Essential Environment: Water policy 2026
Since the election of the new UK Government, environmental issues have seen significant policy developments, so there are plenty of opportunities to engage.
The IES and the Foundation for Water Research (FWR) have created this briefing paper as an introductory reference on environmental policy relating to water and linked issues, including water security and water quality.
In particular, the Water White Paper and the Green Paper for Wales present significant shifts in the trajectory of water policy going forwards. For more information, read the briefing or our analysis on the Water White Paper.
We hope this briefing will help IES and FWR members to stay up-to-date on relevant policy issues, supporting horizon scanning and identifying opportunities for our expert members to engage with decision makers and the public. We publish updates to this paper on an annual basis.
You may also be interested in our horizon scanning paper on clean air policy and our briefing on land and nature policy.
Where to find out more
- If you want to stay up-to-date with the latest developments, make sure you are subscribed to Essential Environment.
- For more information about the latest developments in water, find out more about the Foundation for Water Research.
- For a perspective on how to implement policy that affects the water environment, see our Environmental Policy Implementation Community.
- To find out more about professional membership or chartership, consider joining the IES and the FWR.
Header image credit: © annomo10101 via Adobe Stock
