CIWM Summary review of Infrastructure Commission and Committee outputs and links to resources and waste sector

Introduction

CIWM’s Infrastructure, Services and Operations specialist expert group (SEG) were tasked with reviewing the output from The National Infrastructure Authority, Committee and Commissions, across the UK to indicate findings or relevance for the resources and waste sector.

During November 2025 a desktop review was undertaken of recent publications and previous versions for each country and summarised.

National Infrastructure Commission

The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) produces a National Infrastructure Assessment every five years, providing an evaluation of the UK’s infrastructure needs to 2050 and beyond.

10 Oct 2024 –a new National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) was announced and was formed by 1 April 2025. NISTA will ensure the government’s strategies for infrastructure and service transformation deliver the growth and opportunity the country needs. NISTA’s creation is part of a three-pronged strategy to tackle underinvestment and instability in the UK’s infrastructure systems. It will strengthen the institutional framework for infrastructure strategy and delivery and sits alongside the development of a 10-year infrastructure strategy.

UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy

The UK 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy published 19 June 2025 is set to deliver on the Government’s growth mission, as part of the Plan for Change.

The Strategy sets out a long-term plan for how the government will invest in infrastructure and ensure that funding is spent effectively and efficiently, marking a new approach to how projects are planned and delivered.

Comments to note

• This is the first time that the UK has set out a long-term Strategy that brings together economic infrastructure (transport, energy, water and wastewater, waste, digital and flood risk management) with housing and social infrastructure (hospitals, schools, colleges, and prisons and courts).
• There is strong alignment between the Strategy and the plans of the devolved governments. In largely reserved areas, like energy and digital infrastructure, the Strategy will deliver for the whole country. [1]
• NISTA will lead the development of the government’s national infrastructure spatial tool: a single digital platform bringing together strategies, data and tools, including AI, to identify local infrastructure needs and constraints (e.g. energy, water and wastewater, transport, flood risk, digital telecoms) for housing, industrial growth and land use scenarios.

• For the first time ever, NISTA now requires programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio to provide high level reporting on topics such as resource usage and biodiversity.

Becoming a clean energy superpower

Under this heading there is clear mention of the resources and waste sector.

• Decarbonising the waste sector: transitioning to a circular economy, reducing our reliance on landfill and incineration, and ensuring that new energy from waste plants are carbon capture ready.

• • The waste sector is responsible for around 6% of UK emissions – the largest share of this comes from landfill, followed by energy from waste and then wastewater.[2] The sector will work towards decarbonisation by increasing recycling rates, diverting more waste away from landfill and incineration, and by tackling emissions from waste plants.
  • Progress has been slower than ideal as household recycling rates in England have stalled at around 45% since 2015.[3] The government’s Collection and Packaging Reforms set out measures to address this.[4] Achieving a more circular economy also has significant benefits for the environment and resource efficiency. See Chapter 6 for further details on these reforms, as well as the government’s plans for a circular economy strategy.
  • The government has also introduced strict conditions on new energy from waste plants to ensure emissions are reduced.[5] The UK Emissions Trading Scheme will also be expanded to energy from waste from 2028.[6] Alongside this, landfill tax will continue to reduce emissions from landfill.

Carbon Capture Usage and Storage

The key first steps have already been taken by government on CCUS.

Energy from waste is the main area for the resources and waste sector to make gains by carbon capture.

In October 2024 government announced a major investment in the UK’s first CCUS clusters in the North East (East Coast) where both Viridor and Suez are developing major facilities and North West (HyNet) where Viridor and Encyclis have energy from waste facilities. With East Coast and HyNet contracts signed in December 2024 and April 2025 respectively.

Improving the Environment

Chapter 6 is where mention of net zero and circular economy is made in relation to seeing the environment as a natural asset linked to GDP. As well as outlining progress or planned policy progress for resources and waste management.

