Corporate report

Environment Agency corporate scorecard 2023 to 2024 - quarter three

Updated 15 August 2024

Applies to England

The corporate scorecard 2023 to 2024 quarter 3 (Q3) starts 1 October 2023 and ends 31 December 2023. The year end is 31 March 2024.

1. We reduce the risk from flooding for more properties.

Q3 Status	Q3 Actual	Cumulative target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	71,563	70,000	Green	87,351

Commentary

During quarter 3 of 2023 to 2024, 3,829 properties were better protected from flooding and coastal erosion by 23 schemes including:

• Lydd Ranges (Kent and South London Area): 2,290 properties
• Wessex Trash Screen Replacement Programme (Wessex Area): 275 properties
• Upper Don Valley FAS Phase 1 - Loxley Confluence (Yorkshire Area): 215 properties

This takes the cumulative total since April 2021 to 71,563 properties. We are currently forecasting we will achieve the cumulative target of 87,351 by end of March 2024.

Additional assurance of properties better protected data has been commissioned through Director of Operations for projects to report on all non-residential and those effected by climate change by 31 March 2024.

Properties protected

2023 to 2024 programme cumulative target = 87,351

Number of properties protected each quarter

Quarter	Total
Q1 2021 to 2022	7,198
Q2 2021 to 2022	10,679
Q3 2021 to 2022	17,162
Q4 2021 to 2022	32,908
Q1 2022 to 2023	33,223
Q2 2022 to 2023	35,878
Q3 2022 to 2023	39,324
Q4 2022 to 2023	59,351
Q1 2023 to 2024	61,228
Q2 2023 to 2024	67,734
Q3 2023 to 2024	71,563

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Managing construction inflationary cost pressures in line with central guidance provided.	All project executives and managers	31/03/2027
Implement results of the annual ‘refresh’ of the programme, with funding re-allocation decisions, and scrutinise the approach through the Delivery Portfolio board.	Programme Senior Responsible Officer	31/03/2024
Determine the consequences for the programme of a change in accounting for capital works expensed in year. A material amount of expenditure that has until now been classified as capital spend, is now classified as resource spend. Seek a reclassification of funding from capital to resource from HMT in the 2023 to 2024 supplementary estimate process.	Programme Senior Responsible Officer	31/03/2024
By agreement with Defra, undertake reset of capital programme considering the effects of inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic.	Programme Senior Responsible Officer	31/03/2024
Provide further support to other risk management authorities on their management of projects within the programme.	All project executives and managers	31/03/2024
Implement changes approved by the board to the Environment Agency’s assurance and approval process.	All project executives and managers	31/03/2024

2. We maintain our flood and coastal risk management assets at or above the target condition

Q3 Status	% Q3 Actual	% Q3 Target	Year end forecast	%Year end target
Amber	93.3%	94.5%	Amber	94.5%

Commentary

Our reported asset condition for quarter 3 is 93.3%, this is a reduction from 93.5% at the end of quarter 2. However, this figure does not include the full effect of the winter storms because assets are still being inspected. Asset condition has fallen as a consequence of 5 named storms to date and excessive river levels, so the full effect is not yet known.

We are developing a recovery programme to repair assets, along with contingency and winter readiness plans for below required condition assets in the short term. As a result of more assets below condition, there is an increased risk of asset failure and greater flood risk. Significant asset failure risk will remain throughout 2024 and possibly beyond.

Where assets are below their required condition this identifies that work is required. This does not mean assets have structurally failed or that performance in a flood is compromised.

Percentage of our flood and coastal risk management assets at or above the target condition

Quarter	% Actual (rounded)	% Target
Q1 2019 to 2020	97.2%	97.5%
Q2 2019 to 2020	96.9%	97.5%
Q3 2019 to 2020	96.2%	98%
Q4 2019 to 2020	96.1%	98%
Q1 2020 to 2021	95.8%	98%
Q2 2020 to 2021	95.2%	98%
Q3 2020 to 2021	95%	98%
Q4 2020 to 2021	94.5%	98%
Q1 2021 to 2022	94.3%	98%
Q2 2021 to 2022	95.4%	98%
Q3 2021 to 2022	not reported	98%
Q4 2021 to 2022	91.8%	98%
Q1 2022 to 2023	91.8%	98%
Q2 2022 to 2023	93.9%	98%
Q3 2022 to 2023	94%	98%
Q4 2022 to 2023	94.5%	98%
Q1 2023 to 2024	93.8%	94.5%
Q2 2023 to 2024	93.5%	94.5%
Q3 2023 to 2024	93.3%	94.5%

