Every year, the regulator publishes its Regulating for
People, the Environment and Growth (RPEG) report which
sets out the regulatory performance of businesses
holding environmental permits in England and the
effectiveness of the EA’s regulatory approach.
The report shows that 93% of the 14,000 businesses the
EA regulates demonstrated good compliance with their
environmental permit conditions. Businesses which
harmed the environment, however faced record penalties.
A total of £25.5 million in fines were issued by the
courts for environmental offences brought by the Agency
compared to £8 million last year.
Waste crime continues to blight communities, cause
environmental harm, and undercut legitimate business.
The Environment Agency is closing more than two illegal
waste sites every day but discovering a similar number
of new illegal sites. The report acknowledges waste
crime is becoming more organised and that more needs to
be done. This will be addressed in the government’s
forthcoming organised waste crime review, which has
examined how the Environment Agency, partners, and the
law enforcement system can best tackle the problem.
The report also highlights the increased use of
Enforcement Undertakings for less serious environmental
incidents. In 2017/18 there were a record £2.2 million
worth of Enforcement Undertakings accepted by the
Agency. By companies admitting liability and making a
financial contribution to put right the harm they have
caused, both the environment and communities benefit.
Other key findings include:
- 812 illegal waste sites were shutdown in 2017/18;
more than 2 a day.
- Serious pollution incidents fell to 419, down 18%
compared to 2016.
- The number of persistently poorly managed sites
reduced by 18% compared to 2016.
- Environmental charities, organisations and projects
received almost £2.2 million, compared to £0.9 million
in 2016, in Enforcement Undertakings.
Harvey Bradshaw, Executive Director of the Environment
Agency, said:
Our regulation is supporting a healthier environment
and safer communities – serious pollution incidents
fell by 18%. We closed down over 800 illegal waste
sites, and the courts have imposed record levels of
fines on companies for environmental offences.
We are committed to supporting businesses to innovate
and grow, in return, we expect that businesses take
their responsibilities to protecting the environment
seriously.
The report can be found here
