A new Environmental Destination framework
To help secure a sustainable water future for the UK and Ireland, HR Wallingford partnered with APEM and WSP to develop the Environmental Destination Investigation Framework. Commissioned by UKWIR, this innovative framework complements the National Framework for Water Resources and provides a clear, collaborative path for water companies, regulators, and other abstractors to work toward a shared environmental vision.
Balancing supply with sustainability
Water abstractors across the UK and Ireland face a complex challenge: ensuring reliable water supplies while restoring and protecting the natural water environment. With climate change intensifying pressures on freshwater ecosystems, there was an urgent need for a unified, practical approach to guide all abstractors - public and private - toward a long-term, sustainable water resources regime, known as an Environmental Destination.
UKWIR needed a framework that was:
- flexible across sectors and geographies
- legally and policy-aligned with each nation
- evidence-based and future-focused
- collaborative in nature
- complementary to existing initiatives
A practical, science-driven framework
At the heart of the framework is a shared definition of Environmental Destination:
Future freshwater low flow and habitat resilience with more biodiversity and healthier hydroecology, affordably balanced with sustainable water use for all sectors in the long term.
The framework provides a step-by-step guide to help abstractors:
- assess the current and future state of their local water environments
- understand ecological impacts of abstraction
- prioritise actions that enhance biodiversity and hydroecological health
- plan for long-term water security in a changing climate
Tools for action: empowering every abstractor
To support implementation, we developed a suite of tools that allows abstractors to:
- generate baseline and future flow scenarios for their sites, and
- evaluate the security of their abstraction licences under future conditions
This ensures that abstractors of all sizes and sectors can engage meaningfully with the framework and understand the implication of Environmental Destination for their abstractions, regardless of their technical capacity.
A framework for action
The Environmental Destination Framework has the potential to transform how water is managed across the UK and Ireland. Abstractors now have a clear, actionable roadmap to:
- protect and enhance freshwater ecosystems
- collaborate more effectively across sectors
- make informed, future-proof decisions about water use
A blueprint for a nature-positive future
By aligning environmental goals with operational needs, the framework is helping to build a resilient, nature-positive water future — one where people, ecosystems, and industries can thrive together.
Working towards a shared Environmental Destination
The Environmental Destination Investigation Framework provides a clear, collaborative path for water companies, regulators, and other abstractors to work toward a shared environmental vision. Here’s an example of the impact they might work-towards delivering, together.
Present day
Future freshwater low flow and habitat resilience with more biodiversity and healthier hydroecology, affordably balanced with sustainable water use for all sectors in the long term.
By 2030
Quick win catchment schemes, that allow for more wetland habitats to develop to support natural processes, begin to take effect. Existing abstraction continues whilst new supply schemes are developed.
By 2050
A more sustainable water resource regime that supports healthier hydroecology as longer-term catchment schemes and Strategic Resource Options come into effect. Present day abstraction licence reductions take effect, supporting more natural low flows in the river.
Contact our project lead
Andrew Ball
