant and growing risk to people, properties and businesses. I was pleased to be invited to lead this independent review – FloodReady – of how we can better mainstream property flood resilience. 

FloodReady sets out how we can make flood resilience a normal part of how homes and businesses are built, maintained and repaired. It shows the power of partnership working between government, insurers, local authorities, and communities. 

It is really heartening that the actions set out in FloodReady will now progress for delivery through the multi-sectoral Leadership Group, Property Flood Resilience Roundtable and others to make the actions a reality to help protect people and property.

Julie Foley, Director of Flood Risk Strategy at the Environment Agency, said: 

We have been actively working with suppliers and partners to mainstream property flood resilience as one of the ways of tackling the rising threat of flooding.  

Through our new flood investment programme, we will be targeting property flood resilience measures where they are the most effective way of managing flood risk and offer the best value for money.  

We are also committed to ensuring that the suppliers and installers we work with follow industry best practice so that we can build trust with communities and ensure that property flood resilience can play in helping people recover more quickly after flooding.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said: 

As we experience the effects of climate change it has never been more important to mainstream Property Flood Resilience measures. 

Today’s FloodReady review marks a vital step change in how people better protect their homes and recover faster after flooding. 

I look forward to working across government and with partners to build resilience and safeguard communities as we face a future of increasing flood risk.

The Review is the result of close collaboration between the Environment Agency, Defra, Flood Re, the insurance sector, housing associations, builders, local authorities, and community groups. This joint effort aims to align flood resilience actions with the government’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy and wider climate adaptation goals. 

The recommendations will be taken forward by a core leadership group, who will work closely with stakeholders to prioritise and implement key actions.

ABI Director General Hannah Gurga said:  

With climate change increasing the frequency and severity of flooding, we strongly support the FloodReady Review’s focus on coordinated action to protect homes and communities. The review shows the impact of the whole supply chain working together to improve our resilience to flooding, and insurers are committed to increasing the uptake of Build Back Better and Property Flood Resilience. This is a vital opportunity to make sure flood resilience is built into our homes, with clear standards, accessible funding, and strong collaboration across sectors.

Charles Roe, Director of Mortgages at UK Finance, said:  

UK Finance welcomes the FloodReady Review and the recommendations it sets out for tackling one of the most visible climate-related challenges facing households and communities. Flood risk is not just an environmental issue, it has direct implications for mortgage lending, insurance, and property valuation. The mortgage sector is committed to working with government, insurers, and homeowners to ensure investment in property flood resilience initiatives. This Review is an important step towards building a system where property flood risk is better understood, managed, and mitigated.

Paul Shaffer, Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) said:

CIWEM has been working with many of the contributors to the FloodReady review to build a pathway for PFR professionals to be trained, assessed and professionally registered in order to quality assure and demonstrate their competence. We believe that FloodReady’s recommendations to focus on skill development, sector consolidation and alignment is vital to increasing the resilience and confidence of communities at risk of flooding. We look forward to working with government and other FloodReady partners to provide the necessary consistency and confidence in PFR delivery. 

Brett Amphlett, Policy & Public Affairs: The Builders Merchants’ Federation, said: 

The misery that flooding causes is inevitably local – and therefore the response must be local – from flood risk managers, builders’ merchants and others. Local merchants can provide what’s needed for immediate relief – followed by pumps, dryers, dehumidifiers and other materials & products in the resulting clear-up. The Builders Merchants’ Federation supports this Review and is promoting it to builders’ merchants and civils & drainage specialists in our supply chain – especially in districts prone to flooding.

Alistair Smyth, Director of Policy and Research, National Housing Federation, said:

We welcome the publication of the FloodReady action plan. Improving the resilience of homes to flood risk and reducing the potential impact of flooding on people’s lives will become even more urgent in the years and decades to come. That is why the report’s recommendations on the action needed and the shared responsibilities of landlords and other parties is of vital importance and in time should be adopted right across our sector.

Duncan King, Senior Technical Manager, Construction Products Association, said:

FloodReady highlights the necessity for a whole industry involvement to effectively negate the misery caused by properties being flooded. While standards can be written covering the production of effective flood resilient products, standards of workmanship for those undertaking retrofitting work need to be officially recognised and supported by warranties backed by the insurance industry, perhaps even the introduction of annual inspections of installed measures by local authorities.

