Corporate report

Environment Agency corporate scorecard 2023 to 2024 - quarter two

Updated 15 August 2024

Applies to England

The corporate scorecard 2023 to 2024 quarter two (Q2) starts 1 July 2023 and ends 30 September 2023. The year end is 31 March 2024.

These tables show the red, amber and green scores for the 15 measures, plus the actual and target figures.

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

Q2 Status	Q2 Actual	Cumulative target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	67,734	64,000	Green	87,351

Commentary

During quarter 2 of 2023 to 2024, there were 6,506 properties better protected from flooding and coastal erosion by 17 schemes including:

• Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point Beach Management (Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire Area): 2,904 properties
• Wyre Beach Management Schemes (Cumbria and Lancashire Area): 1,760 properties
• Pierrepoint Pumping Station (East Anglia Area): 631 properties

This takes the cumulative total since April 2021 to 67,734 properties. We are currently forecasting we will achieve the cumulative target of 87,351 by end of March 2024.

Properties protected

2023 to 2024 programme cumulative target = 87,351

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

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

Q2 Status	Q2 Actual	Q2 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Amber	93.5%	94.5%	Amber	94.5%

Commentary

Our reported asset condition for quarter 2 is 93.5%, a reduction from 93.8% at the end of quarter one. An increasing number of below required condition assets have been identified from our asset inspections. We have seen higher failure rates so far this year, an average of around 3% of asset inspections. This has led to a below required condition assessment compared to 2.5% at the end of last year. We are therefore detecting below required condition assets at a greater rate than we are repairing assets.

Asset condition is directly related to maintenance funding, with an extra £25 million in the current financial year. This was agreed by the Secretary of State (via a capital to resource switch) which offsets the effect of inflation in our programme. We should be able to reach our interim target of between 94% to 95% at year end. The current level of maintenance funding is not enough to restore asset condition to our 98% target. For this reason, it has been agreed we will adjust the target to 94.5% for this year.

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.

We have prioritised the maintenance and repair of the highest risk assets. Where needed, we have risk mitigation measures and contingency plans in place to manage risk until any necessary repairs and maintenance are complete.

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		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%

Number of high consequence assets passing

At or above required target condition (Environment Agency)	Below required target condition (Environment Agency)
34,738	2,399

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Make achievable plans to invest £25 million more than initially funded maintenance, following a funding switch from capital to resource to that end agreed with Defra and HMT.	Area Directors	31/03/2024
Ensuring mitigation measures are in place for below required condition (BRC) assets to manage risk pending repairs.	Deputy Director, Local Operations	31/03/2024
Reducing the backlog of asset repair assessments.	Deputy Director, Local Operations	31/03/2024

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

Q2 Status	Q2 Actual	Q2 Target	Year end forecast	Year-end target
Amber	79	96	Amber	90%

Commentary

The quarter 2 status is amber with 82% of actions on track, this is broken down into:

• 57 of 71 adaptation actions on track (80%, amber)
• 22 of 25 net zero actions on track (88%, amber)

For adaptation, this is a significant drop on the 96% of actions on track at quarter 4 last year. The number of actions has increased from 48 to 71. Delays have mostly been due to reprioritisation or cross-functional working taking longer than anticipated. All but 2 actions not on track have still reported good progress, with the remaining 2 set to begin in quarter 3.

Of the 3 actions not on track for net zero, these are due either to late confirmation of funds from Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) or recruitment delays. All are projected to be on track by quarter 3.

Highlights for adaptation include:

• the Regulated Industry directorate publishing adaptation training for regulatory officers on the learning zone - this is to help achieve our ambition that all those we regulate are better prepared for a rapidly changing climate

• the Water, Land and Biodiversity directorate hosting a restoring meadow, marsh and reef conference with the aim of:

  • developing a shared vision of future environments in a changing climate
  • to drive collective action across Government bodies, eNGOs (environmental non-governmental organisations) industry and academics

Net zero highlights include:

• we created a proof of concept digital twin model to look at cumulative effects of an industrial cluster on the water environment - this provides an important foundation to demonstrate how innovation can be used to identify environmental risk and inform strategic and regulatory decision making
• we are in the process of disseminating the project results and the report will be published to Gov.UK
• we are working with Defra and DESNZ to raise the profile of our work on net zero and the need for additional capacity/capability

Each adaptation action on track represents advancement made on reducing our climate risks identified in our third adaptation report. With 80% of adaptation actions on track, we are making good progress, but still have further to go.