Number of high consequence assets passing

At or above required target condition (Environment Agency)	Below required target condition (Environment Agency)
35,349	2,529

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Identify assets below required condition and affected by the storms and include them in a national recovery programme.	Area Directors	31/01/2024
Ensuring mitigation measures are in place for below required condition (BRC) assets to manage risk pending repairs.	Area Directors	31/03/2024
Continue reducing the backlog of asset repair assessments.	Area Directors	31/06/2024

3. We deliver our climate impact plan and enabling UK net zero plan to tackle the climate emergency

Q3 Status	% Q3 Actual	% Q3 Target	Year end forecast	% Year end target
Green	91%	96%	Green	90%

Commentary

Reporting this quarter has concentrated on actions:

• previously flagged as not on track at the end of quarter 2
• now at risk of missing the quarter 4 milestone

At the end of quarter 3, 95% of our actions are now on track, compared with 82% of actions on track at the end of quarter 2. This means that we are now forecasting to meet our year end target of 90% of actions on track.

For adaptation, 14 actions missed their quarter 2 milestones. Of these, 13 actions are now on back on track to meet their quarter 4 milestones, with only one still behind, due to competing priorities.

Two actions that were on track in quarter 2 are now set to miss their quarter 4 targets. Work to embed adaptation within public and private investment decisions and through the Funding and Investment Plan has been re-planned. This will now be captured as part of the rewrite of the funding and investment plan, commissioned to commence in early 2024. This is to align the plan with the Environment Agency’s next corporate strategy.

Secondly, resources in one of the local teams has been diverted due to ongoing incident response and recovery. This has narrowed the geographical scope of our work in 2023 to 2024 to help others take action during incidents through:

• improved climate adaptation communication
• engagement

From the year 2 pilot of the Flood Action campaign. This postponement is under review.

For net zero, there were 3 actions that fell short of the quarter 2 deadline. Of these, 2 have made progress and are now on track in quarter 3. The action that is still not on track from quarter 2 into quarter 3 is our ‘decarbonisation ready’ work. This new duty requires operators of all power plants to demonstrate they have built in the capacity to decarbonise. We have made progress on all milestones, but delays in the drafting of new legislation have pushed this action into 2024 to 2025.

An additional action that was originally on track in quarter 2 has now slipped in quarter 3 because of delays in one milestone for the new nuclear programme. This is due to external uncertainties and delays over funding and plans for generic design assessments.

Quarter	% Actual	% Target
Q2 2022 to 2023	84%	90%
Q3 2022 to 2023	93%	90%
Q4 2022 to 2023	93%	90%
Q2 2023 to 2024	79%	96%
Q3 2023 to 2024	91%	96%

4. We have a first class incident response capability

Q3 status	% Q3 Actual	% Q3 Target	Year end forecast	%Year end target
Green	110%	96%	Green	96%

Commentary

This measure reports the number of staff undertaking incident activity over the previous 6 month period (i.e. utilisation) as a proportion of the number we require (i.e. planning assumptions). This is the third quarter of reporting on a new measure. However, the graph includes historical data from 2022 to 2023 to provide a trend analysis. This measure does not track all roles, only roles in the first response and command and control role categories.

In quarter 3, we are reporting a significant increase from 86% to 110% utilisation against planning assumption numbers. This has turned the measure from amber to green. As expected, there are fluctuations in the data from:

• one geographical area to another
• role to role

and other evidence supports this. Some areas remain in amber, but these areas have all seen an improvement since quarter 2.

The measure can exceed 100% as the planning assumption figures are a snapshot of current requirements. These can fluctuate over a period of time (for example at periods where double rostering is required). The surge in response activity during severe weather results in greater amounts of people being required to respond to incidents. If more individuals claim incident time over the last 6 month period than the planning assumption for that role, then the measure can exceed 100%.

In preparation for quarter 3 reporting, data improvement activities have been completed. This includes a review of time codes captured and a supply chain data issue that failed to update incident roles as staff joined or departed. Data quality continues to be investigated to improve confidence in the measure and understand incident role resilience.

Proportion of trained staff utilised in principal incident roles

Quarter	Percentage
Q1 2022 to 2023	82%
Q2 2022 to 2023	79%
Q3 2022 to 2023	83%
Q4 2022 to 2023	86%
Q1 2023 to 2024	84%
Q2 2023 to 2024	86%
Q3 2023 to 2024	110%

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Data quality continues to be investigated to improve confidence in the measure and understand incident role resilience.	Deputy Director Service Strategy and Investment	31/03/2024

5. Air quality is improving

5.1 A reduction of 4 out of 4 pollutants on the previous year: (Sulphur oxides, SOx; nitrogen oxides, NOx; fine particulate matter, PM2.5 and non methane volatile organic compounds, NMVOCs.

