organizationGovernmentUnited Kingdom

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

The UK Government ministerial department responsible for the environment, food, farming, and rural affairs.

GOV.UK - Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is a UK Government ministerial department tasked with protecting the environment, supporting the fishing, farming, and food industries, and sustaining rural communities. Its remit includes biodiversity, animal welfare, water resources, flood and coastal erosion risk management, and the growth of a green economy.

Defra operates as a core department supported by a network of approximately 36 agencies and public bodies, including the Environment Agency, Natural England, and the Forestry Commission. It is overseen by a Defra Board and led by a Secretary of State appointed by the Prime Minister.

To support transparency and open data, the department operates the Defra Data Services Platform, making environmental data available to a wide range of users.

Ideas that could help Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

Plume-Based Emission Apportionment Analytics
A software tool for city planners that converts curbside plume measurements into a detailed map of which vehicle manufacturers and classes contribute most to local air pollution.
Why it helps: Can use source apportionment to better understand the real-world impact of different vehicle manufacturers on UK air quality.