Each net zero action contributes to and enables the success of the UK’s net zero growth plan (March 2023).

Quarter	% Actual	% Target
Q4 2019 to 2021	76	90
Q2 2020 to 2021	70	90
Q4 2020 to 2021	72	90
Q4 2021 to 2022	78	90
Q2 2022 to 2023	84	90
Q3 2022 to 2023	93	90
Q4 2022 to 2023	93	90
Q2 2023 to 2024	79	96

4. We have a first class incident response capability

Q2 status	Q2 Actual	Q2 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Amber	86%	96%	Amber	96%

Commentary

This measure reports the number of staff undertaking incident activity over the previous 6 month period, as a proportion of the number we needed. This is the second quarter of reporting on a new metric. However, the graph includes historical data from 2022 to 2023 to provide a trend analysis. In quarter 2 we are reporting a small increase from 84% to 86% of roles filled in our rosters. This is explained by a reduction in numbers needed for incident duty over the summer period.

Quarter 2 results continues to suggest we are falling short of filling all the principal roles required in our incident management service planning. There are fluctuations in the data from one geographical area to another, from role to role and other evidence supports this. We are also aware of potentially significant gaps in the data of the number of people undertaking incident activity. We are taking steps to amend internal process and practice around time recording to attempt to improve this position. If successful, this missing data is considered likely to move the metric closer to the 96% target.

We continue to ensure all staff on incident rosters can work flexibly and feel supported and confident to volunteer, particularly during escalated response periods. All new recruits are contractually obliged to perform incident management as part of their role.

We continue to ensure coverage of critical roles and essential services during industrial action. Industrial action is unlikely to have affected this specific metric, so its effect on our staff and service is hidden. Industrial action has influenced our workforce and areas and volunteers have had to surge, and assume additional risk, to mitigate effects on incident management.

Proportion of trained staff utilised in principal incident roles

Quarter	Number
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%

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Continuing investigation and exploration of solutions into internal process and practice around time recording to determine how we can reduce gaps in utilisation data.	Deputy Director Service Strategy and Investment	Q3 2023 to 2024

5. Air quality is improving

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

Q2 status	Q2 Actual	Q2 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 quarter one of 2023 to 2024 we predicted a continued decreasing trend. To date, the most significant changes reported during quarter 2 2023 to 2024 are:

• the closure of the coke oven at a large steel plant in June 2023 - this is expected to result in significant reductions in NOx, SOx, PM2.5 and NMVOCs for the metals sector during the second half of 2023 to 2024
• a very large flammable release of NMVOCs at a refinery, which may result in an overall annual increase for the sector

In addition, 2 of the 3 remaining coal power stations in England (large combustion plants) have now closed permanently. This has led to further reduction in emissions of all 4 key pollutants. We have not been aware of any major change in activities within the other industry sector considered - Large Volume Organic Chemicals. Overall, we expect trends to continue such as continued decreases in pollutant emissions, with a potential for a small increase in NMVOC emissions.

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Continue qualitative monitoring of sectors to project or estimate any end of year changes in emissions.	Sector leads for the 4 key sectors reviewed	Q3 2023 to 2024
Support the Pollution Inventory team in emissions data collection through winter 2023 to 2024.	Radioactive Substances and Installations Regulation (RSIR) Monitoring and Assessment team	Q3 2023 2024

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

Q2 status	Q2 Actual (km)	Q2 Target (km)	Year end forecast	Year end target (km)
Red	966	1,472	Amber	2,130

Commentary

In quarter 2, a further 157 km enhanced was reported. This means that we have achieved 966 km of enhancements to our waterbodies so far this year. We are now at 66% of our quarter 2 target. We are slightly below the target that was assigned for the quarter (which was 1472 km). Part of this is due to a delay in reporting the FCRM km enhanced figures that were included within the quarter 2 target. These will now be reported in quarter 3, along with the countryside stewardship data.

