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environment

Government is off-track to meet its legally binding commitments to protect and improve the environment and must act urgently, says the OEP

The Office for Environmental Protection is an independent body set up to hold government and public authorities to account for their environmental commitments. A key part of its remit is to annually assess how government is progressing against its legally binding environmental targets and goals in its Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). The EIP is regarded as government’s roadmap on how it will restore England’s environment.

By Professor Robbie McDonald, Office for Environmental Protection on 17 March 2026

Water sector reform and why efficiency is key to ensuring resilient business supplies

With England facing a 6 billion litres per day water supply shortfall by 2055 and the water sector undergoing its biggest reform since privatisation, business has an essential role in demand and efficiency to ensure resilient future supplies.

By Tamara Walters, Waterwise on 17 March 2026

Environment Nature Bumblebee Flower MED Istock

Aligning financial flows with the Global Biodiversity Framework: the role of the TNFD

Nature provides the essential foundations of our global economy and society. As established in the recent assessment from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), all businesses, across all sectors, rely on nature.

By Valerie Pinkerton, Green Finance Institute on 09 March 2026

“I’m not prepared to sit back and assume everybody’s fine”

Director of health and safety at the Canal & River Trust, Anne Gardner-Aston, shares what she’s most proud of achieving in the past four years since taking on a new role in the wake of a turbulent moment in the charity’s history.

By Belinda Liversedge on 02 January 2026

Balance Work Life Illustration MED Istock Credit Nuthawut Somsuk

Sustainability and worker wellbeing: two-sides of the same coin

Businesses increasingly understand the benefits of integrating their approach to worker wellbeing with their sustainability goals – and there are some practical, low-cost and simple ways of achieving this.

By Dr Audrey Fleming and Dr Keith Whitehead, British Safety Council on 23 October 2025

People Sustainability Recycling Environment MED Istock 1359495077

Changes to ISO management standards: start preparing now

The key ISO management standards setting out best practice frameworks for effectively managing occupational health and safety, environmental and quality risks and opportunities are undergoing major revision, so it’s essential businesses start planning now to meet the new requirements in order to maintain their certifications under the relevant standards.

By Dr Keith Whitehead, British Safety Council on 08 August 2025

Wind Farm Worker Istock 855256042 Credit Bulentbaris

Business confidence in government’s net zero target waning, finds BSI poll

Confidence among UK businesses that the country can meet its net zero targets has fallen, despite improved clarity around policy direction, a new poll has shown.

By Belinda Liversedge on 19 August 2025

Aligning organisational culture with sustainability: a win, win for the environment and business

The culture of an organisation is crucial in determining how successfully it implements, integrates and achieves its sustainability and environmental goals and practices. However, there are a number of simple ways of ensuring a positive organisational culture where everyone is fully committed to achieving excellent sustainability performance.

By Dr Keith Whitehead, British Safety Council on 04 April 2025

Discarded Vapes iStock Benjamin Robinson

Unsafe disposal of millions of vapes a week causing environmental damage and rise in lithium-ion battery fires

More than eight million vapes are thrown away or recycled incorrectly every week in the UK, resulting in environmental damage and an increased risk of lithium-ion battery fires, according to non-profit group Material Focus.

By Kerry Reals on 19 December 2024

Boosting biodiversity: why businesses must act

Healthy ecosystems and biodiversity are crucial for everything from food production to absorbing carbon emissions – and businesses have a crucial role in reversing biodiversity loss.

By Dr Keith Whitehead, British Safety Council on 12 June 2023

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