Q3 status	Q3 Actual	Q3 Target (tonnes)	Year end forecast	Year end target
Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Green	4 out of 4 pollutants showing a reduction

Commentary

The air quality measure for 2023 to 2024 reports emissions of 4 key pollutants:

• sulphur oxides, (SOx)
• nitrogen oxides, (NOx)
• fine particulate matter, (PM2.5)
• non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs)

From 4 main industry sectors:

• refineries
• large volume organic chemicals (LVOCs)
• metals (NFM and ferrous)
• large combustion plant (LCP)

A fifth key pollutant, ammonia, is not included as its emissions from the selected sectors are relatively small.

The 4 sectors have recently undergone permit reviews, so we therefore expect improvements in emissions related to these. We plan to add more sectors to the corporate scorecard measures as more permit reviews are completed in 2023 to 2024.

Data for the air quality measure is reported yearly, based on annual returns from the industries being monitored. For 2022 to 2023 the measure reported overall decreases in emissions of all 4 pollutants, for the sectors identified. In quarters one and two of 2023 to 2024 we predicted a continued decreasing trend, except for a potential small peak of NMVOCs due to an unexpected release from a refinery. For quarter 3 we expect the decreasing trend to continue for all pollutants, in particular due to the closure of the coke oven at a large steel plant in June 2023. This represents the biggest change in emissions we expect this year.

In the combustion, refineries and LVOC sectors, no significant changes during the past quarter have occurred that would affect the actual or projected emissions. The mild weather conditions during this past autumn may have reduced energy demand, hence the combustion sector could have experienced slight reductions in emissions. Overall, we therefore expect trends to continue as currently, namely, continued decreases in pollutant emissions. This would be with a potential for a small increase in NMVOC emissions, to be clarified once the size of the release is quantified.

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Review quantitative values of pollutant emissions for the 4 sectors, using pollution inventory data returns at the end of Q4.	Sector leads for the 4 key sectors reviewed	31/03/2024
Support the Pollution Inventory team in emissions data collection through winter and early spring 2023 to 2024.	Radioactive Substances and Installations Regulation (RSIR) Monitoring and Assessment team	31/03/2024

6. Our rivers and coasts have better water quality and are better places for wildlife

Q3 status	Q3 Actual (km)	Q3 Target (km)	Year end forecast	Year end target (km)
Red	1,218	2,035	Green	2,130

Commentary

In quarter 3, a further 252 km enhanced was reported. This means we have enhanced 1,218 km of the water environment so far this financial year. We are below the ambitious 2,035 km target set for this point in the year, due to a delay in reporting the Countryside Stewardship figures. These will now be reported in quarter 4. We are confident that we will meet the overall target for the year of 2,130 km enhanced once this information is reported.

Flood and coastal risk management activity accounted for 216 km of the 252km reported. Most of these works were to restore wildlife or improve access to existing habitat along the rivers. For example, we secured:

• 35 km of enhancements on the River Thames near Sunbury, Surrey where habitat was made available by installing an eel pass
• 7 km were improved for fish and eels through replacement of gates and operating equipment at Rammey Sluice in Waltham Abbey, Essex

The other 36 km of enhancements reported in quarter 3 were created by areas through regulatory activity (3 km) and other partnership projects (33km). Over 31 km of groundwater enhancements in Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire area from planting cover crops at farms near Lincoln. Cover crops increase organic matter in the soil, improving its structure and water holding capacity, preventing erosion, and reducing the need for fertilisers. Less chemical and soil erosion leads to improvements in water quality. 

We also reported some projects that have helped prevent deterioration. One example was through advising a customer on the usage of chestnut stakes and reconfiguration of rock weirs on the River Tone near Taunton to mitigate scour and bank instability issues. The initial proposals were to install rock armour, which would have infilled part of the weir pool.

Kilometres of rivers, lakes and coastal waters enhanced this year

Quarter	Actual km	Target km
Q1 2020 to 2021	31	100
Q2 2020 to 2021	4,193	1,509
Q3 2020 to 2021	4,230	3,445
Q4 2020 to 2021	4,551	3,900
Q1 2021 to 2022	822	883
Q2 2021 to 2022	1,245	1,272
Q3 2021 to 2022	1,347	1,650
Q4 2021 to 2022	1,528	1,650
Q1 2022 to 2023	1,475	1,300
Q2 2022 to 2023	1,548	1,548
Q3 2022 to 2023	1,602	1,984
Q4 2022 to 2023	2,300	2,058
Q1 2023 to 2024	809	1,380
Q2 2023 to 2024	966	1,472
Q3 2023 to 2024	1,218	2,035

