AGP Executive Report

Water: Danny Dyer is reportedly planning a Thames flotilla to protest sewage dumping. North Wales remains in drought, while some UK towns face water shortages into 2027. North Sea: Industry-backed research says blocking Rosebank and Jackdaw could mean £10.8bn less economic value over a decade and 3,330 fewer jobs supported each year. The projections depend on the projects and wider investment going ahead, sharpening the clash over drilling and climate targets. Clean Energy: A UK ammonia roadmap forecasts £1.5bn in investment and 5,500 jobs, while Scotland’s 15MW Cromarty green hydrogen project has won planning consent. Recycling: Co-op and Podback are expanding coffee pod collection to more than 200 stores, after an initial trial collected eight tonnes. Climate Risks: England has lost at least 183 homes to coastal erosion in 16 years, and a new government taskforce is preparing for flood and drought risks. Antarctica: A team will spend five months repairing Britain’s first permanent base as heavier rain and snowfall threaten the historic site.

Floods and Drought: The government has launched a taskforce as England faces winter flood risks after a dry summer, and plans to protect 200,000 more homes. Millions remain unaware their homes are at risk; water shortages also persist, with some UK towns warned supplies could run low into 2027. Air Quality: London is once again in breach of legal air pollution limits, renewing pressure for action to protect public health. Clean Energy: A 600MW renewables project in Nottinghamshire has won government approval, while the UK still faces calls to strengthen its clean-energy transition. Wildlife: Tern colonies in Northumberland and Norfolk showed signs of recovery this breeding season, despite avian flu and extreme weather. Nature: Climate change is making Scotland’s rainforest restoration more challenging, experts warn.

Drought and Water: Northumbrian Water says reservoirs were only 64% full at the end of September after a dry month, urging households to save water and check for leaks. Yorkshire is already in drought status, while a new taskforce will coordinate planning for both droughts and floods. Flood Preparedness: A new online service brings together flood-risk checks, warnings and advice on protecting homes; the government aims to improve flood protection for 200,000 properties. Textile Waste: WRAP has launched a programme with Next, Primark and Tesco to improve clothing collection and recycling. The UK discards an estimated 1.45 million tonnes of textiles a year, with nearly half ending up in general waste or the wrong recycling stream. Clean Energy: The government has approved the Steeple Renewables solar and battery project in Nottinghamshire, which could power around 180,000 homes and include measures to boost biodiversity. Nature and Climate: Climate change is making Scotland’s rainforest restoration more difficult, while a new study warns that Croyde in Devon is among surf breaks vulnerable to changing conditions.

North Sea Pressure: Conservatives are urging Andy Burnham to approve the Jackdaw and Rosebank projects and lift the ban on new licences, sharpening the debate over fossil fuel investment and climate goals. Nature Watchdog: Natural England faces calls for reform over its approach to development, including the £95m HS2 bat tunnel, raising questions about how to balance infrastructure with wildlife protection. Water Stress: Yorkshire is in drought after a record dry spell, and hydrologists warn some parts of the UK could face a winter-long drought. England’s flood taskforce has also been urged to plan for drought. Climate Risks: Scientists warn global warming is weakening Atlantic ocean circulation, with potentially major consequences for Britain’s climate. Sewage Pollution: Welsh waterways endured more than 800,000 hours of sewage spills last year, while campaigners say water firms failed to report tens of thousands of incidents on time. Food Security: England has suffered its worst harvest on record after extreme summer weather, as mounting pressure on farmers raises concerns about the UK’s food supply.

Water Stress: Yorkshire has been declared in drought after its fifth-driest April-to-September period on record, with river and groundwater levels still low despite recent rain. A new government taskforce will bring agencies and industries together to prepare for both drought and a potentially stormy, flood-prone winter. Nature: Three Oxfordshire community projects have been praised for creating wildlife-friendly gardens and habitats; Greener Henley aims to establish 5,000 square metres of connected pollinator habitat by 2030. Climate and Energy: Scotland’s floating-wind industry faces crisis talks over expected contract cuts, while a separate warning says a flawed wind-farm penalty scheme could put billions in investment at risk. Wildlife: Scientists say there should be no UK cod fishing, adding to pressure for stronger protection of marine stocks. Climate Accountability: Courts are playing a growing role in climate action, with Australia’s highest court recently blocking a coal-mine expansion over its climate impact.

