In this episode, we leave the policy talk behind and meet the people making the circular economy happen, from repair café volunteers and reuse hubs to engineers refurbishing tools and fashion workers giving textiles a second life.

Their stories reveal five simple reasons people love the circular economy.

This isn’t a distant ambition. It’s already here and people want more of it.

Ruth Chambers speaks with Chris Packham, Carol Day and Katie de Kauwe. They discuss the impact of recent laws on campaigners, what the Aarhus Convention means for access to justice and why protecting these rights is essential for both democracy and the environment.

In this episode of the Green Alliance Podcast, Shaun Spiers, executive director at Green Alliance, speaks with Professor Gina Neff, executive director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy and professor of responsible AI at Queen Mary University of London. They explore the risks of unchecked big tech and the environmental costs of its rapid expansion: from energy-hungry data centres to the urgent need for transparency and accountability. 

In this episode of the Green Alliance Podcast, Holly Brazier Tope, director of politics at Green Alliance, is joined by Sam Alvis, associate director for energy and environment at IPPR, to share their first reactions to the plan. They explore the political backdrop, unpack the risks and opportunities in the plan, and consider what it means for the UK’s credibility on climate ahead of Keir Starmer’s trip to COP30. 

In this episode of the Green Alliance Podcast, deputy director of politics Holly Brazier Tope is joined by Fiona Harvey, environment editor at The Guardian. Drawing on more than two decades of reporting, Fiona reflects on the narratives that resonate with the public, the role of the media in shaping debate, and how government can avoid the pitfalls of weak communication in the months ahead.

With a focus on fairness, strategic investment and making polluters pay, the conversation comes as Green Alliance publishes a new briefing that delves deeper into these themes, putting forward some recommendations for what government can do.

In this episode, Green Alliance's senior fellow and head of resources Libby Peake speaks to the experts and activists behind the campaign to ban these devices. She’s joined by Scott Butler of Material Focus, climate campaigner Laura Young and Dr Michael McKean of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

They discuss the lasting damage disposable vapes still cause, from toxic waste and discarded lithium to misleading new products and weak enforcement. And with new threats like nicotine pouches on the rise, the pressure on regulators is far from over.

Presented by Emily Carr, policy adviser and author of our recent report Making the connection: ending digital exclusion with reused devices, this episode features Stuart Dossett, senior policy advisor and co-author the report; Sam, an asylum seeker whose life was transformed by receiving a donated laptop through Screen Share; Megan Barrett chief executive officer of Power to Connect, a charity working to bridge the digital divide in London through device redistribution and digital skills training; and Natasha Early, business development and partnerships manager at Good Things Foundation, a national digital inclusion charity, responsible for the National Device Bank. Their stories and insights underscore both the life changing impact of digital access and the ongoing barriers like limited device supply, data security concerns and funding constraints that must be overcome to achieve true digital inclusion.

In this conversation, Patrick Grant advocates for a "lower consumption, higher value economy," where people buy fewer but better quality items that last longer, create local repair economies and generate more satisfaction. He highlights how many consumers today lack a frame of reference for quality goods, having grown up with synthetic materials, and emphasises the distinction between enduring "clothing" versus disposable "fashion." The episode concludes with both speakers agreeing that while fashion has cultural value, the current system of AI-designed, oil-based disposable fashion is unsustainable and requires policy intervention to incentivise quality and local production.

Ruth Chambers, Green Alliance senior fellow, is joined by Professor Maria Lee, an expert in environmental law, and Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair of the Office for Environmental Protection, for a discussion on the challenges and progress of the last five years. Together, they reflect on how our new environmental governance systems provide important checks and balances to bolster environmental protections through short term political cycles. 

Read our related report here.

The book examines some of the most dramatic failures of land stewardship in Britain’s recent history. But also tells the story of the people trying to pick up the pieces, the small scale farmers, community groups and members of the public who seek to be the custodians of land, whether or not they own it.

Some other topics covered in the discussion include:

• Differences between Britain and other countries' land ownership
• The role and balance of private and public investment in nature restoration
• The power and resources of National Parks
• A right to roam/right to responsible access

The discussion concludes with an audience Q&A.

Nick chats with experts including Michael Solomon Williams from Campaign for Better Transport, cycling journalist and author Laura Laker, and Green Alliance's Johann Beckford and Rosie Allen. Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities in decarbonising transport, from electric vehicles to active travel and the future of public transport. Tune in for expert insights on the policies shaping a cleaner, more sustainable transport system.

