The Environment Agency is the leading public body protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. It is responsible for the practical implementation of many aspects of EU and domestic environmental legislation. It is an independent agency of the government, responsible to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and to the National Assembly for Wales. The Agency also works closely with nature conservation agencies, Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales, and with local authorities.

The Environment Agency's main objectives are to provide a better environment for England and Wales, and contribute towards the goals of sustainable development. This is achieved through environment management and regulation, and also through educating, influencing and working in partnerships with others.

The Environment Agency's Evidence Directorate focuses on the acquisition, development and transfer of new knowledge to the Environment Agency, to meet operational and policy needs. The two documents below help summarise what we do in further detail.

EA_Evidence Guide June 2010

EA_evidence_pyramid

The SKEP network secretariat is currently based within the Evidence Directorate.

Further information can be found on the Environment Agency website.