Insight cumulative totals

Quarter	Actual km	Target km
Q2 2020 to 2021	10,967	8,000
Q3 2020 to 2021	11,004	8,000
Q4 2020 to 2021	11,292	8,000
Q1 2021 to 2022	12,167	8,000
Q2 2021 to 2022	12,590	8,000
Q3 2021 to 2022	12,799	8,000
Q4 2021 to 2022	12,980	8,000
Q1 2022 to 2023	14,445	9,300
Q2 2022 to 2023	14,518	9,300
Q3 2022 to 2023	14,572	9,300
Q4 2022 to 2023	15,271	10,058
Q1 2023 to 2024	16,079	12,188
Q2 2023 to 2024	16,087	15,597
Q3 2023 to 2024	16,338	16,160

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Countryside Stewardship data reported too late to include in quarter 3. The performance measure lead will report the figures in quarter 4 following completion of area quality assurance.	Performance measure lead	31/03/2024

7. We increase biodiversity and promote an environmental net gain by creating more and better habitats for the benefit of people and wildlife

Q3 status	Q3 Actual	Q3 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Red	1,350 hectares (ha)

Commentary

Current predictions from area teams indicate them being able to create or restore between 450 and 800 hectares of priority habitat types. The difference between target and the expected outcome is due to several factors including:

• the absence of the FCRM operational framework
• relatively fewer large capital schemes planning outcomes this year
• delays to environment programme project budgets
• fewer fisheries, biodiversity and geomorphology staff resource to develop and support project
• increased costs of materials and service

Despite these challenges, areas have exceeded the original minimum outcome value. If cold dry weather persists over winter, this may also allow projects like Moors for Future to create large areas of restoration.

Year	Hectares created	Target
2020 to 2021	1,897	1,200
2021 to 2022	1,111	620
2022 to 2023	823	660

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
One team approach with shared ownership of this target in operations and FCRM directorate.	Deputy Director Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment (AF&NE)	31/03/2024
Move in 2024 to 2025 to biannual internal programme reporting to improve confidence in data and forecasts.	National Biodiversity Senior Advisor	31/03/2024
Increased partnership working to develop innovative funding to increase number of hectares.	Area Environment Managers	31/03/2024

8. We protect people and the environment through effective regulation

Q3 status	Q3 Actual	Q3 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Green	97%

Commentary

We are committed to being a trusted and respected regulator. Measuring compliance with environmental permits provides an indication of our effectiveness as a regulator. It shows how well the environment and our communities are protected from pollution caused by regulated sites. A site is considered compliant if assessed within the top 3 compliance bands (A to C). This is in line with published Environment Agency guidance on assessing and scoring permit compliance. Of the waste and installations permitted sites assessed in 2023, 97.6% were compliant. These sites include a range of sectors, for example:

• chemicals
• combustion
• metals
• biowaste
• intensive farming
• incineration

To enable compliance, we work in an open and transparent way with those we regulate so they understand what’s expected of them. We are investing in training, digital systems and technology so that:

• our staff have the tools they need
• it’s easier for businesses to deal with us
• it’s easier for the public to find out about their environment

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q4 2022 to 2023	97.6%	97%

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Implement the coordinated plan for regulation to improve our regulatory outcomes.	Deputy Director Regulatory Resilience	31/03/2025
As part of the Strength in Place programme – continue with the development of a new operating model to improve support for Local Operations teams.	Executive Director Local Operations	31/03/2024

9. We reduce the number of serious environmental incidents from permitted sites and activities and sources we regulate directly

Q3 status	Q3 Actual	Q3 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	130	150	Green	150

Commentary

This serious environmental incidents KPI (key performance indicator) sets a ceiling target for incidents from permitted sites and activities. The KPI concentrates on activities where we directly regulate through permit and regulatory compliance. This KPI also keeps a watch on incident numbers from unpermitted sources or where the source is unknown. This is to obtain a total number of serious incidents that we respond to on a rolling basis.

The number of serious environmental incidents from permitted sources is steady at between 125 and 160 incidents per year. We are working to reduce incident numbers, especially from permitted sites and activities. Action from our interventions can take time, so short term reductions in incident numbers may not be seen immediately.

Metals recycling

There were 28 incidents in the last 12 months. There were 6 incidents at one site. The area team have informed the operator that they may revoke the permit unless the site provides mitigation measures. Appropriate measure guidance has been published and will review all permits across the sector.