In this conversation, our guests discuss where previous administrations have failed and what the new government must do differently to avoid past mistakes. They explore the benefits of embracing circularity, including its potential to boost economic growth. They highlight the urgent need for policy interventions that will best enable businesses to innovate and embrace circularity. A linear system has no future, and transitioning to a circular economy is the clear path forward- our guests dig down into exactly how the government can lead the charge and make this crucial shift happen.

In this conversation, our guests reflect on the colossal team effort required to get the Act onto the statute book, the standout moments from parliamentary debates and the collaboration between parliamentarians and campaigners required to push for high ambition legislation. We also evaluate whether the Environment Act has lived up to our expectations and discuss what more is needed to drive change in the future.

The conversation offers both domestic and international perspectives on the increased leadership required to tackle methane emissions. From the bold steps needed to develop methane roadmaps in Latin America to the key announcements we hope to see from global leaders in Baku, this episode is a must-listen for anyone engaged in climate policy and discussions surrounding COP29.

In this episode, Green Alliance's head of politics, Holly Brazier Tope, reflects on the first 100 days of the new Labour government, marking a pivotal shift after over a decade of Conservative leadership.

Holly first sits down with Chris Venables, director of politics at Green Alliance, to discuss how things are going from an external viewpoint, examining key moments and opportunities for the environmental sector in recent months.

You’ll also hear from Labour MPs Clive Lewis and Olivia Blake, who provide insider perspectives on the climate initiatives unfolding in Westminster right now.

Tune in for a comprehensive overview of how this new administration is laying the groundwork for ambitious environmental leadership in the UK.

This book examines why we need land and how to give both humanity and nature the space to thrive, and includes conversations with farmers, scientists, conservationists and even warehouse managers who are solving the most pressing challenges facing our countryside and the world.

During the discussion, Tom and Shaun touch on topics like:

•  Energy, particularly the attraction of solar, including rooftop solar, and the indefensibility of biofuels
• Farming.
• The importance of not offshoring the UK’s environmental footprint.
• Technophilia and openness to genetic engineering is an interesting challenge to some green thinking
• Diet change

The discussion then concludes with an audience Q&A.

LINKS

Purchase Tom Heap's Land Smart: How to give people and nature the space to thrive. 

Follow us on X and LinkedIn to keep up to date with new outputs from Green Alliance.

Episode produced by Podcast Pioneers

This podcast episode features highlights from the final event in our Election countdown series 'Election debrief – what now for the environment?' where we we analysed the results of the election and what they mean for the environmental agenda. Executive director Shaun Spiers hosted the panel, with inputs from Holly Brazier Tope, head of politics, Libby Peake, head of resource policy, Liam Hardy, senior policy analyst, and Lydia Collas, head of natural environment.

Hear from experts across the Green Alliance team who will discuss how the new Government will likely approach environmental policy and politics, what the results mean for future of UK energy, resources and nature policy, and what the key moments will be over the coming months.

LINKS

Visit the Political Leadership page on our website to explore all our work on this topic.

Follow us on X and LinkedIn to keep up to date with new outputs from Green Alliance.

Episode produced by Podcast Pioneers

The Dasgupta Review, commissioned by the UK Treasury and published in 2021, sets out the strong case for changing our economic system to reflect that it does not exist outside of nature, but within it. It shows that, to prevent ongoing environmental destruction in the name of economic progress, we must use a measure of wealth that includes indispensable assets like nature on the balance books. 

But how do we get there? What should the government, business and the financial sector do to shift the economic system towards to that ideal? 

In this episode, you will hear from distinguished speakers on what’s necessary to implement the findings of The Dasgupta Review, so that we better value nature and can begin to restore our natural assets and wealth, avoiding counterproductive losses. 

LINKS

Visit the Implementing Dasgupta page on our website to explore all our work on this topic.

Follow us on X and LinkedIn to keep up to date with new outputs from Green Alliance.

Episode produced by Podcast Pioneers

In the last year, transport entered the political arena in a way not seen before. There were contradictory announcements on the sales of petrol and diesel cars and vans, conspiracy theories, strikes, budget cuts, headline announcements, world first flights and much more.   

In this episode, head of climate policy Helena Bennett sits down with members of the Green Alliance transport team to discuss an up and down year for transport policy.    