• In combination with government work in other areas, driven by the Environment Improvement Plan (EIP), this Strategy will support improvements in the environment through investments in net zero, water resources, and the circular economy.
• Investment in net zero, water resources, and the circular economy: mitigating climate change, cleaning up rivers, lakes and seas, and improving resource efficiency.
• The shift towards a more circular economy represents an opportunity to make industry and society more resource efficient and economically resilient. The government will publish proposals for a Circular Economy Strategy for England in Autumn 2025. Development of the strategy will be supported by a Circular Economy Taskforce which has already identified six sectors key to driving circularity – agrifood, textiles, transport, built environment, chemicals and plastics, and electricals – alongside a wide range of cross-cutting drivers such as skills and access to finance.
• The government’s Collection and Packaging Reforms will increase recycling rates. These reforms are estimated to help stimulate £10 billion of investment in recycling infrastructure. The package of measures includes:
  • Simpler Recycling reforms ensures households and workplaces collect the same materials, producing a constant feedstock of recyclables. By 2027, mandatory collection of flexible plastics will also be in place.
  • Packaging and Extended Producer Responsibility obliges producers of packaging to pay the costs of managing and disposing of packaging.
  • Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers will launch in October 2027.
• In addition, the Plastic Packaging Tax will provide an economic incentive for businesses to manufacture using recycled plastic. Businesses will be permitted to use a mass balance approach to evidence the amount of recycled plastic for the purposes of the Tax. The government intends to implement this change from April 2027.
• The Timber in Construction Roadmap was launched in February 2025 with increased ambition including encouraging the use of sustainable, low carbon building materials, supporting government’s commitment to 1.5 million homes.

Deploying renewable electricity

• At the Saltend Chemicals Park, Pensana is building the world’s first renewables powered rare earth metal processing facility, which will supply inputs needed for manufacturing electric vehicles and offshore wind technology, creating local jobs and a UK based supply chain for low carbon technologies, as well as supporting the move to a more circular economy.

CIWM reaction

This Strategy sets out a long-term plan for key infrastructure, but you have to look hard to find resources and waste. There is much talk of policy initiatives under collection reforms, but the sector knows this all impacts on current infrastructure layouts and investment is needed to update, upgrade and increase capacity. Delays in implementation only make investors more nervous.

CIWM also indicated (September 2025) through Early Careers Ambassador Olalekan Olatunji FGS, CRWM, AFHEA, MRSC, that to reach net zero (as indicated above as an investment area) requires a complete overhaul of the nation’s infrastructure and economy. This transformation extends beyond cleaner energy and requires the widespread adoption of circular economy principles, as well as the development of sustainable infrastructure.

CIWM Infrastructure, Services and Operations SEG

CIWM’s SEG considered the infrastructure assessments and Strategy from a practical, operational point of view and key points include:

• Policy delays affect the ability of the resources and waste sector to plan effectively.
• Changes all at once impact on an already changing sector, which is always adapting to new materials and current regulatory updates.
• Recycling rates have stagnated.
• The sector is keen to build infrastructure but changes to make this favourable are not happening as quickly as required, so there is little investment or final decisions being made. 
• Regulators are sometimes unaware of the number of facilities that are built.
• Plus, the Resources and Waste Strategy does not go beyond 2024.

This has been prepared by members of the CIWM Infrastructure, Services and Operations SEG

For further information contact: technical@ciwm.co.uk

June 2026

Context and Background

The UK’s Second National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA2), published in October 2023 (following an earlier baseline report in November 2021) by the National Infrastructure Commission, was a 30-year plan for infrastructure development to support regional growth and the net-zero target. It addressed challenges like grid capacity and connectivity and recommended key investments, such as decarbonising energy, transport, and buildings, while also focusing on increasing resilience, especially against climate change. Key recommendations included a shift toward long-term, devolved funding for local authorities, creating a strategic energy reserve, and improving digital infrastructure.

Key findings and recommendations

• Net Zero and Climate Change: The report recommended significant infrastructure investment to help the UK achieve its net-zero goals.
  • It supported backing electrification and adding low-carbon flexible technologies to the electricity system.
  • It emphasised the need for greater resilience in infrastructure to handle the impacts of climate change, such as extreme heat and flooding.
  • It recommended the development of engineered greenhouse gas removals to address emissions from hard-to-abate sectors like aviation and shipping.
• Regional Growth: The assessment argued that infrastructure investment is crucial for rebalancing the UK’s economy and supporting regional growth.
• Digital Infrastructure: It highlighted the vital role of modern, resilient digital infrastructure in driving sustainable economic growth.
  • Recommendations included accelerating the deployment of 5G technology through local authority support and creating consistent planning approvals.
• Transport and Connectivity: The report called for a transformation in transport networks.
  • It suggested moving away from centrally allocated funding for transport towards flexible, long-term, devolved budgets for local authorities.
  • It stressed the need for a more coordinated approach to interurban transport planning across different modes.
• Energy Security: The report recommended creating a new strategic energy reserve to enhance Great Britain’s economic security.
• Resilience Standards: It advised the government to publish clear resilience standards for key sectors by 2025 to ensure infrastructure can withstand future challenges.
• Other areas: The assessment also covered areas like waste and wastewater management, with a focus on increasing recycling capacity and the circular economy.