We reported one of the Water Industry Natural Environment Programme (WINEP) schemes in quarter 2 which enabled:

• 131 km of enhancements due to eel screens on the River Welland within Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire area
• the other 26 km of enhancements were provided by the areas through regulatory activity
• poor quality discharge from a private sewage treatment plant into a tributary of the River Uck, near Uckfield, East Sussex - led to 4.5 km of enhancements (the site had breached its discharge permit 19 times since 2011 on ammonia levels) significant work was done to bring the treatment plant into compliance

• within Solent and South Downs area approximately 10 properties were misconnected into the surface water drainage system - this led to ongoing pollution and water quality issues within a series of streams leading to the Eastern Yar on the Isle of Wight:

  • one misconnection consisted of a cesspit discharging into the surface water drainage
  • working with local partners to issue notices to remove misconnections and correct issues within the drainage of the properties has enhanced 2.7 km of river

• a further 41 km were protected from deterioration - this includes 4 km of the Corton Denham Stream, near Sherbourne in Dorset:

  • we intervened where an applicant was scoping the feasibility of a phosphate stripping wetland
  • the proposal constituted a wetland that was engineered and overly large for the size of the watercourse
  • advice was provided on a more appropriate natural design that would have fewer maintenance obligations and hydromorphic risks

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

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

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Report the Q2 FCRM data in Q3.	KM enhanced lead, Strategic Environment Planning (SEP ) Advisor	08/01/2024
Actively promote the KPI as much as possible within areas and provide training to increase knowledge and awareness of the KPI to hopefully increase reporting.	KM enhanced lead - SEP Advisor	08/01/2024

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

Q2 status	Q2 Actual	Q2 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Red	1,350 hectares (ha)

Commentary

Area team progress information has mixed results:

• 5 areas indicate they can create 560 ha in total
• 4 areas are amber - which may result in about 200 ha and 5 are red indicating minimal progress
• several partner led landscape scale schemes are currently in their early stages of provision including peat schemes

Further detail will emerge in quarter 3 around the component of habitat creation and restoration that we are allowed to claim from these. Overall, the current prediction is about 760 ha, which is 56% of the target. However, at this stage there are a number of variables, which is common at quarter 2.

Quarter	Hectares created	Target
2018 to 2019	460	410
2019 to 2020	3,147	1,280
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
Increased liaison and predictions from partner led schemes, such as peat.	National Biodiversity Senior Advisor	31/12/2023
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

Q2 status	Q2 Actual	Q2 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Green	97%

Commentary

We are dedicated to being a trusted and respected regulator. Measuring permit compliance provides an indication of our effectiveness as a regulator. It also shows how well the environment and our communities are protected from pollution caused by regulated sites.

In 2022 we assessed 97% of waste and installation permitted sites to be in the top 3 compliance bands using GOV UK compliance rating guidance. These sites include a range of sectors:

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

We continue to ensure greater compliance whilst further developing our ability to regulate remotely, reducing our carbon footprint and achieving our target to be a net zero organisation.

We will increase our regulatory compliance activities in line with risk and funding. We make full use of our resources and legal powers to deal with the issues citizens care about, such as:

• stopping waste crime
• water pollution
• Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH)

We work in an open and transparent way with those we regulate, so they understand what’s expected of them. We help them embrace eco-design, circular economy and implement innovative technologies. Permits are reviewed according to statutory guidelines to ensure they are up to date with the latest legislation and standards. Our regulation ensures businesses take responsibility for their effect on the environment and communities.

Across almost all regimes and parts of the business that deal with regulation there are challenges with:

• recruitment
• retention
• training and development

We have recruited 230 new officers and are completing a programme to improve skills through our technical development framework.

We are investing in 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 2 year coordinated plan for regulation to improve our regulatory outcomes.	Deputy Director Regulatory Resilience	31/03/2025
As part of the Strength in Place programme – progress 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

Q2 status	Q2 Actual	Q2 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	127	150	Amber	150

Commentary

This serious environmental incidents KPI sets a ceiling target for incidents from permitted sites and activities and the directly regulated, also observing incidents from remaining sources. We concentrate on activities we receive funding to do permit and regulatory compliance. The revised KPI was introduced in quarter one 2023 to 2024.

Overall the number of serious environmental incidents from permitted sources is steady at between 125 and 160 incidents per year. The other permitted sectors include incidents from:

• the service sector
• biowaste use
• domestic and residential
• transport
• illegal waste management
• natural sources
• unidentified sources

Each of these sectors individually have caused low numbers of incidents in recent years.

