GSS Environment, Climate and Nature workplan
The Environment, Climate and Nature theme group contributes to the four nations of the United Kingdom, including:
- England’s Environmental Improvement Plan
- to UK-wide targets, such as the legally binding UK net zero by 2050 target
- internationally, such as through the Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Committee of Experts on Environmental-Economic Accounting (UNCEEA).
A range of departments collect, compile and publish environment, climate and nature statistics relevant to their policy area, including the devolved governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
You can access up-to-date statistics and data on this topic area in:
- the Office for National Statistics (ONS) release calendar
- the GOV.UK research and statistics directory
- the Welsh Government research and statistics directory
- the Scottish Government research and statistics directory
- the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (NI) Research
These statistics span multiple policy departments, agencies, public bodies and devolved administrations, including:
- Office for National Statistics (ONS)
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
- Natural England
- Environment Agency
- Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
- Department for Transport (DfT)
- Met Office
- Office of Rail and Road (ORR)
- Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
- Cabinet Office
- HM Treasury
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development office (FCDO)
- Ministry of Defence (MoD)
- Welsh Government
- Natural Resources Wales
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland
- Scottish Government
- NatureScot
- National Physical Laboratory
- Government Actuary’s Department (GAD)
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
This work relates to multiple levels of geographies, including UK-wide, local authority level and national. In some cases, international comparisons are also included.
Most coverage is UK-wide, but some solely cover England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or GB, for example, which may reflect the policy arrangements.
Granularity also varies, depending on the underlying data instrument, and regional or local authority breakdowns may be available. For example, DESNZ publishes Local Authority level emissions statistics in their June release, whereas data on energy balances and prices tend to be UK-level with some regional (ITL1) breakdowns.
Priority areas of activity for 2026
Over the coming year (2025-2026), key priorities include maintaining and enhancing existing environmental statistics outputs, fostering collaboration across the GSS, and responding to new policy initiatives.
Activities span developing shared visions for data, incorporating new information such as:
- domestic battery storage
- improving access to green and blue space statistics
- advancing indicators for species abundance and distribution
Efforts are also focused on:
- modernising data processing systems
- making progress towards official statistics status for the Natural Capital Accounts
- including environmental questions in public and business surveys
There is ongoing work to align UK and country Biodiversity Indicators with international frameworks, commission necessary research, and create new data platforms.
The ONS is:
- developing a globally generalisable methods framework for climate and health statistics
- updating the National Well-being dashboard
- experimenting with new methodologies for more timely income and wealth statistics
Collaborative use of existing networks aims to share good practice and improve environmental reporting across the sector.
Members of the theme group will:
- continue to develop a shared vision for environment statistics and data across the wider GSS
- maintain the existing suite of outputs, including regular publications and deliverables to other organisations
- continue to enhance outputs with activities taking place within this year
Examples of departmental theme priorities are listed below.
In addition to this work, members will make use of existing networks across the GSS theme and Defra-led Environmental Reporting Network to facilitate discussion and share good practice on wider environmental reporting and statistics.
Proposed activity is largely related to, or expanding on, existing statistics. We do not anticipate any new statistical publications this year, so activity reflects development of the existing suite of outputs. This will include evolving releases to reflect new phases of energy efficiency schemes.
Publications within this theme
Examples of environment, climate and nature statistics publications released at least annually across the GSS by topic can be found in this section.
The list is not exhaustive, but provides guidance on key releases under these topics. Some publications may span multiple GSS themes, for example, energy efficiency and fuel poverty overlap with welfare, wellbeing and housing theme.
Lead departments are provided for each statistical release. Each release also reports whether the statistics are designated as official statistics in development, official statistics or accredited official statistics.
Air quality and emissions statistics – Defra
A series bringing together all documents relating to air quality and emissions statistics.
Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – NAEI
Greenhouse gas inventories for the UK’s four nations.
Measuring UK greenhouse gas emissions – ONS
A summary of the three measures of UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: territorial, residence and footprint.
Residence-based emissions statistics – ONS
Annual emissions from UK residents and UK-registered businesses, regardless of whether they are in the UK or overseas, including air pollution statistics. Annual provisional data and quarterly emissions data also produced.
Territorial emissions statistics –DESNZ
Annual emissions within the UK’s borders. These are taken from the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory, a consistent time series of UK greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 onwards. Provisional data is also available, including quarterly emissions estimates, as well as greenhouse gas emissions by Local Authority and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC).
Transport energy and environment statistics – DfT
Statistics on the impact of transport on the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants from transport. Data tables for these, including energy tables, are also available.