Graham Watts OBE, Chief Executive, Construction Industry Council, said:  

It has been an eye-opening pleasure to serve on Peter Bonfield’s leadership group for this review, especially as someone who lives in a flood-threatened community. The recommendations in the FloodReady report are wide-ranging and significant. The board of the Construction Industry Council has already pledged support for helping to implement those that are directed at the construction industry.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 October 2025.

A record £10.5 billion investment in flood defences will defend nearly 900,000 properties in England, with new rules to get defences built more quickly.

Deprived communities across the country will benefit from new flood defences, under sweeping reforms unveiled by the government today (Tuesday 14 October), safeguarding England’s renewal by better protecting homes and businesses from flooding. 

The last time rules on allocating flood defence funding were updated was in 2011. Since then, the system has failed to support more innovative solutions, like natural flood management, and was based on outdated evidence.  

On top of that, the rules required a complex application process which put councils with limited resources at a disadvantage, meaning poorer communities struggled to build the defences they need.   

In a major shift, the government has overhauled that complex approach and committed a record £10.5 billion to flood defences to protect nearly 900,000 properties.

The new rules – which will be used for the next flood programme starting in April 2026 – ensure that all prioritised flood projects valued at £3 million or less are eligible for full funding by the government. Prioritised projects valued higher than this will be eligible for the first £3 million of support upfront, and 90% of the costs thereafter.  

For example, if an eligible scheme valued at £10 million was approved and prioritised for investment, the scheme owners would only need to provide £700,000 to get spades in the ground, as the government would contribute £9.3 million to the project’s costs.   

The move will bring confidence and security to local businesses and investors, helping to kickstart economic growth as part of the Plan for Change and safeguard the government’s plans to deliver national renewal.  

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:   

For too long, deprived towns and cities struggled to secure the vital money needed for flood defences due to a complicated and outdated process.   

Our reforms will rip this up and help communities get back on their feet after floods – by unlocking economic growth, building new homes and creating new jobs.  

This government will be investing a record £10.5 billion into new flood defences and repairing existing assets to protect more people from the devastation of flooding.

At least 20% of future investment will also be set aside to help protect the most deprived communities in England over the next ten years. 

Together, these reforms will break the cycle of towns struggling to recover from flooding, with increased protection from new flood defences helping to grow the local economy, create jobs and protect high streets against billions of pounds in damages.   

This long-term investment in the nation’s infrastructure will bring with it economic growth and secure national renewal for decades to come, as well as boosting our resilience to a warming climate.   

In a move to ensure government investment goes even further, new projects will be prioritised based on value for money, with the contributions from partners – such as businesses, wildlife groups or farm clusters – being better recognised and boosting the chances of projects being approved.  

These changes will ensure government funding unlocks external investment, making every pound of taxpayer money go further. 

Caroline Douglass, Executive Director of Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said:  

Our changing climate means it has never been more important to ensure communities are better protected from the devastating impacts of flooding.   

We welcome the government’s new approach to flood and coastal erosion investment, enabling a wider range of projects such as natural flood management and property flood resilience to be supported. Together with our partners, we will work to deliver these ambitions on the ground.

The biggest overhaul in 15 years of the government’s approach to flooding will see a number of previously neglected approaches prioritised – reflecting better understanding of flood risk across the country.  

For the first time, refurbishment of existing flood defences will be treated on an equal footing with new projects. This recognises the growing pressure on ageing defences and ensures vital repairs get the funding they need.   

Natural flood management projects supported by the government are cost effective, while delivering environmental benefits in addition to flood protection. The largest ever investment in natural flood management, delivered over the next decade, will form a key part of the new, overhauled approach to managing flood risk. 

In its first year in power, the government has delivered 151 flood schemes, better protecting more than 24,000 homes and businesses from flooding across England. This includes the Pevensey Bay Sea Defences in East Sussex, which has better protected 3,225 properties.   

This action forms part of the government’s record investment of at least £10.5 billion until 2036 – the largest flood programme in history – to construct new flood defences and repair existing defences.  

Recognising flood defences were inherited in their worst condition on record, £108 million was reprioritised for urgent maintenance works, which halt the decline of major assets and make communities confident that they are protected.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 9 October 2025.