Water companies

We expect water companies to achieve a more sustained reduction in serious pollution incident numbers trending towards zero. Technology and permit requirements regarding telemetry are advancing. This means previous unidentified issues and incidents are now being identified and addressed, which may conflict with this trajectory. Our actions include:

• Water Industry Transformation programme - additional training, better technology and telemetry, data analysis and embedding of intelligence led approach and increased inspections
• pollution incident reduction plans (PIRPs) - we have targeted serious incidents within the PIRPs to show where water companies need to improve and where they should invest

Non-Haz waste treatment

There were 16 incidents in the last 12 months. Amenity issues (odour, noise and dust) are the main causes. The aim is to resolve issues via:

• guidance and a regulatory position statement
• engaging with industry
• reviewing management systems
• sampling and acceptance procedure audits

A permit review is taking place starting quarter one 2024.

Food and drink

There were 11 food and drink serious incidents in the last 12 months. One is a water quality discharge consent and is not considered further here. Amenity issues (noise and odour) continue to be the main causes of serious incidents. They have been the issue for 9 incidents. Our aim is to resolve recurring issues which can take a long time. One site with a recurring noise issue has completed noise mitigation measures, we will assess the effectiveness of this. The source of odour at another site has been identified and remedial works have been proposed. A permit variation at one site is being used to address a water pollution issue.

Biowaste treatment

Of the 10 incidents, one site causes more than any other. Work is ongoing to influence local compliance work. Most incidents relate to odour complaints.

Agriculture

Only about 3% of farm businesses are permitted. There have been 2 incidents from permitted sites, both slurry tank issues. One causing land pollution and one water pollution. The agriculture sector has a problem with pollution risk control and management, usually in relation to slurry management and handling.

Landfill

We expected a stabilisation in the numbers of serious incidents. Of the 18 serious incidents, all but one of these are a category 2. The aim is to prioritise:

• proactive regulation
• compliance with permit conditions
• waste acceptance procedures
• management plans

Also, to deal with illegal disposal and misdescription of waste. It is likely that the increased rainfall over the last weeks and months will lead to more reports of odour at sites.

Other permitted

Includes all Environment Agency permitted sites not specifically highlighted, for example:

• service sector
• domestic and residential
• illegal waste management and more

Each sector individually has caused low incident numbers in recent years.

This KPI also tracks the incident numbers from unpermitted sources or where the source is unknown, to obtain a total number of serious incidents. The total number of serious incidents information is tracked in the report for people environment and growth.

Unpermitted incidents significantly outnumber those from a permitted source. In the 12 months to end December 2023 there were 484 (79%) incidents from an unpermitted source. This is a slight increase from last quarter, compared to 130 (21%) from permitted sites and activities. Incidents from unpermitted sources effect the water environment significantly more than other media. The majority of the non permitted agriculture incidents are linked to dairy farms, either slurry storage issues or field run off due to poor spreading practises.

We have significantly increased our agriculture regulatory workforce with a considerable increase in farm inspections. We expect to help improve farm infrastructure, but this will take time to implement and influence incident figures. There have been 54 incidents from illegal waste sites in the last 12 months with prosecution recommended in 26 instances.

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q1 2023 to 2024	133	150
Q2 2023 to 2024	127	150
Q3 2023 to 2024	130	150

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
BAT requirements are being brought into sector guidance and are being shared with businesses. Or will be reviewed starting this year. New BAT standards mean prioritising reviews of industry permits. This will bring higher standards and can work to proactively manage a whole sector to reduce the risk of incidents happening.	Sector leads for metals recycling and food and drink	Depends on sector guidance is published, review starting this year
Administer the Water Industry Transformation programme to significantly expand and improve the way we regulate. We have additional dedicated officers and are using an intelligence led approach.	Water company sector lead	Multi-year programme
In December 2023 we required the water industry sector trade body (Water UK) National Pollutions Group and all member companies to report on the effectiveness of pollution incident reduction plan (PIRP) interventions. The Environment Agency will use this information to undertake a regulatory review, ahead of annual performance meetings in 2024. This is to provide an improved understanding of action being taken at a company and sector level, following increased scrutiny on pollution incident numbers.	Water company sector lead	Submission due 15/03/2024
Implement the environment incident management review and the regulatory improvement plan which will also contribute to reduction across sectors.
Incident Management and Resilience (IM&R) / Environment and Business, Business Board (E&B BB).	Multi-year programme

10. We successfully influence planning decisions by local planning authorities

Q3 status	% Q3 Actual	% Q3 Target	Year end forecast	% Year end target
Green	97.3%	97%	Green	97%

Commentary

The year to date performance is 97.3% against a target of 97%. Performance in quarter 3 was 98% and green, improving on the 97% achieved in quarters 1 and 2. There were 24 planning decisions that weren’t in line with our advice. There were 18 where we had raised objection and 6 where conditions we had requested weren’t included in the final decision:

