UK Act of Parliament 2021 United Kingdom

Environment Act 2021 (enhancement)

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At a glance

What's here

20 compliance obligations, 23 practical guides across 3 topics · 21 journeys · 24 statutory instruments

Penalty landscape

1 of 20 obligations carry a fine up to £300. 1 carries different penalties and 18 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Who this Act binds

Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.

  • Occupier 1
  • Any Person 1
  • Statutory Undertaker 1

Plus 17 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.

Step-by-step journeys using this legislation

Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.

Relevant guidance

Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.

Direct — cites this Act

11 guides

Supporting — topic alignment

9 guides

Mentioned in related content

3 guides
View all 23 guides →

Other Acts binding the same actors

For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.

Occupiers also bound by 101 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Any Person also bound by 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Statutory Undertakers also bound by 21 other Acts (top 5 shown)

What this Act requires

Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1 — Environmental governance

s.005

Environmental targets: effect

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must ensure environmental and air quality targets are met Crown / Minister / Government department
s.007

Environmental targets: review

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must review and report on environmental targets Crown / Minister / Government department
s.015

Renewing plans: other requirements

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must review and update environmental improvement plans Crown / Minister / Government department
s.024

The OEP’s strategy: process

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • OEP must publish, review, and consult on its environmental strategy Statutory regulator
s.025

Guidance on the OEP’s Northern Ireland enforcement policy and functions

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • DAERA must issue and publish guidance for OEP Northern Ireland enforcement Crown / Minister / Government department
s.026

Memorandum of understanding

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • OEP and Climate Change Committee must coordinate via a memorandum Statutory regulator
s.034

Duty to keep complainants informed

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • OEP must keep complainants updated on environmental failure investigations Statutory regulator
s.035

Information notices

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • OEP may issue information notices to public authorities Statutory regulator
Browse 33 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 2 — Environmental governance: Northern Ireland

Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 3 — Waste and resource efficiency

Browse 22 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 4 — Air quality and environmental recall

s.075

Compulsory recall notices

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State may issue compulsory product recall notices Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 5 — Water

s.080

Storm overflows

  • Publish annual reports on storm overflow discharges Statutory Undertaker
Browse 17 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 6 — Nature and biodiversity

Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 7 — Conservation covenants

Part 8 — Miscellaneous and general provisions

Schedules

Browse 20 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Read the full Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)

Official guidance

Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.

Enforcement and responsible bodies

The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.

Environment Agency

Primary

Environmental protection in England. Regulates waste, emissions, water quality, flood risk, and environmental permits for industrial activities. Enforces environmental law and issues …

Ofwat

Water Services Regulation Authority

Economic regulator for the water and sewerage sectors in England and Wales. Sets price limits, monitors service quality, and enforces environmental duties. …

DWI

Drinking Water Inspectorate

Regulates drinking water quality in England and Wales. Audits water companies, investigates water quality incidents, and approves products and substances used in …

OEP

Office for Environmental Protection

Independent body established post-Brexit to scrutinise environmental law and investigate complaints about public authorities' failures to comply with environmental law in England …

NatureScot

Scotland's nature agency. Advises government, manages protected areas, licenses activities affecting wildlife. Formerly Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

DEFRA

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities. Sets environmental policy and works with agencies …

Forestry Commission

Government department responsible for protecting, expanding, and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands in England. Issues felling licences, administers woodland creation grants, …

Natural England

Government adviser for the natural environment in England. Responsible for wildlife licensing (protected species), designating and managing protected sites (SSSIs, National Nature …

Connected legislation

24 statutory instruments

These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.

Secondary legislation (24)

+ 9 more statutory instruments

Explore more

Browse legislation

Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.

Regulators

Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.