March 2019
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
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This conference provided the opportunity to discuss the next steps for protecting the UK’s natural capital, and assess a range of developments in environmental policy.
Delegates focused on the Agriculture Bill, and its proposals for a new land management system after the UK leaves the Common Agriculture Policy - assessing key priorities for developing a future payment framework for farmers and land managers, how moves towards a system of payment for ‘public goods’ might be integrated, and how the challenges for delivering a “Green Brexit” may be overcome.
The seminar followed the Committee on Climate Change report on land use, which looked at the policy and reform required to meet climate change objectives, and with government consulting on making biodiversity net gain a criterion when considering planning permission.
It also took place after the publication of Waste Strategy for England which puts natural capital as a new indicator for monitoring progress in reducing waste.
Sessions considered progress on meeting key objectives of the 25 Year Environment Plan in the year since its publication and in the context of broader environmental initiatives - including opportunities for boosting economic growth while safeguarding natural heritage, and accelerating tree planting in woodland and urban areas.
Discussion was held on the closed consultation on Environmental Principles and Governance post-Brexit and the Draft Environment Bill, which included plans to set up an Office for Environmental Protection, and challenges around implementation and enforcement.
Further sessions examined the role of natural capital accounting, strategies for the use of natural capital resources like trees, water and livestock, opportunities available for better resource use in industry, and the balance of responsibilities for maintaining environmental quality.
