The report’s executive summary concludes that: “Viewed against government’s long-term vision, our summary assessment … is that, while some progress has been made, very substantial challenges remain, and that government is largely off track to meet EIP23 ambitions, Environment Act targets and other commitments.” 

In addition to its overall assessment of whether England’s natural environment is improving, the OEP report measures progress against trends, targets, and the 10 goals in the EIP. These are supported by a full in-depth assessment, with full evidence provided or cited in the report. 

The OEP’s analysis of trends (consisting of indicators from the Outcome Indicator Framework, Environment Agency, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and similar sources) concludes that: 

• 25/51 trends are improving (49%) 
• 10/51 trends are static (20%) 
• 8/51 trends are deteriorating (16%) 
• 8/51 trends lack sufficient data for reporting (16%) 

The OEP’s analysis of the Government’s progress towards targets (both the legally-binding targets set under the Environment Act and the interim targets in the EIP) concludes that: 

• 4/40 targets are largely on track (10%) 
• 11/40 targets are partially on track (28%) 
• 10/40 targets are largely off track (25%) 
• 15/40 targets have insufficient data to be assessed (38%) 

As a result, the OEP’s analysis of the Government’s progress towards meeting the EIP’s 10 goals for improving the natural environment in England concluded that seven trends had mixed progress and three had limited progress: 

1. Thriving plants and wildlife (Mixed progress) 
2. Clean Air (Mixed progress) 
3. Clean and plentiful water (Mixed progress) 
4. Managing exposure to chemicals and pesticides (Limited progress) 
5. Maximise our resources, minimise our waste (Mixed progress) 
6. Using resources from nature sustainably (Limited progress) 
7. Mitigating and adapting to climate change (Limited progress) 
8. Reduced risk of harm from environmental hazards (Mixed progress) 
9. Enhancing biosecurity (Mixed progress) 
10. Enhancing beauty, heritage, and engagement with the natural environment (Mixed progress) 

Reflecting on the limitations for progress towards the Environmental Improvement Plan, the report sets out five key recommendations to support environmental improvement, which build on the recommendations issued in the OEP’s last progress report:

1. Implement the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 effectively 
2. Develop and implement clear and effective governance 
3. Develop and implement delivery plans 
4. Set and vigorously pursue clear and achievable interim targets that are as ambitious as possible in the areas needing most attention 
5. Develop and implement an effective monitoring, evaluation and learning framework 

These recommendations highlight the importance of delivering on environmental targets and ambitions from the strategic level down to the level of implementation in practice. Find out more about the work of the IES to support robust policy implementation and delivery through the Environmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC).