Failure by the Secretary of State to report on the “Developments in International Environmental Protection” in line with Section 21 of the Environment Act 2021

Summary

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) received a complaint  alleging that Defra had failed to publish a report on the “Developments in International Environmental Protection” in line with Section 21 of the Environment Act 2021. 

Outcome

Following dialogue with Defra the report was published on 29 April 2025, and the OEP considers that the alleged failure set out in the complaint has now been resolved. As such, the complaint has been closed. The OEP will continue to monitor the publication of future reports in line with the legal requirements stated in the Environment Act 2021.