What is the policy response? Interest rates are currently at a 15 year high, the highest they've been since 2008. The Bank of England is raising interest rates to try and get inflation down closer to their target of two per cent. This is putting pressure on consumer spending and creating particular pain in housing costs through higher mortgage rates. So how do we get out of this high inflation, high interest rate world?

To answer this question, our senior policy analyst Heather Plumpton speaks to our senior policy adviser Stuart Dossett and Eric Lonergan, policy economist and writer, about the role renewable energy can play in bringing down inflation.

As it stands, the UK tax system is geared towards a high carbon economy. It rewards polluters and lacks the incentives that would encourage green alternatives. At the same time, the government risks losing important sources of revenue (eg fuel duty) as industries decarbonise, with no clear plans on how to fix the looming fiscal black holes.

In short, the tax system is not suitable for a net zero, nature positive future.

So what needs to change?

On Wednesday 21 June 2023, our expert panel discussed how to futureproof the tax system to support the wellbeing of people and the planet. They discussed the action needed from Treasury to secure a tax system that’s fit for net zero; one that holds polluters to account, enables people to make more sustainable choices and maintains a stable income for the public purse.

This was the final event for Green Alliance’s TransformTax project, which has been generously funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust for the past three years.

Watch the full event here.

Panellists

• Chair: Peter Foster, public policy editor, Financial Times
• Libby Peake, head of resource policy, Green Alliance
• Chris Stark, CEO, Climate Change Committee
• Jill Rutter, senior fellow, Institute for Government

In this episode, Jasmine Dhaliwal speaks to three of the innovative circular businesses we interviewed in our report. Listen in to hear from The Little Loop's Charlotte Morley, Techbuyer's Rich Kenny and SUEZ's Adam Read as they shed light on how they work, the business case for circularity and what further support is needed from government.

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to keep up with our work.

Regen's new report 'Building a GB electricity network ready for net zero' explores the scale of the challenge, the initiatives underway and key priorities. In this episode, Flossie Boyd speaks with the report's lead author Frank Hodgson, senior energy analyst at Regen. They discuss the report's core findings, the government's recent decision to give Ofgem a net zero remit and why improvements to the grid must happen now.

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to keep up with our work.

So how can this be achieved? Shirley Rodrigues, London's Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, is working to deliver an environmental strategy for the city which will tackle air pollution. This includes policies ranging from implementing the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to rewilding London.

Our policy adviser Sophie O'Connell sat down with the Deputy Mayor to discuss the rationale behind the planned ULEZ expansion and what it means for Londoners and the environment. This episode explores the relationship between health and the environment, clears the air around ULEZ and explains how people can support initiatives to green London.

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to keep up with our work and read our blog for the latest environmental commentary.

In this episode, Emma McKelvie speaks with Ian Constance, chief executive of the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). The APC provides funding and support to organisations across the electric vehicle supply chain, and publishes research and insights into how achieving a net zero transport system. 

They explore why domestic battery production is so important, the need for the UK to de-risk investment into battery manufacturing and build a narrative around being a globally competitive place to invest, and upcoming opportunities that the sector can take advantage of. 

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to keep up with our work.

In this special edition of the Green Alliance podcast, our research director Roz Bulleid sits down with our policy experts to discuss progress, where Energy Security Day fell short and what more this government can do before an election.

Ahead of Energy Security Day, Green Alliance published a net zero policy tracker which revealed that the government is not on track to meet net zero by 2050, with a lack of ambition and policy delivery across all sectors. Look out for our updated analysis coming soon.

Dr Nathalie Tocci is director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali and author of 'A Green and Global Europe', a book which affirms the inevitability of the green transition in Europe but sets out its complex social, economic and geopolitical challenges. Dr Tocci argues that these must be addressed head-on and collaboratively with other nations rather than in isolation.

Our executive director Shaun Spiers spoke to Dr Tocci to discuss the book and its implications for how we approach the green transition. The episode covers the ramifications of the US Inflation Reduction Act, how we can ensure fairness in the move to green energy and why we are dealing with more of a revolution than a transition.

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to keep up with our work.

LCEF’s debut report uses polling to show that Labour MPs are viewed more favourably by voters when talking about their support for environmental issues. With a UK general election expected in 2024, the position of the major political parties on the environment will be electorally crucial. 

