NAO: 'Complex and outdated' regulations mean just nine of 43 nature targets likely to be met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The current system of environmental regulation in the UK is "complex and outdated", and is hampering the government's progress towards a raft of ambitious environmental targets, many of which are likely...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

Study: Protecting tropical forests could save pharmaceutical industry up to $1.2tr

Study: Protecting tropical forests could save pharmaceutical industry up to $1.2tr

Deforestation since 2001 has put around a trillion dollars in social health and pharmaceutical value at risk, Zero Carbon Analytics finds

Stuart Stone
clock 30 July 2026 • 4 min read
London launches 10-Year Clean Rivers and Waterways plan

London launches 10-Year Clean Rivers and Waterways plan

Mayor Sadiq Khan hails new plan to transform the capital's rivers and create safe and accessible spaces for nature and the public

James Murray
clock 29 July 2026 • 2 min read
Innocent Drinks picks fruit and veg projects for £1m Farmer Innovation Fund

Innocent Drinks picks fruit and veg projects for £1m Farmer Innovation Fund

Grants awarded to farmers harnessing AI, remote sensors, and carbon modelling to grow key ingredients such as oranges, apples, coconuts, and strawberries

Stuart Stone
clock 29 July 2026 • 2 min read