It has been a pivotal month for UK environmental and energy policy, marked by a series of major announcements from DEFRA, DESNZ, Select Committees and All-Party Parliamentary Groups. These updates come at a critical moment as the UK prepares for COP30, accelerates its clean energy transition and responds to growing pressures on water, nature and infrastructure resilience.
One of the most significant developments is the publication of the long-anticipated Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025. The revised EIP places much stronger emphasis on delivery, monitoring and environmental security. ISEP’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Signe Norberg, explains more here.
In this month’s roundup, Asim Ali, Senior Public Affairs Officer at ISEP, summarises the key developments shaping the UK's environment, sustainability and energy agenda.
DEFRA has published the updated UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy, setting out a long-term framework to conserve, protect and restore biodiversity across the Territories. Developed jointly with Overseas Territories governments, it emphasises ecosystem restoration, species protection, and enhanced local environmental governance.
DEFRA released the EIP 2025 Monitoring Plan, which provides the backbone for accountability in the revised Environmental Improvement Plan. It outlines the theories of change behind each EIP goal, the commitments required to deliver progress, and how outcomes will be measured through future annual reports. This strengthens transparency and ensures environmental delivery remains on track.
A companion policy paper maps how the EIP aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It demonstrates how the UK’s national biodiversity targets contribute to global goals agreed at COP15 — particularly around nature recovery, species abundance, protected areas and ecosystem restoration.
The government has confirmed major investment in tree planting, backed by £1 billion for green jobs and nature restoration. A second National Forest will be established in the Oxford–Cambridge Arc, with a third to be selected in 2026. This signals a continued drive to embed nature recovery within economic growth strategies.
Water Minister Emma Hardy delivered a keynote speech highlighting reform, investment and workforce capability as central to delivering a resilient water sector.
DEFRA and Energy & Utility Skills convened the inaugural meeting of a new Water Skills Strategic Group, addressing workforce shortages at a time of record investment in water infrastructure. The initiative aims to build long-term skills pathways across the entire water supply chain.
The Environment Agency has warned that England could face widespread drought in 2026 if winter rainfall remains low, following an exceptionally dry spring and summer. The report highlights risks to agriculture, nature recovery, navigation and public water supply.
A new law bans the sale of plastic-containing wet wipes in England - a major step in reducing pollution in rivers, lakes and coastal environments. Microplastics from wet wipes are a growing threat to wildlife and water quality.
The Environment Agency has urged a major step-change in water efficiency, calling on companies and the public to reduce demand and accelerate leak-reduction efforts.
At COP30, the UK announced progress on the Cali Fund, with the first private-sector contribution from a UK startup. The UK also advanced discussions on sustainable farming, ocean protection and nature-finance mobilisation.
The Prime Minister unveiled new investment deals supporting offshore wind, port infrastructure and large-scale energy storage, contributing to clean energy growth and high-skilled jobs across the UK’s industrial regions.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks set out progress on the government’s Energy Mission, including faster grid upgrades, scaling renewables, and strengthening market reform.
DESNZ and Ofgem issued a joint letter outlining expectations for grid connections reform. The government emphasised accelerating timelines, improving offer quality and ensuring the system can support Clean Power 2030 ambitions.
Over 250 schools will benefit from funded solar installations, reducing bills and enabling long-term reinvestment into education services.
The scheme now supports air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries, helping households improve comfort and cut energy bills.
Following the North Hyde substation fire, the government is developing a national Energy Resilience Strategy to strengthen protections for critical infrastructure.
From April 2026, households will benefit from an average £150 reduction in energy bills, alongside expanded eligibility for the Warm Home Discount.
A progress report covering £4 billion in net-zero focused R&D highlights advances in hydrogen, storage, energy systems and industrial decarbonisation.
DESNZ is seeking views on low-carbon options for homes unsuitable for heat pumps or heat networks. Consultation closes 10 February 2026.
The EAC has been highly active this month, sharpening scrutiny of the government’s environmental delivery and highlighting gaps between ambition and implementation.
Recent interventions include:
- Stronger action on deforestation ahead of COP30, where the Committee urged Ministers to take a clearer leadership role on global forest protections and climate finance.
- A major report challenging the idea that nature protections hinder housing delivery, concluding instead that well-designed environmental measures support long-term community resilience and better placemaking.
- Responses to the Autumn Budget and the new EIP, calling for a more coherent approach to environmental investment, improved governance, and stronger accountability across Whitehall.
Ahead of COP30, the Committee launched a wide-ranging inquiry into domestic and international climate policy, examining the UK’s credibility on climate leadership, the role of international finance, and how effectively government strategies align with statutory net-zero targets.
The inquiry focuses on:
- Whether current policies can realistically deliver Clean Power 2030
- How fiscal and regulatory frameworks support (or undermine) UK competitiveness
- The UK’s role in accelerating global decarbonisation
The Environment APPG, working with Islamic Relief, recently hosted a panel on COP30, Muslim communities and the climate crisis. The session highlighted the disproportionate climate impacts faced by vulnerable communities globally, and explored how faith-based organisations can support resilience, adaptation and climate justice.
Asim joined ISEP in May 2022 as a Senior Public Affairs Officer. Prior to joining ISEP, Asim worked in a variety of roles for three Members of Parliament and interned for the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. He also holds an MA in Human Rights, Globalisation & Justice
