Nature-based solutions for sustainable water resources: Environment Agency position statement
The Environment Agency’s position on the use of nature-based solutions (NbS) to support sustainable water resources. Includes how they work, benefits and current evidence.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This statement sets out the Environment Agency’s position on using NbS to support sustainable water resources.
The position statement is for:
- water companies
- regional water resources groups
- environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- local authorities
- farmers and landowners
The Environment Agency planpublished totheir technical publish their handbook on on NbS for for water resources on in17 summerAugust 2026. This willsets set out how to use use NbS to to support water resources and design and design NbS projects projects to realise the benefits described in this position statement.
Updates to this page
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Added a link to the Nature-based solutions (NbS) for water resources handbook, which was published on 17 August 2026.
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Added a link in section 7 to our guidance on how to request environmental permit and coordination support for nature projects.
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First published.
Update history
2026-08-17 10:00
Added a link to the Nature-based solutions (NbS) for water resources handbook, which was published on 17 August 2026.
2026-06-05 10:49
Added a link in section 7 to our guidance on how to request environmental permit and coordination support for nature projects.
2026-05-28 09:00
First published.