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On this week’s podcast, environmental lawyer Richard Broadbent, a director at the legal firm Freeths LLP discusses the significance of the news that biodiversity net gain (BNG) now applies to nationally significant infrastructure projects. However, with the government having just used its latest Budget to carve out fresh exemptions to BNG policy, there are fears about what the move could mean for nature markets and future success of BNG. Broadbent gives his view on what the latest tweaks could mean, including the implications on whether the government can get back on track to meet its legal obligations under the Environment Act 2021. In this episode, the team also looks at Lisa Tennant, the new incoming chair of the Environment Agency. PLUS The Chief executive of Yorkshire Water steps down.The Wildlife Trusts goes wild for the Rothbury Estate.And the Office for Environmental Protection’s fresh warnings against Norfolk’s EDP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s podcast, special guest Dr Anupama Sen, head of policy engagement for the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford joins host James Agyepong-Parsons. The pair discusses the risks and rewards of the government’s recent decision to approve the Jackdaw gas field, the looming decision over Rosebank and whether or not the prime minister can square either decision with his net zero commitments. Dr Sen believes that the decision is potentially damaging on the international stage as climate delegates head to COP31 in Antalya, Turkey next month. PLUS HSE loses a landmark legal case over public access to farmers’ pesticide recordsNorthern Ireland moves towards a national biomethane strategyAnd COP 17 draws to a close. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s podcast, Julia Baker, the global lead on nature at consultancy Mott MacDonald discusses the risks facing junior ecologists in a new age of AI adoption within the environmental profession. Baker shares her experiences of where the use of AI has benefitted her professional world, how the next generation of ecologists can benefit from it, and the warning signs of what to avoid. For Baker, safeguards are needed. Young ecologists entering into the profession need to seek out the companies that are putting those safety measures in place. But her advice comes at a time when the heads of AI companies have called for greater regulation from lawmakers, and AI safety engineers have warned of a potential impending apocalypse. PLUS Solent seabird numbers soar years after bird flu devastation.. DEFRA reveals a new plan for organic farmers.And Anglian Water’s £1.6m sewage blunder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natural England has taken a bruising in political circles in recent months, but particularly in the last week, after the Conservative Party outlined plans to abolish the watchdog were it to be in government. In September, Reform UK also threatened to abolish Natural England should it ever form a government, and the regulator has also come under recent criticism from a Liberal Democrat MP who chairs the Environment, Farming, and Rural Affairs committee. The news may sound like déjà vu – in the later years of the most recent Conservative governments, Natural England became wrapped up in what NGOs dubbed an ‘attack on nature’. But is it different this time? On this week’s ECO Chamber, special guest Sally Hayns, chief executive of The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management joins podcast host Tess Colley and ENDS Report editor in chief, Jamie Carpenter, to put the latest attacks in context. PLUS: The new taskforce on ‘climate security’; why the Tory shadow environment minister is calling for the Welsh environmental regulator to be scrapped; and the net zero chief who has just left his position in the government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Speaking live from the conference in Birmingham, ENDS Report editor Jamie Carpenter breaks down the most important green policy announcements from the party’s leader, Kemi Badenoch, and her shadow cabinet. The party has set out plans to abolish Natural England and the Environment Agency, withdraw the UK from the Aarhus Convention and scrap the Future Homes Standard. With extensive coverage from across the conference, this on-the-ground episode of the ECO Chamber is brought to you by the journalists of ENDS Report. Plus:- Natural England will only provide ‘bespoke’ planning advice moving forwards.The Green Party has pledged to bring two water companies under public ownership. A water company has been slapped with £8m in fines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Labour Party Conference has concluded. The party entered its annual conference with a polling boost holding a four-point lead: 27% of the vote, under the newly-elected prime minister. On the main stage, Burnham used his address to focus on pensions, electoral reform, devolution, and a national care service. On the environment he pledged that “a strengthened water bill” will be brought forward to Parliament, the “centerpiece” of which will be “the repeal of Margaret Thatcher’s ideological ban on public ownership of water companies”. In this week’s episode, brought to you from the conference floor, the ENDS team speaks to DEFRA secretary Angela Eagle and hears from experts across the sector including: Matthew Brown, head of public affairs at The Wildlife TrustsMartin Lines, chief executive of the Nature Friendly Farming NetworkMary-Ann Ochota, president of Campaign to Protect Rural EnglandBill Eyres, co-chair of Labour’s Environment Campaign – SERA With extensive coverage from across the conference, this special episode of the ECO Chamber is brought to you by the journalists of ENDS Report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s