• 3 objections related to the use of non-mains foul drainage
• 1 objection was made on biodiversity grounds

The remaining objections were made on flood risk grounds. Of the 20 flood risk objections:

• 14 were due to the failure of the applicant to either provide a flood risk assessment (FRA) at all
• the FRA submitted, didn’t fully demonstrate the development was safe from flooding and wouldn’t increase flood risk elsewhere

There was one application approved despite us objecting on the grounds of unacceptable risk to life and/or property. Fortunately, all these developments were minor in nature and if implemented would only result in 16 new dwellings at risk from flooding. The conditions requested, but not included in the final planning decision related to land contamination and water efficiency issues.

Most planning decisions are made in line with our advice. Where we do have to raise an objection, we work with developers and the local planning authorities to try and resolve issues. Of the decisions recorded in quarter 3, there were 203 planning applications where we had initially raised objections. By engaging with developers, we resolved our concerns, thereby facilitating the creation of 9,954 new residential units, if all planning permissions are implemented. These residential developments, if built, would help contribute over £1.6 billion to the UK economic output. While we are one of several consultees who provide planning advice, this appears to represent an excellent return on the Environment Agency’s £2.4 million quarterly spend on this vital work.

Percentage of decision notices where Local Planning Authorities have accepted our representations

Quarter	Total
Q4 2020 to 2021	97.8%
Q1 2021 to 2022	98%
Q2 2021 to 2022	98.6%
Q3 2021 to 2022	98.7%
Q4 2021 to 2022	98.2%
Q1 2022 to 2023	93.9%
Q2 2022 to 2023	95.4%
Q3 2022 to 2023	96.2%
Q4 2022 to 2023	96.5%
Q1 2023 to 2024	97%
Q2 2023 to 2024	97%
Q3 2023 to 2024	97%

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Seek to maintain resource levels and necessary ongoing training in the Area Sustainable Places teams.	Area Sustainable Places teams	Ongoing

11. We reduce the number of high risk illegal waste sites

Q3 status	Q3 Actual	Q3 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	134	154	Green	151

Commentary

The Environment Agency stopped 34 high risk illegal waste sites during quarter 3, reducing the total number of active sites to 134. This is below the ceiling target of 154 and brings performance back into green status. We remain on track to meet the year-end target.

The actions taken to reduce the number of these sites have concentrated on stopping the sites which pose the greatest threat, risk and harm to the environment and our communities. Officers recruited to our Enforcement teams during 2023 will support the aim to eliminate waste crime by 2042 by continuing to reduce high risk sites.

Work will continue to identify and target illegal waste sites that present a risk of significant harm.

Number of active high risk illegal waste sites

Quarter	Total	Ceiling target
Baseline 19/20	233	233
Q1 2020 to 2021	250	233
Q2 2020 to 2021	237	227
Q3 2020 to 2021	218	222
Q4 2020 to 2021	206	216
Q1 2021 to 2022	201	216
Q2 2021 to 2022	208	211
Q3 2021 to 2022	201	205
Q4 2021 to 2022	194	200
Q1 2022 to 2023	188	195
Q2 2022 to 2023	180	190
Q3 2022 to 2023	190	185
Q4 2022 to 2023	175	180
Q1 2023 to 2024	167	164
Q2 2023 to 2024	167	161
Q3 2023 to 2024	134	154

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Continue with the agreed ‘plan to green’. This involves field work to confirm whether sites remain high risk and closing high risk sites that we know about. Bring in newly reported sites if they are having a serious or significant effect on the environment.	Deputy Director	31/03/2024

12. A net zero organisation by 2030 (total carbon)

Q3 status	Q3 Actual (tonnes)	Ceiling target (tonnes)	Year end forecast	Year end target (tonnes)
Green	171,387	212,029	Green	282,916

Commentary

In quarter 3 2023 to 2024 our reported figures show that the Environment Agency is within its carbon budget this quarter, at 81%. Due to continuing issues with the construction carbon data collection process and delays in construction project start dates, there is likely to be a significant increase in carbon budget spend when:

• re-scheduled projects commence
• when projects report using actual (rather than modelled) data

As this additional data is not likely to be reported until the next financial year, it is now predicted that we will be under budget. We therefore expect to remain green in our year end 2023 to 2024 forecast.