9.1 Metals recycling

There were 25 category 2 incidents attributed to 6 sites within 3 areas in the last 12 months. Of these:

• 22 incidents in one area relate to noise from 3 sites - one of these sites has ceased operating and has gone into receivership
• 1 incident was a fire caused by a small domestic appliance in the incoming waste stream - the sites fire prevention plan has been reviewed to prevent reoccurrence

Measures guidance for Metal Shredding and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) treatment incorporating Best Available Techniques (BAT) requirements from the Waste Treatment BREF (BAT reference document) have been published. We are writing guidance to reduce risks of fires, especially at lithium-ion battery processing operations.

Water companies

We expect water companies to achieve a more sustained reduction in serious pollution incident numbers trending towards zero. We are taking action because we’re concerned about unacceptably high and erratic numbers in recent years. This includes:

• Water Industry Transformation programme - a significant expansion and improvement in how we regulate with additional dedicated officers using an intelligence led approach
• prosecutions - between 2015 and 2023 (to 4 July) we prosecuted 59 water companies - securing fines of over £150 million
• environment performance assessment - an annual performance process for water companies
• targeting serious incidents by tracking water company pollution incident reduction plans (PIRPs) and using evidence from event duration monitors (EDM) of storm overflows

Non-Haz waste treatment

There were 15 incidents in the last 12 month, mainly amenity (odour and dust) which do increase during the summer months. Work is ongoing in the sector to modernise permits through:

• consolidating and reviewing the standard rules permits
• a permit review for the circa 2,500 bespoke waste operations permits - starting quarter one 2024 to 2025
• installations are being reviewed in line with industrial reference document and BAT conclusions

Food and drink

There have been 10 incidents in the last 12 months. Amenity issues (noise and odour) continue to be the main causes of serious incidents in the sector. Odour is primarily from slaughterhouses and rendering sites. We are still awaiting the start of the UK BAT review which will aim to establish more comprehensive standards for odour control. In the meantime, officers will continue to seek improvements in odour management plans.

Biowaste treatment

Of the 8 incidents one site causes more than any other, work is ongoing to influence local compliance work. Most incidents relate to odour complaints.

Agriculture

There has been one incident on a permitted site in the last 12 months, a slurry tank issue. The agriculture sector has a problem with pollution risk control and management. This is usually in relation to slurry management and handling.

Incident numbers from unpermitted sources or where the source is unknown, out number those from a permitted source. The 12 months period until the end of September 2023, there were:

• 391 (75%) incidents from an unpermitted source
• 127 (25%) from permitted sites and activities

Incidents from unpermitted sources effect the water environment significantly more than other media. For example, recent unpermitted agriculture incidents effecting water courses include:

• oil
• manure run off
• silage and slurry

By comparison more incidents from permitted sources effect the air.

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

Q2 status	Q2 Actual	Q2 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	97%	97%	Green	97%

Commentary

Year to date performance at the end of quarter 2 was 97% and green, maintaining the level of performance from quarter one. Additional resource given to Area Sustainable Places teams to undertake important administration work, has seen a significant increase in the recorded planning decisions this quarter. An assumption that 97% of planning decisions were aligned with our advice, with overall low recorded planning decisions, was one of the important audit concerns.

Quarter 2 data suggests that the 97% assumption of planning decisions are aligned with our advice is validated. There were 48 planning applications that weren’t determined in line with our advice:

• 31 where we raised objections
• 17 applications where requested conditions weren’t included in the final decision

Of the 31 planning applications objected to:

• 24 were made on flood risk grounds
• 4 on groundwater/pollution control grounds
• 3 due to unacceptable effects on biodiversity

Fortunately, all the objections made on flood risk grounds were for minor developments, therefore if all these permissions were implemented it would only result in 19 dwellings that could be at risk from flooding. The conditions that were requested, but not included in the final decision related to flood risk and land contamination/pollution control issues.

We continue to work with developers and local planning authorities to try and resolve objections to support growth, whilst protecting and enhancing the environment. In quarter 2 there were 370 applications where we had initially objected, but successfully negotiated amendments to the initial plans. This was to ensure that the developments could go ahead without adversely affecting the environment.