Royal Town and Planning Institute reaction

RTPI stated the report contained many important recommendations, including the need for policy clarity and stability. Out-of-date National Policy Statements (NPSs) have long been recognised as a barrier to the speedy delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP). NIA2 had repeated the call in NIA1 to make five-yearly reviews of key NPSs a legal requirement.

CIWM reaction

CIWM commented on this second assessment which sets out three challenges for UK infrastructure:

• Decarbonising energy and achieving net zero emissions
• Supporting economic growth across all regions
• Improving climate resilience and the environment (including waste)

Inclusion of the resources and waste sector in the NIA2 was a refreshing change, given that it was missing in action in the first assessment published in 2018.

Calls and recommendations for the resources and waste sector:

• Recommendation number 36 calling on the government to accelerate progress towards 65% recycling by 2035.
• Call for implementation of ‘simpler recycling’
• Call for better data on the composition and fate of resources and waste to create the right infrastructure in the right place.
• Recommendation number 37 calls on the government to create stronger incentives for investment in the recycling infrastructure that will be needed in the future and recommends that the building of new energy from waste (EfW) plants that are not carbon capture and storage ready should not be progressed through the Planning System.
• Recommendation 37 also calls for EfW to be included in the UK Emission Trading Scheme by 2028 and that landfill tax should keep rising to ensure that landfill is always more expensive than EfW.

National Infrastructure Commission Wales

The National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW) was established in 2018 as an independent, non-statutory, advisory body to Welsh Ministers. Its key purpose is to analyse, advise and make recommendations on Wales’ longer term strategic economic and environmental infrastructure needs over a 5–80-year period.

In its annual report of 2024, there is one relevant objective: Build a stronger, greener economy as we make maximum progress towards decarbonisation.

No mention of waste, resources or relevant circular economy.

Infrastructure Commission for Scotland

The Infrastructure Commission for Scotland was established by Scottish Government to provide independent, informed advice on the nation’s vision, ambition and priorities to create a 30-year infrastructure strategy to meet the country’s future economic growth and societal needs.

The Commission concluded its work in July 2020. Key Findings Report was published.

Making the most of existing assets

Most of the underlying infrastructure that will be used in 30-years’ time already exists today. It is therefore essential that these assets are most effectively and efficiently utilised, maintained and enhanced to net zero carbon readiness.

• By the end of 2020, the Scottish Government should require all public sector infrastructure asset owners to develop asset management strategies containing a presumption in favour of enhancing, re-purposing, or maintaining existing infrastructure over developing options for new infrastructure. New infrastructure should only be considered where the relevant authority has demonstrated this is the most appropriate response.
• To support this, the Scottish Government should now prepare guidance for relevant authorities on a whole-life approach to infrastructure maintenance and prioritisation which includes both cost and build resources. It should also include guidance on assessing the wider net zero carbon and inclusive economic growth priorities that need to be established.
• There should also be a presumption against like-for-like replacement of existing assets and the construction of new, single organisation/purpose assets in favour of shared facilities.
• To support the creation of a vibrant circular economy for Scotland, by 2023 the Scottish Government should establish a route map for the implementation of a viable outcome focused system of resource use, reduction, collection, treatment and repurposing.

Views of the wider public

• Young participants gave a greater emphasis on support for solutions that will enable a zero-carbon future, although it was notable that this thread was not linked to support for the circular economy, perhaps suggesting a disconnect between the commitment to NZC and practice

Waste Management

In order to reduce waste and the exploitation of natural resources, the Scottish Government has stated a clear intention to develop a circular economy for Scotland.

In November 2019, it launched a consultation on legislative proposals for developing Scotland’s circular economy. This sets out a number of its key targets and strategies over the next 5 to 6 years include the following:

• A minimum of 60% recycling rate for household waste by 2020
• Ban on all non-biodegradable municipal solid waste to landfill by 2025
• A 15% reduction below 2011 levels in tonnes of waste generated, of which a 33% reduction below 2013 levels in per capita food waste tonnage by 2025
• A maximum 5% of waste to landfill by 2025
• A minimum of 70% of all waste being recycled by 2025
• Introduction of “Deposit Return Scheme” for plastic and glass bottles and metal cans during 2021

The proposed approach focuses on tackling Scotland’s throwaway culture through banning the use of single use items and attaching a “value” to goods previously seen as disposable, for example charging for single use beverage cups. It also wishes to encourage an increase in the use and reuse of goods – for example, encouraging the reuse and redistribution of unwanted surplus stock, such as clothing and textiles – as well as maximising recycling opportunities and improved enforcement of statutory provisions designed to underpin these policy proposals.