Construction

As outlined above, a number of project start dates have altered, so the linked estimated emissions have been moved back into next financial year. In addition to rescheduled construction project start dates, construction carbon emissions are currently based on estimates. This is being addressed by the actual cost and carbon data project (ACCD), run by the Major Programme and Project Delivery team in Operations. In terms of positive development in quarter 3, the Environment Agency’s decarbonisation technology accelerator (DTA) programme has now commenced. This will accelerate carbon reduction technology into our approach. We have also further tightened our minimum technical requirements on low carbon concrete, which will reduce emissions further.

Fleet

As noted in the quarter 2 scorecard report, EDT have now approved a baseline change request to accommodate our improved data gathering for fleet. However, we are still over budget for the cars category this quarter, primarily due to an increase in hire miles over the last 3 months. This increase is likely due to increased incident response across autumn and into winter. In addition to this change, staff are also travelling more than they have in the last few years (e.g. since the pandemic). There are specific increases in:

• badged vehicles (an increase in quarter 3 of 7% in mileage, compared to quarter 2 of this year)
• lease/casual mileage (an increase in quarter 3 of 4% in mileage, compared to quarter 3 of last year)

Commuting and Travel

The commuting survey will be completed by the end of January 2024. It will give us an indication of whether our commuting and homeworking preferences have changed over the past year. At present the Sustainable Business and Fleet teams are working with an organisation that specialises in supporting companies to reduce their commuting effects. Recommendations from this work will be available in quarter 4, as part of year end reporting.

Pumping

As expected, pumping has increased this quarter. This is due to expected seasonal trends with more pumping in autumn and winter months, due to the higher rainfall at this time of year. We are still within budget. However, there has been a 71% increase in operational asset use (i.e. use of our pumps) this quarter compared to quarter 3 of last year. For example, Yorkshire area saw a 300% increase and East Midlands a 285% increase, compared to quarter 3 2022 to 2023.

Other indirect

We are over budget again this quarter, in this category, due to an increase in:

• train travel
• air travel
• hotel use

compared to quarter 2. This is aligned with a trend showing an increase in staff travel, including rail transport. Although air travel is now 12% higher than 2022 to 2023. It is still at 25% of the air travel which we were seeing in the peak, pre-pandemic years of 2017 to 2018.

Carbon Literacy

In this quarter we have moved close to achieving platinum certification for the Environment Agency. We have ensured that 80% of staff are accredited and engaging in proactive carbon literacy activities, networking and advocacy with other organisations. Certification from the Carbon Literacy Trust has now been obtained by 7,200 learners. We continue to assist individuals with the certification application process, as some of those who have completed the necessary training have yet to apply for certification.

Quarterly Carbon dioxide equivalents emissions

Quarter	Total (tonnes)
Q1 2019 to 2020	8,529
Q2 2019 to 2020	14,019
Q3 2019 to 2020	22,297
Q4 2019 to 2020	31,217
Q1 2020 to 2021	5,078
Q2 2020 to 2021	4,243
Q3 2020 to 2021	4,748
Q4 2020 to 2021	5,558
Q1 2021 to 2022	5,558
Q2 2021 to 2022	4,082
Q3 2021 to 2022	14,724
Q4 2021 to 2022	20,485
Q1 2022 to 2023	53,901
Q2 2022 to 2023	121,056
Q3 2022 to 2023	181,032
Q4 2022 to 2023	295,832
Q1 2023 to 2024	100,031
Q2 2023 to 2024	139,658
Q3 2023 to 2024	171,387

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Reporting - construction carbon data needs to be based on actual (rather than modelled) data in the future. The ACCD project will enable this to happen.	Director of Operations, Director of Portfolio Management and Assurance	31/03/2024
Travel - continue to follow our existing corporate travel hierarchy. Line managers need to explore any significant anomalies with their direct reports.	executive directors, directors and deputy directors.	31/03/2024

13. We manage our money effectively to deliver our outcomes

Q3 status	Q3 Actual - £million	Q3 Budget - £million	Year end forecast	Year end target
Red	£1,283m	£1,353m	Green	100%

Commentary

The measure is used to report on effective management of our money to achieve our outcomes. It is based on the percentage of our full year funding that we have invested.

The Environment Agency has a major capital and resource programme of investment projects and conducts a detailed planning process to ensure appropriate prioritisation of investments. We are subject to a series of strong financial and governance controls. These controls both protect this investment and provide a logistical challenge in managing the programme of expenditure. This is considered an appropriate measure, with expenditure being connected to achieving our environmental outcomes. This measure is therefore inextricably linked to most of the other scorecard measures.

The Environment Agency has invested £1,283 million (65% of budget) in the first 3 quarters of 2023 to 2024. This is a higher level of spend compared to the amount invested at this point last year. The 95% quarter 3 position shows an improvement on quarter 2. This is in alignment with the planned year to date budget as spend has accelerated on project programmes.