Our Environment APPG co-ordinator and political adviser Robbie MacPherson sat down with Paul McNamee, director of LCEF, to discuss his long term aspirations for LCEF, the innate importance of climate action to achieving social justice and the Labour Party’s relationship with climate and nature policy.

The shipping sector already has a tool to make the systemic changes necessary to decarbonise: the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO has the power to set international regulatory standards. But how should the UK and the IMO balance the responsibility to steer policy that accelerates the decarbonisation of shipping at the pace required to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees?

In this episode, Rosie Allen speaks to Tristan Smith, associate professor at UCL Energy Institute, to explore the barriers to shipping decarbonisation, the domestic picture and the role of the UK in raising the IMO’s ambition.

In this episode Alice Watson sits down with Iain Stewart MP, newly elected chair of the transport committee, to understand his day to day responsibilities, how issues like transport decarbonisation are picked up and considered by the committee and how the public can get involved with shaping the future of the committee's work.

This comes at a time when the UK urgently needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero. Transport is responsible for more of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector, with residential properties the third most emitting.

Our report, 'Green uplift', showed how the scale of change to reach net zero in transport and home heating is a major opportunity to remove structural causes of fuel and transport poverty. 

In this episode Stuart Dossett speaks to Mari Martiskainen and Neil Simcock, researchers for the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions (CREDS) FAIR project, to delve deeper into the report findings and highlight the experience of those living in fuel and transport poverty.

In this episode, Lydia Collas speaks to Patrick Greenfield, a reporter for The Guardian, who is in Montreal at COP15. Patrick provides an insight into the atmosphere on the ground and explains why we need a biodiversity COP, what some of the desired outcomes are and how this relates back to the UK context. 

The current electricity market is designed for a commodity based system which reflects the fluctuating price of gas. However, as renewables make up a bigger proportion of our electricity system, a new approach is needed. One solution to bring down energy costs is to reform electricity markets to make the most of low cost renewables. This proposal is known as the green power pool. 

In this episode, Verner Viisainen speaks to Marian D’Auria, global head of risk and sustainability at GFG Alliance (Liberty Steel Group), and Paul Drummond, senior research fellow at University College London’s Institute of Sustainable Resources, to explain how energy prices are affecting the steel industry and how a green power pool could help. 

From smartphones to single use vapes, disposable culture is contributing to an increasing environmental problem. It is estimated that 1.3 million vapes are thrown away each week in the UK. Aside from these environmental concerns, ewaste is a barrier to digital inclusion. Ten million people in the UK are digitally excluded and yet there are millions of unused and working electrical items hoarded in UK homes that could be redistributed to provide access to technology. Businesses are also starting to take action, but are the right systems in place to help them?

Green Alliance recently hosted an event with Material Focus, the not for profit which works to transform the way we think about electrical waste, to explore the challenges and attitudes around ewaste. In this episode we speak to Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, to recap on the debate and delve deeper into this growing problem and what we can do about it. 

Ambitious targets are essential to achieve climate goals while also attracting new investment and securing market share to make the most of the UK’s transition to electric vehicles. Leading the world on a ZEV mandate is California which first implemented a ‘ZEV requirement’ over 30 years ago, in 1990, as part of its Low Emission Vehicle Regulation to combat local air pollution.

In this episode Johann Beckford talked to Professor Daniel Sperling of the University of California who, as a member of the California Air Resources Board which administers the ZEV mandate, reveals how the strategy has worked in the state. They discuss what the UK from learn from the US experience.

 Our senior policy adviser Jim Elliott talked to Angela Williams, development manager of Tarras Valley Nature Reserve in Langholm, Scotland and Jenny Phelps MBE, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group’s senior farm conservation adviser.

 Angela is working on the Langholm Initiative, a community buy-out which has seen the local population successfully raise money to buy and restore 5,200 acres of land. Jenny has led work on an approach called Integrated Local Delivery (ILD) which brings together interested parties at a local level to collaborate on protecting their local environment. 

 This podcast is part of a new Green Alliance project, funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, seeking to set out effective models for community ownership, benefit and involvement in land use change in different circumstances, to ensure changes are good for people as well as climate and nature.

Our report Land of opportunity explores how we can go about doing this. It demonstrates how paying for nature restoration on farmland could raise farm incomes, reduce carbon emissions and increase bird populations by half. 

