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As we head into the summer parliamentary recess, two key bills are already in motion.
This issue highlights the significant changes ahead for the planning system and holding water companies to account.
The European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of postponing the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
The CSRD delay means that large companies, previously scheduled to begin reporting in 2026, will now need to start reporting on the 2027 financial year, with publications due in 2028. Small and medium-sized listed enterprises will now begin reporting on their 2028 financial year, with reports due in 2029. The CSDDD’s deadline has also been extended to 26 July 2027. These changes are expected to provide companies with additional time to prepare and align their operations with sustainability reporting and due diligence obligations.
The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 has received Royal Assent, and will boost the powers of regulators to tackle pollution. Seen as the most significant increase to enforcement in a decade, the Act gives regulators new powers to take tougher and faster action to crack down on water companies damaging the environment and failing their customers. It increases the ability of the Environment Agency to bring criminal charges against water executives who break the law and creates tougher penalties for obstructing investigations. It also enables Ofwat to ban bonuses to water bosses if they fail to meet high standards.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill has been introduced. It aims to reform the planning system to speed up and streamline the delivery of new homes and critical infrastructure, such as clean energy projects. The government sees planning and construction as key to economic growth.
On the watchlist
New policy and legislation continues at pace across the UK, with significant changes to the permitting regime planned.
To pay for enforcement of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, there are proposals for a new direct levy on certain water discharge activities carried out by water companies.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency is consulting on impacts on the water environment, gathering evidence for the Significant Water Management Issues Report, which will be issued in 2025-2026.
Defra is seeking views on reforms to the Environmental Permitting Regulations, with the aim of creating a more flexible and proportionate regulatory hierarchy. Under the plans, a tiered system of control would be established, allowing activities to be regulated under exemptions, standard rules permits or bespoke permits, depending
on their environmental impact. The changes will result in the reclassification of certain activities.
Scotland has published a consultation on changes to recycling and waste management. The government is designing a new code of practice to support the transition to a more circular economy and to set out priority actions for waste. It includes the rural food waste exemption and possible kerbside collection of textiles.
In court
The Environment Agency has secured a proceeds-of-crime judgment for £313,382 against two men who ran an illegal waste tyre site. Operating without an environmental permit, tyres were stored in an unsafe manner, creating a significant fire and high-pollution risk.
Lastly, in case law, marine conservation organisation Oceana UK is challenging the government’s decision to issue more than 24 oil and gas exploration licences. Campaigners say the impact on climate change and accident risk had not been considered.
Neil Howe PIEMA is head of writing at Barbour EHS