The flood capital programme has requested a reprofile of £100 million into later years of the programme as part of the programme reset. This will bring our capital forecast in line with budget for the remainder of this financial year.

Resource spend remains pressured and Finance are continuing to support directors and budget holders in evaluating the latest forecast position to be managed and controlled over the remainder of the year. Actions agreed in November and January have reduced the forecast risk to within budget tolerances.

This position is subject to a £182 million capital to resource budget switch from HM Treasury, which has now been approved and will be reflected in the management accounts.

Cumulative expenditure against YTD budget (%)

Quarter	Total
Q1 2020 to 2021	103%
Q2 2020 to 2021	93%
Q3 2020 to 2021	96%
Q4 2020 to 2021	96%
Q1 2021 to 2022	98%
Q2 2021 to 2022	95%
Q3 2021 to 2022	97%
Q4 2021 to 2022	100%
Q1 2022 to 2023	94%
Q2 2022 to 2023	94%
Q3 2022 to 2023	95%
Q4 2022 to 2023	100%
Q1 2023 to 2024	93%
Q2 2023 to 2024	91%
Q3 2023 to 2024	95%

Cumulative expenditure against YTD budget (£million)

Quarter	Planned profiled cumulative expenditure (£million)	Actual cumulative expenditure (£million)
Q4 2019 to 2020	£1,305	£1,303
Q1 2020 to 2021	£304	£313
Q2 2020 to 2021	£707	£654
Q3 2020 to 2021	£1,117	£1,073
Q4 2020 to 2021	1,630	1,563
Q1 2021 to 2022	£321	£316
Q2 2021 to 2022	£750	£716
Q3 2021 to 2022	£1,182	£1,143
Q4 2021 to 2022	£1,635	£1,640
Q1 2022 to 2023	£348	£326
Q2 2022 to 2023	£746	£792
Q3 2022 to 2023	£1,262	£1,204
Q4 2022 to 2023	£1,755	£1,747
Q1 2023 to 2024	£338	£364
Q2 2023 to 2024	£848	£772
Q3 2023 to 2024	£1,353	£1,283

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Ongoing control and management of the forecast financial position.	Executive Directors team supported by Finance.	31/03/2024

14. We have a diverse workforce

The proportion of our staff who are from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background (B.A.M.E %)

Q3 status	Q3 Actual	Q3 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Reports at Q2 and Q4	Reports at Q2 and Q4	Reports at Q2 and Q4	Reports at Q2 and Q4	18%

B.A.M.E staff as % of all staff

2023 to 2024 target = 18%

Quarter	Total
Q4 2022 to 2023	5.3 %
Q2 2023 to 2024	5.7%

The proportion of our executive managers who are female

Q3 status	Q3 Actual	Q3 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Reports at Q2 and Q4	Reports at Q2 and Q4	Reports at Q2 and Q4	Reports at Q2 and Q4	50%

Proportion of executive managers (EMs) who are female %

2023 to 2024 target = 50%

Quarter	Total
Q4 2022 to 2023	48%
Q2 2023 to 2024	47.2%

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Review of corporate scorecard measures - creating internal in year targets for national and local teams.	Chief Operating Officer	31/03/2024
Pay gap reporting.	Chief Operating Officer	20/03/2024
EDI and race dashboard completion and wider roll out.	Chief Operating Officer	31/03/2024

15. We have the lowest possible lost time incident (LTI) frequency rate

Q3 status	Q3 Actual	Q3 Ceiling rate	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	0.10	0.11	Green	0.11

Commentary

The LTI frequency rate continues to be within the target range. We continue to monitor and review every lost time injury and to act if we identify lessons for the business. We will act swiftly on new incidents to share early lessons with the business to raise awareness.

Lost time incident frequency rate

12 month rolling average

Quarter	Number
January 2022	0.07
February 2022	0.06
March 2022	0.05
April 2022	0.05
May 2022	0.04
June 2022	0.05
July 2022	0.05
August 2022	0.05
September 2022	0.06
October 2022	0.06
November 2022	0.08
December 2022	0.08
January 2023	0.10
February 2023	0.10
March 2023	0.10
April 2023	0.09
May 2023	0.10
June 2023	0.09
July 2023	0.10
August 2023	0.10
September 2023	0.11
October 2023	0.10
November 2023	0.10
December 2023	0.10

Number of LTIs

Quarter	Number
Q1 2022 to 2023	4
Q2 2022 to 2023	3
Q3 2022 to 2023	8
Q4 2022 to 2023	6
Q1 2023 to 2024	3
Q2 2023 to 2024	7
Q3 2023 to 2024	6