podcast, environmental lawyer Alexa Culver from RSK Wilding gives her view on why Natural England’s first EDP, set for the Norfolk Broads, is riddled with flaws. She has described the blueprint as a “blunt and daft” tool that has pushed nature and developers in Norfolk into a “lose lose” situation. Last week, Natural England published its first EDP for consultation, which covers the Broads Special Area of Conservation, Broadland Ramsar site and the river Wensum Special Area of Conservation in Norfolk. Under the plan, developers will have to pay a levy to use the EDP, but ENDS has exclusively revealed that taxpayer money will be needed to deliver the initial environmental protections. We discuss whether the scheme is sustainable. The team also looks at the key takehomes of the Liberal Democrat’s party conference in Brighton, and why supporting new drilling in the Jackdaw gas field could be seen as a red herring for their leader, Ed Davey. PLUS The prime minister’s route to net zero that shuns the ‘Whitehall way’.The lessons the Environment Agency has learned on Hoad’s Wood’s illegal dump.And the East Sussex town that has voted to recognise the rights of trees Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s podcast, Martin Baxter, the deputy chief executive of the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) discusses the risks and rewards of AI adoption within the environmental profession.  On Tuesday, ISEP published a new advice note on the responsible use and application of AI by sustainability and environmental professionals.  Baxter believes the negative impacts of AI adoptions needs to be better understood by the profession.  His warning comes at a time when top AI safety researchers are warning of potential human annihilation within a decade, and the heads of AI companies are pleading for greater regulation from lawmakers.  The team also discusses comments made to ENDS by the Green Party leader, Zack Polanski, on the aspects of biodiversity net gain policy he thinks are increasing social inequality.    PLUS A welcomed rhetoric from the new nature minister.DEFRA’s plans to tighten limits on PFOS.And a new assessment on the money England needs to reach its nature targets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Labour Party promised a major water reset when it was elected, and Andy Burnham’s government shows no sign of reversing that direction.  New powers have been granted to regulators like the Environment Agency under the Water Special Measures Act, a major review of the sector was carried out by Sir John Cunliffe to ascertain how a more joined-up approach to regulation could be achieved, and a new Clean Water Bill was announced in the King's Speech earlier this year.  On top of that, the prime minister himself has signalled that the renationalisation of the water sector isn’t off the table.  For this ECO Chamber podcast bonus episode, the ENDS Report team travelled to Henley-on-Thames on 4 September to find out what’s at stake for the water sector.  Backstage, the team spoke with policy-makers, watchdog leaders and environmentalists, including:  Natalie Prosser, the chief executive of the Office for Environment Protection about the funding pressures her organisation is facing. Helen Wakeham, the Environment Agency’s director for water on her organisation’s priorities. And Yuan Yang, an economist and Labour MP for Earley and Woodley, on the risks and rewards of her government renationalising the water sector.  The podcast also includes extracts from an expert panel hosted by ENDS’ senior journalist Shosha Adie with Wakeham, the chief executive of the Wildlife and Countryside Link, Richard Benwell, and Ofwat’s senior director of communications and engagement, Mark Wiltsher.  The panel discussed the pros and cons of a slated new super regulator, the sector at large, the challenges ahead for policymakers, and more. The Eco Chamber is brought to you by the journalists at ENDS Report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s podcast, ENDS Report editor Jamie Carpenter discusses his key takehomes from Reform UK’s second annual conference in Birmingham.  The party’s leadership has been keen to emphasise drastic reductions in the size of the civil service – a 13% cut or 68,500 full-time equivalent roles – should it form the next government.  Reform UK politicians like Robert Jenrick have also called for the complete defunding of regulators like Natural England within the first 100 days of taking over government.  Other nature policies would also be weakened and amended under recent Reform proposals, including the Habitats Regulatons and biodiversity net gain. But hostile nature policies could be “a real electoral Achilles heel” for Reform UK, according to new polling from More in Common. Andrew Fowler, the pollster’s engagement and research associate, speaks to the Eco Chamber this week about why 80% of Reform voters' support of nature is at odds with its leadership.  PLUS Natural England chiefs champion growth alongside the regulator’s nature remit. The policy agenda set for parliament this Autumn.And Scotland’s plans for an all-in-one environmental watchdog. The Eco Chamber is brought to you by the journalists at ENDS Report.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Successive governments have tried to undermine the Habitat Regulations as red tape that needs to be cut.  Most recently, critics have pointed to attacks on the regulations made under the previous Starmer administration, including the  Planning and Infrastructure Act and legislation set to be brought forward following the Fingleton Review.  Those who want to water down the legislation point to data on falling species abundance, arguing the regulations aren’t working anyway.  