This project assessed the extent to which the UK Government’s Green Choices Principles are reflected in the new food strategy for England that was published in July 2025. The six green choices principles are described as cross-cutting enablers that are important for delivery of Environmental Improvement Plans (EIP). Previously, we identified limited and uneven application of these principles in the food system, suggesting a range of potential government actions that could redress this. The new food strategy for England, published in July 2025, set strategic direction and specific outcomes, which are supported by policies and forthcoming delivery plans.
This research found that, although ‘vision and roles’ are much clearer, there is still uneven expression of the other green choices principles, with opportunity for the forthcoming delivery plans to strengthen this. Actions to fully apply the ‘greener by design’ principle are needed. Forthcoming policy development and implementation needs to be done in such a way as to strengthen the expression of the ‘participation and acceptability’ principle, to improve their chances of delivering the outcomes needed for EIP commitments.
Disclaimer
CECAN Ltd and TABLE, University of Oxford were commissioned by the Office for Environmental Protection to undertake this research. The views provided in this report do not represent the opinion or position of the OEP. Some of the analysis in this report was used to inform the OEP’s report Progress in Improving the Natural Environment in England 2024/2025.