Educate, Inspire and Empower
Educate, Inspire and Empower
One of the three strategic goals in EA2030, the Environment Agency’s new corporate strategy, is creating a nation resilient to climate change. We are responsible for leading and delivering on how we can achieve this ambition through reducing flood and coastal erosion risk across England – from strategy through programme and project delivery to on-ground actions and innovation. Our wider responsibilities involve the management of flood, water and navigation assets as well as ensuring England’s large reservoirs are operated and maintained safely.
With the increasing climate risk we know that communities are facing more frequent and severe flooding and will be impacted by sea level rise. Our most recent National Assessment of Flood Risk (NaFRA) and update to the National Coastal Erosion Risk Mapping (NCERM) database are stark reminders of the challenge ahead: around 6 million properties are at risk from flooding – whether from rivers, the sea or surface water. And when we factor in future climate change impacts, this could rise to around 8 million over the next 30 years.
This risk extends far beyond homes and businesses. It threatens agricultural land and vital infrastructure including roads, energy supplies and water networks. That’s why the Government is investing a record £4,2 billion to better protect homes and communities across the 3-year period from 2026/27. We also maintain hundreds of thousands of assets across the country on a day-to-day basis to reduce this risk.
To deliver on these programmes, we need engineers, data scientists, ecologists, project managers, and local community champions. If we want better outcomes for our communities, for the environment, and for the next generation, we must embrace diversity at every level. A more inclusive construction industry, where varied voices are heard and valued, will produce more resilient, responsive and innovative solutions. We know that diverse teams bring broader perspectives, challenge assumptions, and create designs that meet the needs of the people who use them.
That’s why initiatives like Constructing Change matter. By creating welcoming pathways into construction careers and amplifying the voices of lived experience, we are bridging skills gaps, and we are reshaping what the industry looks like and who it’s for, and ensuring we can build the skills we need to meet future challenges.
We have actively volunteered with Constructing Change, including attending school site days and sharing career journeys across a range of roles from engineering to commercial leadership. We have made project sites available to support Constructing Change’s “Educate – Learning in Action” programme.
The Environment Agency is proud to be part of a network of partners supporting the Constructing Change initiative. By empowering individuals from a range of backgrounds, we are widening our talent pool – allowing us to draw from a broader, richer range of skills and experiences. That makes it far more likely that we’re hiring the best people we can.
As we face the very real threats of climate change and rising flood risk, it’s more important than ever that we respond not just with urgency, but with inclusivity, creativity and courage.
Categories: Insights