UK carbon footprint emissions statistics – Defra
Annual emissions associated with UK consumption, regardless of where they occur in the world.
Environmental protection expenditure survey – ONS
Annual estimates of environmental protection expenditure with breakdowns by UK industry and activity.
Experimental estimates of green jobs – ONS
Twice-yearly estimates of UK green jobs using the using the industry, occupation and firm measurement approaches.
Low carbon and renewable energy economy survey – ONS
Annual estimates of the size of the UK’s low carbon and renewable energy economy, including turnover and employment, on a direct and indirect (including supply chain) basis.
UK Environmental Accounts – ONS
Annual measurements of the contribution of the environment to the economy, impact of economic activity on the environment, and response to environmental issues. This includes residence-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and environmental protection expenditure accounts. Annual provisional GHG emissions data are published separately around September.
UK environmental taxes – ONS
Annual value and composition of UK environmental taxes, by type of tax and economic activity, and comparisons with other European countries.
UK natural capital accounts – ONS
Annual estimates of the financial and societal value of natural resources to people in the UK. The ONS produces habitat accounts, which value the natural capital of the ecosystem services within 8 different habitats:
- woodland
- urban
- freshwater
- enclosed farmland
- mountain, moorland and heath
- semi-natural grassland
- coastal margins
- marine
Digest of UK Energy Statistics – DESNZ
Information on energy production, trade, and consumption in the UK for total energy and by specific fuels.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure statistics – DfT
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure statistics, including publicly available devices and grants provided by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.
Energy consumption in the UK – DESNZ
Information for overall energy consumption in the UK with details of the industry, transport, domestic and services sectors.
Energy Performance of Buildings Certificates – MHCLG
Quarterly publications from certificates held on the Energy Performance of Buildings Register in England and Wales. Monthly open data (MHCLG) and further annual analysis (ONS) are also available.
Energy trends – DESNZ
Quarterly publication which presents data on the supply and demand of all the major fuels in the UK.
Energy statistics – NISRA
Northern Ireland energy statistics published by NISRA statisticians within the Department for the Economy’s Analytical Services Division.
Energy statistics – Scottish Government
Statistical publications relating to energy in Scotland.
England’s material footprint – Defra
Statistics on the material footprint, or raw material consumption, associated with final demand in England.
English Housing Survey – MHCLG
Information and publications on the English Housing Survey, which includes a low carbon technologies factsheet.
Low carbon energy – Welsh Government
Reducing carbon emissions, energy service.
Material flow and Material footprint accounts – ONS
Annual data on the UK’s domestic extraction, imports and exports and flow of materials (biomass, minerals and fossil fuels).
Transport energy and environment: fuel consumption data tables – DfT
Data about fuel consumption for different transport modes and fuel types, including petrol and diesel prices.
UK Statistics on Waste – Defra
Statistics on waste produced at a UK level.
Waste and recycling statistics – Defra
A series bringing together all documents relating to waste and recycling statistics. A digest of waste and resources statistics is also published.
Waste Data Interrogator – Environment Agency
Data on waste including waste received and removed at permitted sites.
Annual State of the Climate – American Meteorological Society, contributions from Met Office
A detailed update on global climate indicators, notable weather events, and other data collected by environmental monitoring stations and instruments located on land, water, ice, and in space.
Annual State of the UK Climate – Met Office
Annual publication which provides an up-to-date assessment of the UK climate.
Flood maps NI – Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland
An interactive map-viewer that enables users to access the latest Northern Ireland flood hazard information available from government.
Flooding and coastal erosion statistics – Welsh Government
Flood warnings and flood prevention statistics.
Flooding statistics – SEPA
Scottish live flood updates and long-term flood risk through flood maps.
Global Climate Dashboard – Met Office
A dashboard which gathers together the key indicators of climate change.
Gridded UK Climate Data – Met Office
A collection of gridded (1km x 1km resolution) climate variables informed by land surface observations across the UK.
Marine and coastal margins, natural capital accounts – ONS
Natural capital accounts containing information on the extent, condition and ecosystem services for marine and coastal areas in the UK.
Met Office Integrated Data Archive System (MIDAS) Open – Met Office
Hourly and daily weather measurements and observations of parameters relating to:
- temperature
- rainfall
- sunshine
- radiation
- wind
- weather observations such as present weather codes, cloud cover, snow etc.
UK climate time series – Met Office
Monthly, seasonal and annual climate series maintained by the Met Office National Climate Information Centre, available by region and climate parameter, such as temperature and sunshine.
