Daily Digest for

England’s Environment Agency published new data showing 6.3 million properties are at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea, and surface water. The updated National Assessment of Flood Risk (NaFRA) and National Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM) now include the latest UK climate projections. The agency is investing over £1 billion this year in flood defences to enhance national resilience.

New Zealand has introduced the Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to establish a regulatory regime for offshore wind generation. The bill aims to provide investors with the confidence to construct offshore wind assets, supporting the country’s goal of doubling renewable energy. It introduces feasibility and commercial permits for offshore renewable energy projects, with the regime expected to be in place by mid-2025.

New Zealand passed the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill, ending a near 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab. The legislation aims to modernize laws to unlock scientific potential, including better cancer treatments and increased agricultural productivity. A regulator will be established under the Environmental Protection Authority, with the regime expected to be operational by 2025.