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Environmental sustainability

Protecting the natural environment for future generations requires co-ordinated action across government and a thorough understanding of the long term implications of decisions. Meeting climate change targets, for example, will require radical changes in energy, transport and housing by 2050. Improving air quality involves the environment and transport departments as well as local government.

To achieve real change government needs to ensure there is clear ownership for sustainability in government. This is particularly important in times of austerity, to avoid issues being side-lined under competing pressures. Environmental considerations should be an integral part of departments' planning and decision making processes, with rigorous arrangements for monitoring policy delivery and for holding people to account for performance. Government needs to understand the link between environmental sustainability and economic growth.

Key NAO publications:

Environmental and sustainability metrics briefing (Oct 2015)
A Short Guide to Environmental protection and sustainable development (Sep 2015)
Sustainability reporting in central government: An update (Feb 2015)
NAO Briefing: Environmental protection (Jun 2014)

Tackling local breaches of air quality

This report examines government’s progress in tackling local breaches of NO2 limits and its performance on air quality more broadly.

Sector(s): Energy and environment

Performance Improvement area(s): Environmental sustainability

Department(s): Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Published:
17 Jun 2022

Measuring and reporting public sector greenhouse gas emissions

This report examines if government is achieving its ambition for the public sector to be a leader in decarbonising its activities.

Sector(s): Energy and environment

Performance Improvement area(s): Environmental sustainability, Strategic centre of government

Department(s): Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, HM treasury

Published:
10 Jun 2022

Investigation into government’s actions to combat waste crime in England

This investigation assesses government’s oversight of the waste industry and what action is taken to address illegal activity.

Sector(s): Energy and environment

Performance Improvement area(s): Environmental sustainability

Department(s): Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Published:
27 Apr 2022

Autumn 2022

Decarbonising the power sector

This report will examine how BEIS is set up to achieve power sector decarbonisation while maintaining security of electricity supply.

Posted 22 March 2022 in: Energy and environment

Performance Improvement area(s): Environmental sustainability

Contact:

NAO Press Office
+44 (0)20 7798 7400 or email pressoffice@nao.org.uk

Planting Trees in England

This report evaluates whether Defra’s management of new tree-planting schemes is likely to achieve value for money.

Sector(s): Energy and environment, Food and farming

Performance Improvement area(s): Environmental sustainability, Performance measurement

Department(s): Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Published:
4 Mar 2022

Understanding storm overflows: Exploratory analysis of Environment Agency data

Insights we have drawn from exploratory analysis of data used by the Environment Agency as part of its regulation of storm overflows

Sector(s): Energy and environment, Regulation, consumers and competition

Performance Improvement area(s): Analysis, Environmental sustainability, Regulation

Department(s): Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Published:
17 Sep 2021

The Environmental Land Management scheme

This report examines the strategic management of the Environmental Land Management scheme.

Sector(s): Energy and environment, Food and farming

Performance Improvement area(s): Contract lifecycle, Environmental sustainability, Major project delivery

Department(s): Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Published:
15 Sep 2021

Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme

This report examines the performance, implementation, procurement and management of the Green Homes Grant scheme.

Sector(s): Energy and environment

Performance Improvement area(s): Commercial, Contract lifecycle, Environmental sustainability, Major project delivery, Operations and process management, Oversight of service delivery, Performance measurement

Department(s): Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Published:
8 Sep 2021

Climate change risk: A good practice guide for Audit and Risk Assurance Committees

This guide will help ARACs recognise how climate change risks could manifest themselves and support them in challenging senior management on their approach to managing climate change risks.

Sector(s): Audit committees and boards, Energy and environment

Performance Improvement area(s): Environmental sustainability, Financial and risk management, Support for Audit Committees, Support to Boards

Department(s): Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Published:
5 Aug 2021