National FCERM Strategy refresh

The Environment Agency is this year starting a review of its statutory Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy for England, working closely with Defra and other stakeholders.

It is a legally requirement to periodically refresh the Strategy under the Flood & Water Management Act 2010. This will update and strengthen the strategic long-term framework for flood and coastal resilience, reflecting Ministers’ priorities, as well as changes to our understanding of both current and future flood and coastal erosion risk. The revised Strategy will define what ‘good’ flood resilience looks like and the roles of the various delivery partners that contribute to it. Risk management authorities (RMAs) already have a statutory requirement to act in a manner consistent with the Strategy. The Environment Agency works closely with RMAs to ensure that the Strategy is understood and implemented.

As the EA continues to work towards this collective vision of a nation resilient to flooding and coastal change, and reflect on change since 2020 such as latest risk evidence, learning from our flood and coastal innovation programme, recent flood and storm events, and new government policy – now is the right time to revisit and strengthen our strategic direction.

The Environment Agency is hosting an initial one-hour webinar to discuss the refresh of the FCERM Strategy for England at 11.00 on Friday 08 May 2026. This presentation from the Environment Agency will walk you through why the strategy is being refreshed, what’s driving the change, and how you can play a part.

Click here to register for this webinar

---