Testing the effectiveness of England's local environmental compliance regimes: The case of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

This article examines the effectiveness of local environmental compliance regimes in the United Kingdom (UK), focusing on the case study of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Despite national and international commitments, the ecological emergency underscores the need for effective governance at the local level. Through a mixed-methods approach, including legal analysis, freedom of information requests, and stakeholder workshops, this research assesses the performance of key public authorities in a specific region. The findings reveal that while local authorities demonstrate a commitment to environmental protection, their effectiveness is hindered by inadequate funding, skills gaps, overlapping jurisdictions, and communication barriers. Offence data indicates mixed trends, underscoring the importance of specific mandates. The article proposes streamlining reporting, bridging jurisdictional divides through coordination committees, cultivating environmental stewardship through public engagement, and prioritising workforce development with fair compensation. The study advocates for accessible information platforms, collaborative case reviews, and community reporting workshops. These novel mechanisms aim to empower citizens, facilitate coordinated action, and foster a culture of environmental stewardship. Effective implementation requires securing diversified funding, building stakeholder consensus, and ensuring data protection. This article provides impactful insights for local environmental compliance regimes within the UK and internationally and calls for collective action to improve governance.