Refreshing the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) for England

The National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy for England is being refreshed to ensure we continue to progress towards the ambition of: “A nation ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change – today, tomorrow and to the year 2100.”

This page has been developed to provide more information on how and when the refresh to the Strategy will take place, and to support you in getting involved in the public consultation later in 2026.

Your insights and participation will play an important role in shaping the refreshed National FCERM Strategy for England and ensuring it reflects the challenges and opportunities we face together.


What is the National FCERM Strategy for England?

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 requires the Environment Agency to develop, maintain, apply and monitor a national strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England.

The current National FCERM Strategy for England was published in 2020. It sets out a long-term vision for “a nation ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change – today, tomorrow and to the year 2100”.

The Strategy is underpinned by a Strategy Roadmap to 2026. This sets out the detailed delivery plan for all partners involved in achieving the Strategy’s outcomes. This includes:

  • the Environment Agency
  • local authorities
  • internal drainage boards
  • water companies
  • highways authorities
  • other infrastructure providers
  • farmers
  • insurers
  • environmental organisations
  • community groups

The National FCERM Strategy for England sets out the ambition and practical actions needed to help our nation be better prepared, ready to respond and quicker to recover from flooding and coastal change. It sets the direction for operational activities and the decision making of everyone involved in flood and coastal erosion risk management aligned to latest government policy.


Why is the National FCERM Strategy being refreshed?

We have a legal responsibility to review the Strategy and committed to do this in 2026. Emma Hardy, the Floods and Water Minister, has sent a letter to the Environment Agency setting out her priorities for the review.

As well as a legal commitment, there are several factors which mean that now is the right time to refresh the FCERM Strategy.

These factors include:

  • a new assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk has been recently completed giving a better understanding of the scale of current and future flood risk from rivers, the sea, surface water and coastal erosion

  • progress has been made on managing flood and coastal risk since 2020 with over 90% of the FCERM Strategy Roadmap actions now complete or on track

  • hundreds of FCERM projects have been completed since 2020 better protecting over 116,000 properties and over 160,000 hectares of agricultural land

  • since 2020, learning and innovation from the Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme and Natural Flood Management Programmes have been demonstrating new approaches to adapting to flood and coastal change

  • strengthened government priorities and policies, including a new FCERM funding policy and a 10-year flood investment programme


Who is involved in refreshing the National FCERM Strategy?

The FCERM Strategy Refresh cannot be effectively undertaken by us working on our own. To help us to undertake the refresh of the FCERM Strategy, an advisory group will provide us with advice and steer, as well as providing influence through their wider networks. The advisory group, made up of representatives from key partners, has a fundamental role in successfully shaping the refreshed Strategy. You can see the membership of the advisory group here.

Early in 2026, we carried out a survey to gather reflections from stakeholders on the current FCERM Strategy. The survey also asked for priority areas of focus for the refresh. Over 125 responses were received, representing a range of organisations. You can find a summary of these responses here.


How you can get involved in the refresh of the National FCERM Strategy

We are engaging with stakeholders on the refresh to the Strategy through spring and early summer of 2026. We will also consult the public later in 2026.

Later in 2026, the public consultation will be live for you to share your views with us on the refreshed strategic objectives and measures. This page will be updated regularly to provide the information you need to take part in the consultation.


The National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy for England is being refreshed to ensure we continue to progress towards the ambition of: “A nation ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change – today, tomorrow and to the year 2100.”

This page has been developed to provide more information on how and when the refresh to the Strategy will take place, and to support you in getting involved in the public consultation later in 2026.

Your insights and participation will play an important role in shaping the refreshed National FCERM Strategy for England and ensuring it reflects the challenges and opportunities we face together.


What is the National FCERM Strategy for England?

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 requires the Environment Agency to develop, maintain, apply and monitor a national strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England.

The current National FCERM Strategy for England was published in 2020. It sets out a long-term vision for “a nation ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change – today, tomorrow and to the year 2100”.

The Strategy is underpinned by a Strategy Roadmap to 2026. This sets out the detailed delivery plan for all partners involved in achieving the Strategy’s outcomes. This includes:

  • the Environment Agency
  • local authorities
  • internal drainage boards
  • water companies
  • highways authorities
  • other infrastructure providers
  • farmers
  • insurers
  • environmental organisations
  • community groups

The National FCERM Strategy for England sets out the ambition and practical actions needed to help our nation be better prepared, ready to respond and quicker to recover from flooding and coastal change. It sets the direction for operational activities and the decision making of everyone involved in flood and coastal erosion risk management aligned to latest government policy.


Why is the National FCERM Strategy being refreshed?

We have a legal responsibility to review the Strategy and committed to do this in 2026. Emma Hardy, the Floods and Water Minister, has sent a letter to the Environment Agency setting out her priorities for the review.

As well as a legal commitment, there are several factors which mean that now is the right time to refresh the FCERM Strategy.

These factors include:

  • a new assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk has been recently completed giving a better understanding of the scale of current and future flood risk from rivers, the sea, surface water and coastal erosion

  • progress has been made on managing flood and coastal risk since 2020 with over 90% of the FCERM Strategy Roadmap actions now complete or on track

  • hundreds of FCERM projects have been completed since 2020 better protecting over 116,000 properties and over 160,000 hectares of agricultural land

  • since 2020, learning and innovation from the Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme and Natural Flood Management Programmes have been demonstrating new approaches to adapting to flood and coastal change

  • strengthened government priorities and policies, including a new FCERM funding policy and a 10-year flood investment programme


Who is involved in refreshing the National FCERM Strategy?

The FCERM Strategy Refresh cannot be effectively undertaken by us working on our own. To help us to undertake the refresh of the FCERM Strategy, an advisory group will provide us with advice and steer, as well as providing influence through their wider networks. The advisory group, made up of representatives from key partners, has a fundamental role in successfully shaping the refreshed Strategy. You can see the membership of the advisory group here.

Early in 2026, we carried out a survey to gather reflections from stakeholders on the current FCERM Strategy. The survey also asked for priority areas of focus for the refresh. Over 125 responses were received, representing a range of organisations. You can find a summary of these responses here.


How you can get involved in the refresh of the National FCERM Strategy

We are engaging with stakeholders on the refresh to the Strategy through spring and early summer of 2026. We will also consult the public later in 2026.

Later in 2026, the public consultation will be live for you to share your views with us on the refreshed strategic objectives and measures. This page will be updated regularly to provide the information you need to take part in the consultation.


Page last updated: 07 May 2026, 05:32 PM