New funding for local projects across 12 UK Overseas Territories and 36 developing countries over the next five years.

• The package will support local action to restore nature, reduce poverty and address climate change around the world
• This will help protect 1.5 million hectares of forest in Bolivia, recover St Helena’s cloud forest and support critically endangered eagles in the Philippines

Vital ecosystems and threatened species such as tigers, Philippine eagles, reef sharks, Amazon parrots and sea turtles across the globe are set to benefit from new government funding announced today (Thursday 9th October).

80 local projects spread across 36 developing countries and 12 UK Overseas Territories, will be funded with the aim of restoring ecosystems, safeguarding nature, securing food and water supplies and improving lives.

Supporting nature restoration across the world is a crucial part of protecting the long-term health of our economy. More than half of the global economy is estimated to be dependent in some way on the ecosystem services that nature provides.

Some of the projects receiving funding include: 

• Bolivian forests – UK investment will help protect up 1.5 million hectares of vital forest, prevent the loss of 200,000 hectares, generate new income for indigenous communities, and secure water supplies.
• Cloud forest of St Helena – A unique cloud forest which locals depend upon for capturing fresh water will be protected through a project led by the RSPB which will improve water security, and address the key threats of plant pathogens and invasive species.
• Eagles in the Philippines – A project led by Botanic Gardens Conservation International will help restore the highly biodiverse tropical rainforest of the Pantaron Mountain Range, while improving the livelihoods of local indigenous communities and promoting the protection of the endemic and critically endangered Philippine eagle.
• Lemurs in Madagascar – A project based in Madagascar will promote regenerative agricultural practices to support reforestation efforts in high-altitude rainforests, improving food security and nutrition for farmers and their families while expanding habitat for eleven endangered lemur species and other unique Malagasy wildlife.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:  

If we want to prosper into the future, then supporting international action to protect nature is essential.

When ecosystems break down, food, water, health and economies unravel – fuelling instability, insecurity, and conflict across the globe. By supporting nature recovery across the world today, we are protecting our security and economic prosperity for the future.

This government is taking action, both in the UK and more widely, to help nature recover and protect some of the world’s most iconic species.

Shayla Ellick, the RSPB’s St Helena project manager said:

Thanks to vital support through the Darwin Plus programme, we’re continuing essential research and conservation work to restore St Helena’s cloud forest, home to over 250 species of plants and invertebrates found nowhere else on Earth and the main water source for the people of St Helena.

We were delighted to receive this latest grant, which builds on our partnership with the St Helena Government, the St Helena National Trust, and Connect Saint Helena, and on previous work funded by the FCDO and through many previous Darwin Plus projects. Together, we’re working to restore this unique ecosystem.

The money for these projects comes from two funds, the Darwin Initiative, targeting action in low- and middle-income countries, and Darwin Plus, which funds projects supporting biodiversity and conservation projects across the UK Overseas Territories. Since 1993, the Darwin Initiative has awarded over £230m to more than 1,275 projects across 159 countries.

We also recently announced that a new batch of successful projects will receive funding through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund from October 2025. By tackling illegal wildlife trade – which is often linked to wider criminal networks – we are not only protecting endangered species, but also supporting safer communities, stronger economies and legitimate businesses around the world. 

The Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, another of the UK government’s flagship Biodiversity Challenge Funds, supports innovative and scalable projects that reduce pressure on wildlife from illegal trade and reduce poverty in developing countries.   

This announcement was made at an event at the Natural History Museum where UK government is working to galvanise international action ahead of COP30. 

Britain is taking a leading role on the world stage in tackling the twin threats of climate change and nature loss.  We are working with our partners across the world to build global ambition on nature – accelerating delivery of the Global Biodiversity Framework, meeting our 30×30 commitment and showing leadership at home by reversing biodiversity loss.