Air Pollution: UK health bodies warn that outdoor air pollution contributes to around 40,000 deaths a year and costs more than £20bn, with indoor sources also posing risks. A progress report calls for better conversations between healthcare staff and patients about pollution’s effects. Drought: Yorkshire has been declared in drought after its fifth-driest April-to-September period on record, as dry conditions persist across England; a hydrologist warns some areas could face a winter-long drought. Water Pollution: Researchers say more than two tonnes of plastic nurdles may remain in the River Tyne, while reports highlight sewage pollution linked to septic tanks and waste flushed into London’s rivers. Climate and Farming: England has suffered its worst harvest on record after extreme summer weather, underlining the growing pressure climate impacts are putting on food production.

Water emergency: Yorkshire has joined 10 other English areas in drought, with reservoirs at 54% capacity—well below average. The Environment Agency says sustained rain is needed to restore supplies. Flood risk: Two million households in England don’t realise their homes are at risk; the agency urges people to check their risk and sign up for warnings. Wildfire preparedness: Scotland’s fire service faces calls for a review after a Cairngorms blaze burned 10 square miles, with an MSP warning that plans fell short. Waste crime: An Environment Agency clean-up removed 39,500 tonnes of waste from an illegal Kent dump, as organised waste crime is estimated to cost England £1bn a year. Water pollution: Welsh waterways endured more than 800,000 hours of sewage spills last year, while England’s water companies are accused of failing to report tens of thousands of spills on time. Community energy: A solar project in Ayrshire is helping showcase how local groups can generate and benefit from renewable power.

Water Pollution: Swimmers were warned to avoid Plymouth Hoe after a second sewage discharge in a week. The Environment Agency is investigating South West Water, while wider reports allege millions of hours of sewage spills and thousands of incidents not reported on time. Wildfire and Heat: A fire that devastated more than 100 hectares of Dunwich Heath has prompted a National Trust appeal to help restore the wildlife reserve. September was the UK’s joint fourth warmest on record, after a scorching summer left much of England facing drought; Yorkshire is now officially in drought. Pollution Checks: Records show one of the UK’s largest refineries exceeded chemical limits hundreds of times, renewing scrutiny of industrial pollution. Recycling: Kingston University will lead the UK’s first waste and recycling robotics hub, aimed at helping businesses adopt new technology.

Water stress: Yorkshire has been declared in drought after its fifth-driest April-to-September period on record, with rivers and groundwater still low despite recent rain. The Environment Agency warns the effects of the dry spring and summer will take time to reverse. Sewage pollution: England’s water companies failed to report more than 50,000 sewage discharges on time in the first half of 2026, according to Surfers Against Sewage. The group also recorded 7,450 spills on dry days. Wildfire risk: England recorded its second-highest number of wildfires in 2026, adding to calls for the country to adapt to hotter, drier conditions. Farming and wildlife: A funding shortfall in England’s Sustainable Farming Incentive has left nature-friendly farming plans at risk, while Northern Ireland has begun offering farmers £15m in grants for more efficient, sustainable businesses. Clean energy: NI Water has installed hydro turbines at three sites, expected to generate about 900MWh a year and cut grid use and emissions. Winter readiness: Northern Ireland says around 45,000 homes and businesses face flood risk and is urging people to prepare for severe weather.

Emerging Disease Risks: A £3.75m, four-year University of Glasgow study will assess how climate and environmental change could spread mosquito- and midge-borne diseases in the UK, helping prepare for future outbreaks. Climate Watch: Forecasters warn a potentially exceptionally strong El Niño could bring knock-on risks for Britain’s winter weather, food supplies and energy demand. Sewage Pollution: Welsh waters endured more than 800,000 hours of sewage discharges in 2025, with over 100,000 releases recorded. The total fell from the previous year, partly because of dry weather, but campaigners say underinvestment and weak enforcement remain concerns. Marine Health: New research warns that microbes, as well as warmer temperatures, may be draining oxygen from deep waters in the Celtic Sea, threatening seafloor ecosystems.

Wildfire Risk: England recorded 624 wildfires in July, its worst month on record, as the UK endured its hottest summer. The provisional figures make 2026 the second-worst year for fires since records began in 2010. Water Pollution: Sewage discharges into Britain’s rivers reportedly topped three million hours, while water companies also failed to report spills within legal time limits. Four North Wales beauty spots were named among the worst for sewage discharge. Wildlife: Puffins, barn owls, bumblebees and hedgehogs will feature on the next UK banknotes, following a public consultation that drew nearly 500,000 responses. Climate Finance: The UK pledged £10 million to the Pacific Resilience Facility, which remains US$320 million short of its minimum funding target ahead of COP31.

