Fens 2100+ Partnership

Transforming the approach to investing in flood and coastal resilience for the future of the UK Fens

The Fens is one of the most distinctive landscapes in the UK. Once a natural marshland, it has become one of the most productive agricultural regions in the UK. The region underpins food security, economic productivity, and national infrastructure, producing a third of England’s vegetables and supporting 80,000 food chain jobs. 

The marshes were drained in the 17^th Century, using man-made engineering methods such as drainage systems, embankments and pumping stations. 87% of the Fens lies below mean spring tide level, making the area uniquely vulnerable to flooding and climate impacts. Being below sea level the water in the Fens must be constantly managed to ensure there is enough water for agriculture while also draining water off the landscape in heavy rain.

Following the second world war, in response to a demand for food production and catastrophic flood events there was significant investment in the Flood and Coastal Risk Management Assets (tidal defences, sluices, pumping stations etc). Many of the flood risk assets that were constructed at this time are still in place today and continue to protect the Fens from flooding.

What is Fens 2100+?

Fens2100+ is a partnership project bringing together the Environment Agency, the Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA), Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs), local authorities, the National Farmers Union (NFU), Anglian Water, and Natural England to develop a long-term plan to manage future flood risk in the Fens.

The Partnership aims to secure a climate resilient future for the Fens by aligning investment, strengthening system performance, and ensuring the decisions we take today are the right ones.

The Fens only function because a complex flood risk and water management asset system keeps the land dry.

It is a complex system of around 17,000 flood risk and water level management assets, such as pumping stations, tidal barriers, drainage channels and embanked defences.

This critical system is estimated to deliver more than £58bn worth of benefits – both through direct protection to people and properties, businesses, critical infrastructure, and agricultural land, and through indirect benefits to the local economy, for example through jobs, and the food and drink sector supply chain.

The above diagram shows how the Fens contributes to the UK economy, and the vulnerabilities it faces from being a lowland landscape

However, this flood risk and water management system faces significant challenges - many of the assets are reaching or beyond their design life, and under increasing pressure from climate related impacts including sea level rise, land subsidence from drying peat soils and more frequent flood events. If they fail, the consequences could be catastrophic.

The infographic below summarises the estimated economic impacts of flooding in the Fens under a ‘Do Nothing’ scenario. It shows how flood risk could lead to substantial long‑term costs across multiple sectors, including properties, agriculture, transport, utilities, the local economy, the environment, and heritage.

The graphic highlights that losses run into tens of billions of pounds, with major impacts on homes, businesses, infrastructure, and livelihoods, illustrating the scale and breadth of potential consequences if no further action is taken to manage flood risk.

To meet these challenges, we must rethink and transform our approach, embedding resilience, innovation and long-term planning into every decision.

Estimated Economic Impacts of Flooding in the Fens under a ‘Do Nothing’ Scenario

A Plan towards a nation resilient to flooding and coastal change

The Fens 2100+ Partnership have produced a series of reports. For the first time, we have a collective set of robust evidence and important insights about flood risk and asset performance across the Fens. This equips decision-makers to shape the future of the Fens with confidence and clarity.

Baseline Summary and Catchment Baseline Reports

The baseline summary report outlines evidence from the seven Catchment Baseline Reports. It brings together data and insights from risk management authorities (RMAs) on their experience of managing flood risk assets.

Information in the Catchment Baseline Reports includes the historical and environmental context, the function of flood risk assets and their economic impact, current and future flood risks and investment challenges and opportunities.

The image shows the front covers of the seven Catchment Baseline Reports, the baseline summary report and Case for Change

You can access the baseline summary report and catchment baseline reports on the gov.uk website. Our supporting video can be watched on YouTube. 

Case for Change

The Fens 2100+ Case for Change builds upon the Catchment Baseline Reports. The Case for Change:

• presents a unequivocal call to action to safeguard one of the United Kingdom’s most strategically important regions
• demonstrates that the Fens faces a combination of pressures that now demands decisive, coordinated and long-term intervention
• sets out a compelling, evidence-based rationale for transforming how flood, coastal, and water management infrastructure is planned, funded, and delivered across this critical region

Our Partnership Action Plan offers clear, practical steps that combine near-term risk mitigation with long-term transformation. The Fens2100+ partnership is focused on delivering this Partnership Action Plan.

Watch our video which explains why long-term adaptation is needed in the Fens.