ENDS 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

• The Darwin Initiative is one of the UK government’s flagship Biodiversity Challenge Funds, and awards grants that enable low and middle-income countries to conserve their unique biodiversity, reduce poverty and address climate change.
• Darwin Plus competitively awards grants to projects that aim to deliver long-term strategic outcomes for the unique biodiversity within the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs), supporting the communities who live and work in biodiverse areas to build resilience to climate change.   
• The total funding included in this package is more than £35 million across over 80 projects.
• BirdLife International Forest Impact Accelerator Plus – In partnership with BirdLife International, we’re supporting efforts across eight countries (Bolivia, Zambia, Philippines, Nepal, Uganda, Sao Tome and Principe, Kenya, and Indonesia) to engage the private sector in conserving one million hectares of forest, while tackling poverty in the areas around these forests.   
• Recovering St Helena’s cloud forest for wildlife & water security – The unique cloud forest of St Helena, which locals depend upon for capturing fresh water will be protected through a project led by the RSPB which will improve water security, and provide a model for other key habitats by addressing the key threats of plant pathogens and invasive species, and creating a framework for restoration.
• Nature’s Neighbours: Sustainable Coexistence between Indigenous People and Philippine Eagles – A project led by Botanical Gardens Conservation International will help restore the highly biodiverse tropical rainforest of the Pantaron Mountain Range, while improving the livelihoods of local indigenous communities and promoting the protection of the endemic and critically endangered Philippine eagle.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 9 October 2025.

21,000 new homes in North Sussex unlocked after four-year bottleneck.

Families in North Sussex are set to benefit from thousands of new homes following a landmark agreement between government, regulators and industry – resolving a four-year pause on development while safeguarding local wetlands and wildlife.

This marks a major step forward in delivering homes for local families, supporting community growth and protecting the natural heritage of the Arun Valley.

Around 4,000 homes that were previously stalled will now proceed while enabling a further 17,000 to be built.

This breakthrough builds on the government pledge to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament, a core milestone of the Plan for Change.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:
This breakthrough ends a broken status quo and shows how we can build the homes the community needs while protecting nature.

Under the government’s Plan for Change, we are taking a win-win approach that unlocks growth while protecting and restoring the natural world we all depend on.

We are getting Britain building again while securing a brighter future for our precious wetlands, wildlife and local rivers.

Discussions were led through Defra’s Water Delivery Taskforce, a forum for government departments, water companies, regulators and developers to drive progress and resolve issues like this one.

Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, said:
This type of sustainable development clearly shows how we can build the new homes this country needs while restoring and protecting nature.

A thriving natural environment is at the heart of a strong economy and is vital to all of our health and wellbeing. We know that people want to live near nature and cases like this where sound nature regulations prompted innovative solutions mean we can continue to make that possible.

Jennie Donovan, Environment Agency Director Nature and Place, said:
The Environment Agency are committed to protecting the environment whilst supporting growth and sustainable development, ensuring new homes are built with adequate flood risk protection, supply of drinking water and sewerage services.

This agreement shows how working together to manage our water needs can unlock development and enable new homes for local communities, whilst helping nature recover at the same time.

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said:
The breakthrough achieved in Sussex North demonstrates how through smart policy interventions we can unlock precisely the kind of win-win for development and nature that this government is committed to achieving.

Building work had been halted since 2021 due to concerns over the amount of water being taken from rivers and wetlands in the Arun Valley, which risked impacting protected wildlife and local water resources.

Work will begin from 1 November, with local authorities and developers working together to deliver homes that meet high environmental standards.

Under the agreement by Defra, Natural England, the Environment Agency and Southern Water, the water company will change its water abstraction permits to limit the amount of water taken from local rivers and wetlands, as well as provide funding to restore habitats. This will be paid for by the company and not by consumers.

The agreement ensures protection for rare species like the Lesser Whirlpool Ramshorn Snail, a unique part of the Arun Valley’s ecosystem.

New homes will also be built to higher water efficiency standards in line with the building regulation guidance for water scarce areas, reducing daily water use and easing pressure on local watercourses.

This follows our announcement on changes to Building Regulations that will tackle water shortage bottlenecks and unblock stalled developments in areas of water scarcity.

Notes to editors:
In 2021, Natural England issued a water neutrality position statement in relation to the Arun Valley. As a result, new housing developments in parts of Horsham, Crawley and Chichester were paused.

Today’s agreement enables development to continue, building work will resume on 1 November.

This government recognises the significant contribution by local authorities in managing the implications of water scarcity and the future challenges involved in getting appropriate development back underway, and we will continue to work with them to this end.

The projected number of homes is based on estimates provided by local authorities.