ARCHIVE: Defra’s Departmental Strategic Objectives

Defra developed departmental strategic objectives (DSOs) to support the delivery of its two overarching PSA's:

  1. climate change tackled internationally and through domestic action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  2. a healthy, resilient, productive and diverse natural environment
  3. sustainable patterns of consumption and production
  4. economy and society resilient to environmental risk and adapted to the impacts of climate change
  5. a thriving farming and food sector with an improving net environmental impact
  6. sustainable Development championed across government, across the UK , and internationally
  7. strong rural communities
  8. a respected department delivering efficient and high quality services and outcomes

In addition, Defra is a formal delivery partner for the following PSAs (lead department in brackets):

  • Olympics (Department of Culture Media and Sport)
  • Housing (Department of Communities and Local Government)
  • Child Poverty (HM Treasury)
  • Regional Economic Performance (Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform)
  • International Poverty Reduction (Department for International Development )
  • Counter-terrorism (Home Office)
  • Service Transformation (Cabinet Office)

Defra also contributes to (but not as a formal delivery partner) to other PSAs:

  • Health and Well-being (Department of Health)
  • Later life (Department of Work and Pensions )
  • Safer communities (Home Office)
  • Community Cohesion (Department of Communities and Local Government)

Machinery of Government Changes

The machinery of government changes that took place in October 2008 impacted on Defra's Departmental Strategic Objectives (DSOs) and Public Service Agreements (PSAs).

Defra still leads for government on PSA 28 on the natural environment and are key delivery partners for DECC's PSA 27 on climate change.

Underneath that sit three priorities:

  • secure a healthy natural environment for us all and deal with environmental risks
  • promote a sustainable, low-carbon and resource-efficient economy
  • ensure a thriving farming sector and a sustainable, healthy and secure food supply

Defra has agreed some changes to its DSOs with HM Treasury - to focus DSO1 on adaptation; to make clear our role in promoting a low carbon resource efficient economy in DSO3 on sustainable consumption and production. A new DSO has been created to highlight Defra's new additional role in ensuring a sustainable, secure and healthy food supply. All others remain unchanged, reflecting the fact that the bulk of departmental business continues.

Defra's new Departmental Strategic Objectives:

  1. Adapting to climate change
  2. A healthy natural environment
  3. Sustainable consumption and production
  4. Environmental risk and emergencies
  5. Championing sustainable development
  6. A thriving farming and food sector
  7. A sustainable, secure and healthy food supply
  8. Strong rural communities
  9. A respected department

Page last modified: 1 December 2008
Page published: 1 December 2008