Website of the UK government

What counts as environmental information

Environmental information includes information about air, water, soil, land, plants and animals, energy, noise, waste and emissions. It also includes information about decisions, policies or activities that could affect these aspects of the environment.

How can you access the information?

There are a few ways to access information:

• public authorities have a duty to provide this information electronically, so you should check the website of the relevant authority
• if you cannot find the information you are looking for, you can request it from the relevant authority or organisation
• environmental information is often provided free of charge, but a charge can sometimes be made
• the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has a list of the sources of environmental information held by government departments and agencies, available by following the link below (it includes specialist and technical information)

Can a request for information be refused?

There are a number of exceptions in the legislation that allow a public authority to refuse to disclose the information.

These would be relevant in such cases where to release the information would damage:

• commercial interests
• international relations, defence, national security or public safety
• the course of justice and the ability of someone to receive a fair trial

Where information relates to emissions, there are far more limited exceptions under which information can be withheld.

Download an ‘Environmental Information Regulations’ document

If you cannot download the PDF leaflet from the link below, you can request a copy from the Defra Environmental Information Unit:

Telephone: 020 7270 8884

Email: environmentalinformationunit@defra.gsi.gov.uk

• Download 'Environmental Information Regulations' (PDF, 255K)
• Help with PDF files
• Defra register of environmental information sources Opens new window

More useful links

• A to Z of local councils