Quarter	Total
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%

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

Q2 status	Q2 Actual	Q2 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Amber	167	161	Green	151

Commentary

The total number of active high risk illegal waste sites at the end of quarter 2 is 167. This is higher than the ceiling target of 161 and means the status remains amber.

A total of 18 active high risk illegal waste sites were stopped during this period. However, we also saw an increase in the number of new sites identified. This was expected (reported in quarter 4 2022 to 2023) as officers recruited in 2023 worked through the backlog of reports, after completing basic training.

A plan is now in place to:

• reduce the number of high risk illegal sites to the 151 year end ceiling - 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 - where we have historic intelligence, but no reports of current serious or significant effects, we will review this for the start of next year

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

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)

Q2 status	Q2 Actual	Ceiling target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	139,658	145,712	Red	295,820

Commentary

In quarter 2 2023 to 2024, our reported figures show the Environment Agency is within its carbon budget at 96% of the mid year target. However, the FCRM directorate have flagged an issue with their construction carbon data collection process. This is likely to result in a significant increase in carbon budget spend in the second half of this financial year. Current modelling therefore predicts we will move into a red position in quarter 3 or quarter 4.

Construction

The construction carbon data used in this report is predominantly comprised of estimated figures, rather than live data taken from our construction projects. To ensure that the organisation is reporting the most reliable and recent data, our construction carbon accounting will continue to evolve, so that it increasingly uses live data and becomes as accurate and rigorous as our financial accounting.

Fleet

The continued large discrepancy between actuals and budgets this quarter is for the same reason as given in the quarter one report. This is because the embodied carbon effect is still based on the entire fleet held by the Environment Agency, rather than just the vehicles purchased in year. The executive directors team (EDT) will be asked to approve a baseline change request. This is to accommodate our improved data gathering, in the quarter 2 mid year performance review meeting in November. If the change is agreed, it will mean the position will move to an actual of 4,757 tonnes for cars versus the 6,932 tonnes budgeted. In addition to this change, staff are also travelling more than in the previous few years:

• badged vehicles - an increase of 16% in emissions compared to quarter one and 8% compared to quarter 2 last year
• lease/casual mileage - an increase of 9% in emissions compared to quarter one and 56% compared to quarter 2 last year

Computing and IT

We are still under budget in this category for this quarter, similar to quarter one. However, the revised baseline of the computer category will be combined with the annual baseline change exercise scheduled for quarter 2 midyear review. This will result in a reduction of the excess budget in this category.

12.1 Commuting and Travel

Train travel has continued to rise, with an additional 660,000 miles recorded, compared to quarter 2 last year. However, due to a reduction in air travel, our commuting and travel carbon spend is within budget this quarter.

12.2 Pumping

Emissions associated with water transfer have increased since quarter one and increased by 54% compared to quarter 2 last year. This is likely to become a trend, as the need to move water increases with climate change and growing population demand.

Carbon Literacy

The Environment Agency has made significant steps towards achieving platinum certification, by aligning with the required criteria. This includes having 80% of our staff accredited and carrying out proactive carbon literacy engagement, networking, and advocacy with other organisations.

Advancement in early 2023 to 2024 towards meeting the platinum criteria has been impressive. More than 10,000 individuals have completed modules 1, 2 and 3 with almost:

• 8,000 applications submitted
• 7,037 learners successfully certified
• only 1,055 applications left to process

Quarter	Total
2018 to 2019	30,930
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

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Reporting - continue to ensure that construction carbon data aligns with financial data and actual figures are reported at regular intervals, on all projects.	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
Fleet and Digital, Data and Technology Services (DDTS) data accuracy improvements - re-baselining exercise to be completed and approved in EDT mid year review meeting on 16/11/23.	Director of Sustainability, Funding and Service Operations	31/12/2023

13. We manage our money effectively to deliver our outcomes

Q2 status	Q2 Actual - £million	Q2 Budget - £million	Year end forecast	Year end target
Red	£772m	£848m	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 £772 million in the first half of 2023 to 2024. This is a higher level investment compared to this point last year, a reflection of a significantly larger capital programme budget to achieve this year. Finance is continuing to support directors and budget holders in evaluating the latest forecast position. Finance will present regular reports to executive directors detailing significant financial risks and issues that need to be managed and controlled over the year.

