Environmental Information

What is Environmental Information?

Under the Environmental Information Regulations, 'environmental information' covers a broad range of topics, including:

The state of the environment (air, water, land, biodiversity, and ecosystems).
Factors affecting the environment (pollution, emissions, waste management, and energy use).
Policies, plans, and agreements impacting the environment.
Reports on environmental legislation and compliance.
Human health and safety in relation to environmental factors.

How to Access Environmental Information

Check our Published Information - We proactively publish environmental reports, policies, and data. Check our Publication Scheme for further information.
Make an EIR Request - If the information you need is not available, you can submit a request - make an EIR request.
Understand Your Rights - The regulations ensure public authorities provide information unless exemptions apply, such as national security or personal data protection.

Exemptions and when Information may be withheld

While we aim to be as open as possible, there are some exceptions where environmental information may not be disclosed. These include:

National Security & Public Safety - If releasing the information could threaten national security or public safety.

Confidentiality of Proceedings - Where disclosure would affect legal proceedings or investigations.

Personal Data Protection - If the information contains personal data protected under data protection laws.

Commercial Sensitivity - When disclosure would negatively impact business confidentiality or economic interests.

Voluntary Supply of Information - If the information was given voluntarily and its release would discourage future cooperation.

Unfinished Documents - Draft reports or incomplete data that are still under development.

Manifestly Unreasonable Requests - If the request is too broad, excessive, or would require disproportionate resources to fulfil.

Protection of the Environment (Habitats & Species) - If disclosure could harm rare, threatened, or protected species and habitats. This includes withholding exact locations of endangered species, nesting sites, or sensitive ecosystems to prevent disturbance, poaching, or habitat destruction.

If an exemption applies, we will explain why the information cannot be provided and whether any part of it can still be disclosed. We must also consider the public interest test, meaning we must balance the need for transparency against the potential risk of harm. If information is withheld, we will explain the reasons and whether any part of it can still be provided.