For example, the Commission was informed that at present, Scotland’s waste collection, recycling and repurposing system is complex and fragmented. There appears to be a lack of real understanding and data about the types and quantities of material currently going through our waste system. As a consequence, there is limited ability at present to establish a reasonably accurate estimate of the scale of how much material is available for recycling, reuse and repurposing. Without such an understanding, it is difficult to determine the most effective and efficient systems for circular waste management in Scotland.

In addition, the current system of waste management in Scotland is not geared or designed around the resource opportunities that the reprocessing of recycled waste will bring.

The above comments are not intended to be a pessimistic or negative view of the opportunities that will arise from the development of a circular economy – more a realistic assessment of where we are and what needs to be implemented if these welcome but ambitious plans are to be delivered.

Other suggestions raised with the Commission include developing greater transparency and clarity within waste stream data so that it can be subjected to thorough economic analysis. At present, accurate, reliable and comprehensive date on some waste streams is lacking. Finally, there was a recognition that more needs to be done to encourage a pace of change which will make progress in reducing the overall consumption of resources.

Reliable data collection, that is available to policy makers, is a priority and should not be confined to the private sector. Public bodies with data relating to waste should be expected to share it more widely so that the full benefits and requirements of a circular economy can be analysed.

Infrastructure resilience and adaptability was also a key stakeholder concern, and ranged from specifics around climate resilience and how flood management is being co-ordinated to the wider issue of how infrastructure design and investment is planned to ensure its resilience.

The Scottish Government’s 2nd Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme identifies 7 key outcomes, including infrastructure resilience.

On this basis it is recommended that:

• To support the creation of a vibrant circular economy for Scotland, by 2023 the Scottish Government should establish a route map for the implementation of a viable outcome focused system of resource use, reduction, collection, treatment and repurposing.
• Drawing upon available evidence, including the 2nd Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme, by 2023, the Scottish Government should develop a clear implementation plan, to address critical natural and built infrastructure climate resilience and adaptation needs.

Committee for Infrastructure – Northern Ireland

The Committee for Infrastructure (operational from 2021) is a Northern Ireland Assembly committee established to advise, assist and scrutinise the work of the Department for Infrastructure and the Minister for Infrastructure. The committee also plays a key role in the consultation, consideration and development of new legislation. Until 2016, the committee was called the Committee for Regional Development.

Ministerial Advisory Panel on Infrastructure – Report presents the findings of an independent Ministerial Advisory Panel on Infrastructure (MAPI), which was established in late August 2020.

• The unequivocal recommendation of the Panel is that an Infrastructure Commission, with a clear remit and the support of the entire Northern Ireland Executive, should be established as soon as practical.
• The Infrastructure Commission should set a longer-term vision for 30+ years, aimed at improving societal wellbeing, environmental performance, and economic growth.
• The Commission should advise Government on all elements of Northern Ireland’s economic infrastructure. This is defined as: energy, roads, rail and bus, water and wastewater (drainage and sewerage), waste, flood risk management and digital communications.
• The Commission should publish a ‘2050 Vision’ with outcomes for infrastructure provision.
• Climate change is widely seen as one of the key risks and drivers for our infrastructure development. The sector needs certainty around long term policy regarding both climate change adaptation and mitigation. The Commission’s vision should include delivering the net-zero targets by 2050, if not before.

There needs to be focus on energy and resource efficiency and how to develop the circular economy in Northern Ireland, this will help not only the environment but also to ensure businesses are competitive.

Download this summary here. 

[1] Devolution settlements are often complex. Individual schemes should therefore be considered on a case-by-case basis. However, this is a broad indication of devolved and reserved responsibilities: Flood risk, Waste, Water, Health, Education, Justice (except for Wales) and Housing are devolved responsibilities.

[2] The Seventh Carbon Budget, Committee on Climate Change, 2025

[3] UK statistics on waste, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2024

[4] Simpler Recycling in England: policy update, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024

[5] Government to crack down on waste incinerators with stricter standards for new builds, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2024

[6] Proposals to expand the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, 2024