ESA Launch Annual Survey and ‘Vision 2040 Report’ to Help Government Shape UK Environmental Strategy

The Environmental Services Association (ESA), Groundwork and LetsRecycle have opened the National Environmental Services Survey 2025, which is set to be the most in-depth iteration yet.

Building on the insights gathered from last year’s survey, which highlighted sector-wide concerns around shortages of skills, offsetting transparency, and a slow pace toward net-zero, the 2025 survey takes a more forward-looking approach.

It invites professionals across the environmental space to comment on emerging themes that are rapidly shaping the sector’s future.

Areas being explored are:

• Increasing role of AI and digital innovation in sustainability.
• Growing relevance of nature-based solutions, and how the industry is adapting infrastructure to meet climate resilience demands.
• Shifting attitudes around carbon offsetting and greenwashing, as well as the real-world progress – or lack of it – on biodiversity net gain and sustainable supply chains.

Rob Mowat, Managing Director of the Environmental Services & Solutions Expo, which leads the survey’s delivery, described it as “a powerful tool in shaping national policy and industry action.” He emphasised the importance of diverse voices feeding into the process, noting that insight from the frontline is essential to drive meaningful environmental progress in the UK.

The findings will once again be shared with Defra and the Environment Agency to help shape upcoming environmental strategies and legislation. For those working in the sector, this is a valuable opportunity to contribute directly to that process.

The survey takes less than ten minutes to complete and remains open until 26 June 2025. Click here to take part.

For the LetsRecycle article on the survey, it’s here.

This also comes as RECOUP attended the ESA’s ‘Vision 2040’ Report launch in London on Wednesday 4 June. Delegates from all areas of the waste management, food & beverage and packaging industries were in attendance and heard speeches from Michael Topham, ESA Chairman and CEO of Biffa, Mary Creagh MP, and Professor Paul Ekins from UCL.

A central message throughout was the urgent need for collaboration – not only to realise the environmental advantages of a circular economy, but also to seize the significant financial opportunity it offers.

Minister Creagh stated that the report aligns with the government’s mission for a circular economy. A circular economy roadmap to 2040 can be expected to be released in Spring 2026.

Click here to access the ESA’s new report, and here for more information via LetsRecycle’s Vision 2040 summary article.