UK sea fisheries annual statistics and Monthly UK sea fisheries statistics – MMO
Annual and monthly figures providing a broad picture of the UK fishing industry and its operations.
Water levels – SEPA
Scottish water levels information by station.
Water quality and abstraction statistics – Defra
A series bringing together all documents relating to water quality and abstraction statistics.
Water situation reports for England – Environment Agency
Monthly water situation reports and weekly rainfall and river flow reports.
Water statistics – Welsh Government
Water quality and management, sewers, drainage systems.
England Peat Map – Natural England
A map of England’s peaty soils, that models the extent, depth, and condition of our peat including vegetation and upland peat erosion and drainage feature.
Land Cover Maps – UKCEH
UK land cover maps describing the physical material on the surface of the UK, providing an uninterrupted national dataset of land cover classes from grassland, woodland and fresh water to urban and suburban built-up areas.
Local authority green belt statistics – MHCLG
A collection of annual documents relating to green belt statistics for England by Local Authority.
Open Data – NatureScot
Provides downloadable geospatial datasets and interactive maps on protected areas, species distributions, land use and habitat types
Peat usage in growing media production – Defra
Data on composition of growing media supplied for amateur and professional use horticultural markets.
Soil erosion and compaction risk – Defra
A standardised framework for classifying soil into simplified groups to assess soil structure, incorporating factors like erosion risk, drainage, and organic matter content.
Biodiversity and wildlife statistics –Defra
A series bringing together all documents relating to biodiversity and wildlife statistics.
England biodiversity indicators – Defra
A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services, Biodiversity indicators: 2024 assessment.
Forestry statistics – Forestry Commission
A compilation of statistics on woodland, forestry and primary wood processing in the UK.
State of Scotland nature report – NatureScot
A review of how nature in Scotland is faring, providing evidence of the twin biodiversity and climate crises.
Sustainable development indicators – Defra
A series bringing together all the Sustainable Development indicators.
Access to nature statistics – Defra
A series bringing together all documents relating to access to nature.
Overview of potential human pathogens in the environment – Environment Agency
Review of pathogens to which people can be exposed through water, land and air, now and in the future.
Standards for Official Statistics on Climate-Health interactions (SOSCHI) – ONS
A 4-year Wellcome funded project to develop a global framework for official statistics on climate and health. This project is in the final beta phase, with a current end date of June 2026. The framework aims to develop globally generalisable methods to better estimate climate-related health risk using real-world data sources, including modelling sub-national impacts.
Environment Statistics – Scottish Government
Environment statistics published by the Scottish Government, including greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint.
Environment Statistics from the Scottish Household Survey – Scottish Government
Key points from questions in the Scottish Household Survey relating to climate change and the environment.
Northern Ireland environmental statistics report – DAERA
An annual compendium which reports on a range of environmental indicators and provides links to government strategies.
Public Attitudes Tracker – DESNZ
A triannual survey on public awareness, behaviours and attitudes relating to the department’s policy areas.
Public Opinions and Social Trends – ONS, and Business Insights and Impact on the UK economy – ONS
Rapid surveys containing questions on public and business attitudes and actions to climate change, including climate risks and adaptation.
Scottish Climate Survey – Scottish Government
A survey of public awareness, attitudes and actions relating to climate change.
State of Natural Resources report – Natural Resources Wales
An assessment of the sustainable management of natural resources in Wales.
Defra group bodies publish a wide range of additional environmental statistics as well as food, farming, biosecurity, marine and rural. Although relevant, these are less in scope of the theme group.
Additional DESNZ statistics, such as fuel poverty, energy efficiency schemes and the National Energy Efficiency Data-Framework (NEED).
Wales Environmental Information Portal – Natural Resources Wales
Interactive information portal bringing together data about the natural environment in Wales.
Generally, no substantial changes are planned to existing publications in this theme.
Changes may be made in accordance with ongoing development work where required, for example on some of our accredited official statistics in development, such as Defra’s access to green space and indicators species abundance.
For example, in DESNZ:
- There is a focus on enhancing the accuracy and relevance of energy balances, price statistics, increasing scope of heat pump deployment data, as well as developing statistics in response to evolving government strategies, policy changes, and new schemes.
- Internal processes are being modernised for greater resilience and efficiency, including a transition to Reproducible Analytical Pipelines.
- Continuous improvements are also planned for greenhouse gas emissions statistics, supported by annual programmes and public engagement, to ensure transparency, accessibility, and consistency with international reporting standards.