The Environment Agency (EA) has published a new position statement setting out its approach to using nature-based solutions (NbS) to support sustainable water resources across England.
Published on 28 May 2026, the document outlines how catchment-scale interventions such as wetland restoration, floodplain reconnection, soil management, river restoration and natural water storage can contribute to improving water availability, resilience and environmental outcomes.
The position statement is aimed at water companies, regional water resources groups, local authorities, environmental organisations, farmers and landowners. It forms part of a wider regulatory and policy shift towards integrating nature-based approaches into long-term water resources planning.
According to the EA, nature-based solutions can help restore the natural water regulation functions of catchments by slowing runoff, increasing infiltration, supporting groundwater recharge, improving water quality and enhancing natural water storage. The agency said these approaches can also deliver wider benefits including biodiversity improvements, carbon sequestration and greater resilience to climate change.
However, the regulator emphasised that nature-based solutions should not be viewed as a replacement for conventional water resource measures where significant supply deficits exist. The statement notes that reducing or modifying unsustainable abstraction remains the primary mechanism for addressing ecological impacts on rivers and groundwater bodies.
Instead, the EA positions nature-based solutions as complementary measures that can contribute to water resource resilience when developed as part of a wider portfolio of interventions.
The document sets out a series of guiding principles for the application of nature-based solutions, including the need for catchment-scale planning, robust evidence, monitoring and adaptive management. The EA also highlights the importance of understanding local environmental conditions and ensuring projects are designed to deliver measurable outcomes.
The EA said it plans to publish a dedicated handbook on nature-based solutions for water resources during summer 2026. The handbook is expected to provide practical guidance on project design, delivery and evidence requirements, helping organisations incorporate nature-based approaches into water resource schemes.