Sewage Pollution: Welsh beaches faced more than 100,000 sewage spills in 2025 — about one every five minutes — with discharges affecting bathing waters for 35,669 hours. Surfers Against Sewage also recorded 1,492 spills into bathing waters in the first half of 2026. Water Shortages: The Environment Agency has issued South West Water a drought permit as Somerset’s Wimbleball Reservoir sits at just 18% capacity, well below last year’s level. The reservoir supplies 390,000 people. Water Company Accountability: Havant councillors unanimously declared no confidence in Southern Water, citing repeated sewage discharges, contamination concerns and failures to protect local waters. Roads and Climate Law: Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal overturned the High Court decision blocking the A5 project, ruling that climate law does not require departments to map a project’s emissions onto a precise carbon pathway before approval.

Water Scarcity & Wildlife: Lundy Island faces possible evacuation as water levels hit record lows, with emergency water imports and pond pumping measures now under threat. Climate & Weather: The Met Office says the coldest night of autumn so far is coming, with Arctic winds bringing the first frost to parts of northern England and Scotland. Heatwave Waste Fallout: Broken fridges and freezers are piling up after heatwaves, as some councils pause collections due to storage and dismantling capacity problems. Recycling Rules: New guidance warns households not to put common takeaway items in recycling, as contamination can derail sorting. Northern Ireland Environment: Translink’s Foyle Street Bus Centre and other hubs win Platinum SPIRIT awards for greener, safer facilities. Farming Under Pressure: A new Farmdex survey finds most UK farmers are struggling to plan amid policy uncertainty, rising input costs and changing weather. Oil & Gas Approval Fight: Equinor warns rejecting Rosebank could be a major setback, as the UK decision nears. Steel & Circularity: Research warns the UK could rely more on imported steel unless recycling and electric furnace capacity expand. Amazon Protection: Coldplay-backed commitments from six Brazilian states aim to protect 1.7m hectares of forest and cut emissions. Animal Welfare Law: Northern Ireland proposes “Lucy’s Law” style rules to crack down on puppy farms, tightening where and how animals can be sold.

Water & Regulation: Ofwat is set to appoint an independent monitor (likely Grant Thornton) to oversee troubled South East Water after ongoing supply failures and a £30.5m redress package left customers without reliable water. Air Quality & Heating: DEFRA is considering tougher log-burner rules, including stricter emissions limits, mandatory labelling and higher penalties, targeting PM2.5 from domestic solid-fuel burning. Climate & Food Waste: A new push highlights how rotting food in landfills drives methane and worsens warming, with UN guidance urging action to cut organic waste. Energy Bills: The chancellor is planning a major intervention to help poorer households with rising winter energy costs, with options focused on discounts rather than broad levy cuts. Sustainable Buildings: BRE’s BREEAM Awards 2026 spotlight low-carbon refurbishments and climate-resilient design, with Lambeth Palace winning for a deep retrofit. Local Green Action: Newport council is starting work on a new ship-themed playground as part of its wider climate, waste and recycling improvements. Animals Under Strain: The RSPCA warns of a capacity crisis in Durham and across England and Wales, urging adopters and foster carers as multi-animal rescues surge.

AI medical regulation: The UK government will accept all 44 recommendations from its AI in healthcare commission, including ongoing monitoring for AI-enabled medical devices and new MHRA draft guidance due in December 2026. Climate and planning law: Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal has cleared the way for the A5 Derry–Aughnacloy upgrade after judges ruled the project can be authorised while aligning with net zero duties. Recycling policy fight: Conservatives are floating an end to pEPR, framing it as a “packaging tax” while opponents warn it could shift recycling costs back onto households and councils. Nature and heritage: Kew is launching a £1m public appeal to save the Palm House, while Skye’s corncrake numbers are rebounding thanks to wildlife-friendly crofting practices. Waste and sustainability awards: Waste to Wonder Worldwide has received the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainability 2026 for turning unwanted workplace items into measurable environmental and social value. Water and species recovery: NI Water says its nature-based catchment work is supporting species recovery and improving raw water quality ahead of treatment.

UK Greens row: Israel-linked groups and British Jewish leaders hit back after the Green Party backed a motion equating Zionism with racism and calling for a single Palestinian state, warning it deepens hostility as antisemitism rises. Climate vs AI debate: A new argument says AI “extinction” talk can distract from the real climate danger—its energy demand—while also warning that downplaying AI risks is a gamble. Hormuz security: UK maritime authorities report a tanker engine-room fire after an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, the third such hit in two days, with no casualties or environmental impact reported. Recycling in practice (NI): Antrim and Newtownabbey says its kerbside box rollout has cut contamination sharply and shifted paper recycling from overseas shipments to local processing. Water & drought pressure: Experts warn the UK is unprepared for food and supply shocks as drought and low reservoirs intensify. Business travel upgrade: Heathrow’s new DiamondAir lounge highlights how premium services keep expanding around the airport. Biosecurity in poultry: Synexis and Customate plan to spread touchless indoor pathogen control across UK and Ireland poultry operations.