NAO

NAO: Defra rapped for 'weaknesses' in green regulatory oversight

Policy

NAO: Defra rapped for 'weaknesses' in green regulatory oversight

National Audit Office becomes latest body to warn of risks to natural environment due to lack of effective oversight for green regulations in England

clock 21 April 2023 • 4 min read
'Get cracking': Why pressure is building on government to deliver a net zero power plan

Energy

'Get cracking': Why pressure is building on government to deliver a net zero power plan

National Audit Office warns lack of plan for meeting 2035 target for fully decarbonised power system risks scuppering green investment prospects

clock 01 March 2023 • 8 min read
'Fighting a losing battle': NAO warns UK's waste crime elimination target under threat

Waste

'Fighting a losing battle': NAO warns UK's waste crime elimination target under threat

Environment Agency waste crime prosecutions have fallen from a high of 800 per year to just 50 in recent years

clock 27 April 2022 • 4 min read
Government set to miss tree-planting target, National Audit Office warns

Legislation

Government set to miss tree-planting target, National Audit Office warns

National Audit Office says Defra lay down unrealistic timeline for key element of the UK's net zero strategy

clock 07 March 2022 • 3 min read
Poor harvest: Is the UK's post-Brexit green farming subsidy scheme struggling to capture farmers' attention?

Policy

Poor harvest: Is the UK's post-Brexit green farming subsidy scheme struggling to capture farmers' attention?

National Audit Office warns the flagship Environmental Land Management Scheme that is set to come online from next month is at risk from low levels of support from farmers and a lack of detailed objectives

clock 15 September 2021 • 5 min read

Policy

National Audit Office reveals how 'piecemeal' net zero support is hampering councils' climate efforts

New report urges government to urgently clarify role of councils and city authorities in supporting net zero transition

clock 16 July 2021 • 5 min read

Automotive

UK has 'long way to go' to build purely electric car market, spending watchdog warns

National Audit Office calls for long-term, joined-up strategy from the government to ensure every car on the road produces zero emissions by 2050

clock 26 February 2021 • 4 min read

Net Zero Now

'Reach outside of Whitehall': Spending watchdog calls for holistic net zero strategy

National Audit Office calls for greater clarity for how responsibility and roles of net zero will be divided across government and different public bodies

clock 04 December 2020 • 3 min read

Risk

England flood protection plans 'lack clarity' in key areas, watchdog warns

Environment Agency on track to meet flood protection defence targets, but many gaps in data remain, says NAO

clock 26 November 2020 • 4 min read

Policy

Defra lacking clear plan for meeting environmental goals, watchdog warns

National Audit Office report urges government to shore-up its plans to protect and enhance the environment

clock 11 November 2020 • 4 min read