The 91% quarter 2 position indicates a risk of material capital expenditure underspend. This is resulting from challenges to achieve the 6 year flood risk management capital programme, using what was considered possible from doubled funding in 2020. This reflects several factors such as:

• the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic
• supply chain capacity challenges
• retention issues in our project manager community

Programme managers continue to assess and take opportunities to strengthen the programme where possible to mitigate this risk.

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%

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

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Conduct a mid year financial review to be presented to Environment Agency executive directors.	Director of Finance	31/10/2023
Manage the consequences of a change in project spend classification, where more spend needs to be classified as resource expenditure and less as capital expenditure.	Director of 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 %)

Q2 status	Q2 Actual	Q2 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Red	5.7%	18%	Red	18%

Commentary

Our current target is that 18% of all employees are from black, Asian and minority ethnic (B.A.M.E) backgrounds. This target reflects the 2021 census data. In quarter 2, the proportion of B.A.M.E. employees in the Environment Agency was 5.7%, an increase from 5.02% in Q2 2022 to 2023. This year in quarter2, 12% of new recruits were from B.A.M.E backgrounds compared to 7.9% in quarter 4 2022 to 2023.

Over the past 12 months we trialled new approaches to recruitment, targeting more diverse communities. In some cases, this has led to 21% of verbal offers made. The improvement in our representation is also due to our career entry initiatives. This is the result of the rollout of the Summer Diversity Internship programme 2023 (SDIP) with the participation of 69 individuals from B.A.M.E backgrounds, of which:

• 14% have secured permanent or fixed term contracts
• 45% have been extended up to 4 months

This year, in quarters 1 and 2, 11% (45) of our leavers were from B.A.M.E backgrounds. This has increased from 6% (24) in quarter 3 to quarter 4 2022 to 2023. When leaving the organisation 49% (22 out of 45) leavers from a B.A.M.E background completed an exit questionnaire. The main reasons reported for leaving were the same across leavers from B.A.M.E and white backgrounds:

• salary (30%)
• career change (27%)
• lack of progression (23%)

These reasons are slightly different from the top 3 in quarter 4, where job dissatisfaction was also highlighted.

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

Q2 status	Q2 Actual	Q2 Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Amber	47.2%	50%	Amber	50%

Commentary

We have a target of 50% of female representation as executive managers. In quarter 2, the percentage of female executive managers (EMs) was 47% (50), a rise from 2022 to 2023 quarter 2, which was 43% (42). Quarter 2 this year, the percentage of female grade 7 managers was 41% (255), an increase from 39% (220) in quarter 2 2022 to 2023. This is encouraging evidence of an increase in the internal talent pipeline for women into executive manager roles.

The equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan includes commitments to improve the diversity in our employee population, including executive managers. Roles lasting 6 or more months are advertised externally and internally. We make sure that all roles recruited to grade 7 and above are conducted by diverse shortlisting and interview panels. Using our recruitment volunteers from our centralised service has positively affected recruitment. We are now exploring how we ascertain compliance rates and how to better support recruiting managers.

Over the past 12 months the total female representation has increased by 3%. We need an increased focus on linking the grade 7 talent pipeline to EM opportunities.

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
Equality Impact Assessment for pay flex transformation business case.	Chief Operating Officer	complete
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

Q2 status	Q2 Actual	Q2 Ceiling rate	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	0.10	0.11	Green	0.11

Commentary

The LTI frequency rate continues to be below the ceiling. We have sustained this performance for over 2 years and despite a slight increase over the winter and spring, the rate has now stabilised.

Analysis of trends has not identified any particular issues that led to the slight increase. We continue to monitor and review every LTI 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
October 2020	0.08
November 2020	0.07
December 2020	0.08
January 2021	0.10
February 2021	0.10
March 2021	0.10
April 2021	0.10
May 2021	0.11
June 2021	0.11
July 2021	0.09
August 2021	0.09
September 2021	0.08
October 2021	0.07
November 2021	0.06
December 2021	0.06
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	0.10

Number of LTIs

Quarter	Number
Q1 2020 to 2021	1
Q2 2020 to 2021	9
Q3 2020 to 2021	3
Q4 2020 to 2021	8
Q1 2021 to 2022	3
Q2 2021 to 2022	4
Q3 2021 to 2022	3
Q4 2021 to 2022	0
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	6