Green group’s worst fears were confirmed yesterday when DEFRA published its overdue river health classifications revealing that not one water body in England could be deemed as being in good condition. Here’s what you need to know

National Parks have come under fire because wildlife is not thriving despite the protections afforded to the landscapes. But with huge areas to manage and budgets smaller than some primary schools they face significant challenges. James Fair reports

A major United Nations nature report highlights how global failure to achieve international biodiversity targets set 10 years ago is contributing to species extinctions which are accelerating at an unprecedented rate

The use of enforcement undertakings as a tool to deal with environmental offences has grown in recent years, with payouts now totalling nearly £18m. But details of most agreements are difficult to find, with information only briefly made public and hundreds now removed from view. Click through for the full list, compiled by ENDS

Environmental NGOs and campaigners are worried that the government’s planned reform of the judicial review process is unwarranted and could diminish access to environmental justice, reports Conor McGlone

DEFRA is consulting on a range of long-term targets for improving habitats, species, soil health and woodland cover, but in some cases baselines are yet to be identified, making goal setting tricky. James Fair reports

The government has signalled how it might set long term air quality targets as required under the Environment Bill but given its record on tackling air pollution, some doubt the final goals will be ambitious enough. David Burrows reports

The government’s rhetoric on overhauling the environmental impact assessment (EIA) regime has alarmed professionals, although most agree it could be improved. Catherine Early reports

Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan’s recent comments taking aim at the Water Framework Directive’s cornerstone ‘one out, all out’ rule have sparked a fierce row. Bevan says he has no intention of weakening green protections, but campaigners are alarmed. Adam Branson investigates

The government’s flagship biodiversity net gain policy is taking shape, with MPs due to resume their scrutiny of the legislation that will bring the measure into effect in September. How prepared are environmental consultancies and councils for net gain’s arrival?

The Environment Bill in its current form requires government to set at least one target in four priority areas: air quality, biodiversity, water, and resource efficiency and waste reduction. Here are the 18 targets DEFRA is considering as set out in its policy paper published yesterday