But in a new report published by The Wildlife Trusts, Matt Browne, head of public affairs, joins podcast host James Agyepong-Parsons to discuss why the charity is arguing for  the regulations to be kept safe and what needs to happen next to do that.   ENDS Report senior journalist Shosha Adie also discusses the Conservative Party’s latest attacks on net zero and their attempts to repeal the Climate Change Act 2008.  PLUS Dame Angela Eagle’s pushback against Reform UK’s climate denial. The Kidlington “super waste dump” in Oxfordshire that has been cleared. And the Government’s new air pollution alert system.   The ECO Chamber is brought to you by the journalists of ENDS Report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 20 July, Andy Burnham became prime minister alongside his newly appointed secretaries of state, including Dame Angela Eagle who took the reins at DEFRA.  In the days that followed, new DEFRA ministers were announced, but it’s taken until now for their briefs to be confirmed. In this week’s episode, ENDS Report editor Jamie Carpenter explains what the department’s minister will need to contend with as they get across their portfolios.  The team also speaks with Sam Riggs, an environmental barrister at 25 Bedford Row, about the government’s latest crackdown on waste crime, fly-tipping and the boosted powers for the Environment Agency.  Riggs believes the new fiscal powers granted to the EA will have little impact on the ground. Speaking with podcast host James Agyepong-Parsons, Riggs explains what needs to be done if DEFRA actually wants to ‘crackdown’ on waste crime.  PLUS The montagu’s harrier chicks hatched in a secret location of England.Campaigners take the government to court over Special Administration Regime arrangements with water companiesAnd the new ‘call in’ planning powers mooted for mayors The ECO Chamber is brought to you by the journalists of ENDS Report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Labour entered government it pushed for a “reset” within the water sector promising tougher enforcement and major reforms.  The idea of a “powerful” single water regulator for England was mooted, that would replace Ofwat, parts of the Environment Agency and Natural England, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).  The head of the DWI, Marcus Rink, this month sat down with ENDS Report’s senior reporter, Shosha Adie to discuss why the so-called super regulator may not be all that super.  Plus, this week ECO Chamber host James Agyepong-Parsons also discusses the potential environmental consequences of the government’s new National Planning Policy Framework with special guest Pamela Chesterman, an environmental lawyer at Irwin Mitchel LLP.  Chesterman is optimistic about the new national planning blueprint but has concerns that in the short-term current local plans could now be considered “outdated” with a flood of planning applications likely. PLUS Hinkley Point C is now open to environmental information requests.Billions more have been raised on customers’ water bills.The Office for Environmental Protection’s new agenda under an environment of “real-term cuts”. The ECO Chamber is brought to you by the journalists of ENDS Report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the past few weeks, environmentalists have been celebrating the release of six young sea eagles into Exmoor National Park.  Their release means more than 50 have now taken flight across England since their reintroduction on the Isle of Wight in 2019.  However, a recent investigation by the wildlife watchdog Natural England has found that some sea eagles, found dead, had ingested enough rat poison for it to have contributed towards their demise.  Dorset has been a particular hotspot for the poisoned birds.  On this week’s episode, podcast host James Agyepong-Parsons asks, why? With special guest Bob Elliot, the CEO of the legal campaign outfit Wild Justice, the pair discuss the importance of raptor reintroductions and the reality of what it takes to launch a successful wildlife crime investigation.   Alongside sea eagles, ospreys in England are also making a comeback.  The RSPB Campfield Marsh reserve in Cumbria has become the latest home to a pair of breeding ospreys, marking an end to their century-long absence from the bird charity’s reserves. Elliot explains why the return of large birds of prey is so crucial for England’s natural environment to recover.  The team also looks at recently released data giving an update on England’s ailing water bodies.  PLUS The Clacton by-election The UK’s ‘largest ever’ pollution legal claim… And the airport runway, running away in the courts… The ECO Chamber is brought to you by the journalists of ENDS Report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Environment Agency has declared droughts across half of England, as parts of the country are experiencing the longest dry period in 30 years. At the same time, wildfires have raged across the UK. Most recently, this has included the Dunwich Heath wildfire in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths protected area, which saw more than 150 hectares of rare coastal lowland heath burned.   On this week’s episode, the National Trust’s senior national specialist on climate adaptation, Keith Jones, tells the Eco Chamber what’s been lost, and what needs to happen next.  Jones explains how the National Trust is taking action now, but as a nation, he doesn’t believe the UK has the capacity to respond to a catastrophic wildfire event such as those seen in Europe this summer.  The podcast team also gets to grips with the recently assigned portfolios of DEFRA’s new ministers. PLUS The deaths of England’s sea eagles tied to rat poison The bat nightmare of Lochmaben And the river Ouse’s new charter The ECO Chamber is brought to you by the journalists of ENDS Report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.