NAO: 'Complex and outdated' regulations mean just nine of 43 nature targets likely to be met

Stuart Stone
clock • 6 min read
Credit: iStock
Image:

Credit: iStock

Overly cautious culture within Defra, Environment Agency, and Natural England has restricted attempts to embrace new approaches for nature recovery, spending watchdog claims

The current system of environmental regulation in the UK is "complex and outdated", and is hampering the government's progress towards a raft of ambitious environmental targets, many of which are likely...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Biodiversity

Poll: Brits of 'all political stripes' are nature-lovers

Poll: Brits of 'all political stripes' are nature-lovers

Nature is the second biggest source of pride for Brits after the NHS, but just 15 per cent of the public think the government is doing a good job in protecting the natural world

Stuart Stone
clock 21 March 2026 • 5 min read
Study: Investment in river and wetlands restoration unlocks economic gains

Study: Investment in river and wetlands restoration unlocks economic gains

WWF report calls for 'massive ramping up' of investment in rivers and wetlands to realise benefits for societies and economies worldwide

clock 20 March 2026 • 3 min read
Study: UK agroforestry adoption held back by lack of advice for farmers

Study: UK agroforestry adoption held back by lack of advice for farmers

New study claims better integrating tree and shrub planting into farming systems would boost farm productivity, biodiversity and soil health

Jonathan Wheeler, Farmers Guardian
clock 16 March 2026 • 2 min read