2026 environmental compliance checklist

[edit] Environmental compliance in the UK

Professionals involved in development, such as those at housebuilders and local authorities, need to stay informed about the latest developments in environmental compliance. To help with this, Thomson Environmental Consultants has produced the 2026 environmental compliance checklist.

This year will see a range of environmental legislative changes, policy shifts, phased rollouts, and compliance updates in the UK. The new environmental compliance checklist is an easy-to-digest, downloadable guide that serves as a quick reference to ensure you know what needs to be done, when, and how to comply.

[edit] How can businesses achieve environmental compliance?

Businesses can achieve environmental compliance by conducting risk assessments, monitoring and reporting environmental impacts, providing employee training, and engaging environmental consultancies.

[edit] What types of projects require environmental compliance?

Most development projects will require compliance with environmental legislation and best practice, including avoiding impacts on protected sites local to the development, avoiding impacts on habitats and protected species, and building in biodiversity net gain for newly developed sites. There are also compliance requirements for trees as part of the planning process, avoiding impacts and designing the development to limit tree loss. Part of this may include Tree Preservation Order (TPO) compliance.

[edit] What happens if a project doesn’t comply with environmental regulations?

If you fail to comply with environmental laws and regulations, you could face severe consequences, including enforcement notices, fines, criminal prosecutions, asset confiscation, project shutdowns, permit revocation, and, ultimately, reputational damage. However, planning permission will not be granted for developments that cannot demonstrate compliance.

[edit] Why is remaining compliant in the environmental space important?

• Legal responsibility: It’s legally required to comply with regulations; this includes compliance with those regulations as they change.
• Protection of people and the environment: Regulations exist to protect the environment, communities, and other relevant stakeholders, and compliance helps prevent situations like pollution, habitat loss, and long-term environmental damage.
• Public trust and accountability: Demonstrating compliance builds confidence that organisations are responsible and sustainable.
• Future-proofing projects: Remaining compliant reduces the risk that developments/projects will become non-compliant in the near future.

[edit] Does environmental compliance impact project cost and timeline?

If you engage with an environmental consultancy early on during the planning process, and consider environment compliance from the start, it will improve long-term efficiency. While it may mean some increased costs at the start, remaining compliant mitigates severe penalties further down the line.

[edit] Why is it important to be aware of dates and events?

Legislation is often introduced through phased rollouts, policy transitions, and staggered enforcement dates. With this in mind, it’s important to understand when these changes might take effect, as it allows you to plan ahead, consider project timelines, and avoid last-minute slip ups that can be costly and disruptive.

Remaining informed also helps prevent the consequences of non-compliance, which can include enforcement action, financial penalties and development delays.

Awareness of these dates reduces uncertainty and allows organisations to demonstrate due diligence and accountability.

Key item and dates are given are given below, the checklist is also available for download here.

[edit] Key dates and events in early 2026

[edit] BNG - NSIP Consultation Response

Government response expected early 2026 ahead of mandatory rollout. Applies to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).

[edit] BS 5837

(Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition & Construction) The British Standards Institution (BSI) is currently revising BS 5837: Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction, with the comment resolution phase for the draft scheduled to begin on February 24, 2026. The revision aims to update the 2012 standard to align with modern arboricultural practices, increased ecological awareness, and changes in construction, with final publication anticipated later in 2026.

[edit] Scotland

[edit] Natural Environment Bill

Stage 3 expected early 2026, ahead of Scottish Parliament dissolution in May 2026.Final amendments and vote before Royal Assent.

[edit] Wales

[edit] Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) Bill.

Stage 2 expected early 2026.. Royal Assent possible later in 2026.

[edit] NPPF Consultation

(Conserving and enhancing the natural environment) Closes March 2026. Response expected later in 2026.

[edit] Key dates and events in March 2026

[edit] Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) Protected Sites.

Delivery of up to 12 protected site strategies. Focus on pollution reduction and habitat degradation. Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) are a key component of the UK government’s reforms to planning and environmental regulation, designed to speed up housebuilding while delivering strategic nature recovery. The first of these plans is set to be introduced and operational in 2026.

[edit] Key dates and events in April 2026

[edit] Climate Change Levy (CCL)

New rates apply from 1 April 2026. This is an environmental tax on UK business energy use (gas, electricity, solid fuels) and it is set to rise by 3.3% from 1 April 2026. Designed to encourage energy efficiency, it applies to industrial, commercial, and public sector users.

[edit] Key dates and events in May 2026

[edit] Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

Biodiversity net gain likely to be required for NSIPs from May 2026. This will provide a clear framework to ensure new major infrastructure developments leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before development took place. This will contribute to DEFRAs’ legally binding Environment Act 2021 targets for biodiversity, and provide wider benefits for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

[edit] Scotland

[edit] Scottish Parliamentary Elections.

Deadline for passing the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill before elections.

[edit] Key events in throughout 2026

[edit] BNG Changes Minor & Brownfield Developments

Adjustments expected for: Small sites <0.2ha, Brownfield sites with potential, exemption of sites <2.5ha and wider changes to simplify the process.

[edit] Water (Special Measures) Act 2025

This achieved royal Assent in February 2025, and will be enforced throughout 2026. This act brings tougher penalties for water companies, including banning director bonuses if performance fails on sewage pollution and criminal liability for obstructing inspectors.

Enforced throughout 2026:

• Pollution Incident Reduction Plans (PIRPs)
• Consideration of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
• Stronger penalties for missed pollution targets

[edit] Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs)

First EDPs for nutrients expected late 2026.

[edit] Bathing Water Regulations

Introduction of a new feasibility assessment framework.

[edit] Flood Risk Activity Permits

Increased exemptions for low-risk activities to support development and infrastructure. The Environment Agency (EA) is expanding the list of activities that do not require a full permit, provided they meet specific “appropriate controls” and are registered.

[edit] Scotland

[edit] BNG - Scottish Biodiversity Metric

Consultation mid-2026, adoption 2027.

[edit] Trees & Planning Standards

BS 3998:2010 (Tree Work - Recommendations) Under review via open consultation. No confirmed publication date.

BS 42020 (Planning & Development Code of Practice). Update expected during 2026.

[edit] Wales

[edit] Tree & Woodland Protection

Planning (Wales) Bill replaces 1999 regulations.Expected to come into force in 2026. Introduces:

• Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)
• Woodland Preservation Orders (WPOs)
• Broader definition of amenity
• Simplified procedures

[edit] Key dates and events in November 2026

[edit] Post-Legislative Response to the Environment Act

Government response expected November 2026.

[edit] Key events in expected in 2026

[edit] Following publication of the Independant Water Commission White Paper

• UK and Welsh Governments to jointly publish the 2026 Transition Plan (accompanied by interim strategic guidance for the current regulators).
• Water Reform Bill introduced to Parliament.

[edit] Further details on the Government response to the Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025 and potential changes to environmental legislation such as the Habitats Regulations.

This article was issued via press release as "Environmental compliance a checklist" and blogpiece "The ultimate guide to environmental compliance 2026" from Fishtank Creative Limited dated 13 February, 2026.

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