In this episode, Green Alliance policy director Dustin Benton spoke to the Soil Association’s chief executive, Helen Browning, about agroecology, organic and regenerative farming, and what these traditions can do to help build a nature positive and carbon negative food system. 

Although there will be savings in energy bills over the medium term, the upfront costs of upgrading a home’s energy efficiency can be significant. Support is available for lower income households through targeted government schemes like ECO, but the Climate Change Committee’s recent progress report identified a particular policy gap for owner occupiers who aren’t eligible for support.

In this episode, Green Alliance policy analyst Zoe Avison spoke to Claire Tracey, chief strategy and sustainability officer at Nationwide. Claire spoke about Nationwide’s pledge to lead the greening of UK homes and how it intends to achieve that, as well as the wider policy challenges beyond the building society’s control.

Road infrastructure investment increases traffic, exacerbating congestion and air pollution, resulting in higher levels of operational and embedded carbon. The UK government has an ambitious policy package to support vehicle electrification but, while it is reviewing the planning policy framework for major road investment, it has not paused its existing road building plans.

Wales, on the other hand, is working to reduce car miles driven and has started to review all its major road building plans to align investment with its stated commitment to net zero.

In this episode, Green Alliance’s policy adviser Johann Becker introduces the expert discussion Green Alliance jointly hosted with Campaign for Better Transport and Transport Action Network, in June 2022. The event featured contributions from Wales’ Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters, Silviya Barrett from Campaign for Better Transport, David Milner of Create Streets, Oxfordshire Councillor Charlie Hicks and Rebecca Lush from Transport Action Network. 

Hear about the action Wales is taking to move away from car reliance to sustainable transport options, the obstacles it has faced and how it is dealing with them. The speakers compare this with experiences in England and consider what the rest of the country could learn from Wales.

Speakers

• Chair: Silviya Barrett, director of policy and research, Campaign for Better Transport
• Lee Waters, deputy minister for climate change, Welsh Government
• David Milner, deputy director, Create Streets
• Rebecca Lush, roads and climate campaigner, Transport Action Network
• Cllr Charlie Hicks, Oxfordshire County Council, deputy chair of Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Local leaders around the country, from district councils to metro mayors, are leading the way. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has set its net zero target 12 years ahead of the national target, aiming for 2038. 

In this episode, Green Alliance’s political adviser Robbie MacPherson spoke to Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester. In this insightful discussion, the former cabinet minister talks about the energy crisis, what’s being done to improve public transport in the city region and his view of Labour’s offer on climate and environment. 

The IPCC Sixth assessment report: mitigation of climate change is the third and final instalment of the IPCC’s latest assessment. It provides an updated global assessment of climate change mitigation progress and pledges, and examines the sources of global emissions. It explains developments in emission reduction and mitigation efforts, assessing the impact of national climate pledges in relation to long term emissions goals.

But how we move cargo in a net zero world is not the same question as how we move people. Innovation in transport need not be limited to speed and efficiency. Understanding more about what motivates us and how we perceive the world around us could enable changes to the transport system that make behaviour change possible. 

Pete Dyson is a behavioural scientist working at the Department for Transport. Pete’s the co-author of a new book Transport for Humans, which he wrote in a personal capacity.

Zoe Avison, policy analyst at Green Alliance, sat down with Pete to discuss what behavioural insights are and how it can help us move to a more sustainable transport system.

You can read more about our work on decarbonising transport here.

But in 2022, with inflation at a 30 year high,  gas prices rising and the war in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis is at the top of the political agenda.

Some voices are calling for more North Sea oil and gas production, while others are urging the government to take another look at fracking. There  has been a Net Zero Scrutiny Group set up by some of the architects of Brexit.

However, there is also significant push back from backers of action on net zero, including the Conservative Environment Network, which makes up around half of the parliamentary party. The prime minister has also recently restated his commitment to dealing with climate change in response to the energy crisis. 

In parliament, there is also a Net Zero Support Group led by our guest on the podcast this week, former energy minister Chris Skidmore MP. In this episode, Joe Tetlow, senior political adviser, spoke to Chris about how we can cut the cost of living with a green economy.

There are many good reasons to consider eating more plant-based food and cutting back on meat and dairy. Animal agriculture drives deforestation that exacerbates climate change, while the methane produced by cows and other animals is a potent greenhouse gas emission. There are also concerns about animal welfare and many people argue there are health benefits to eating less meat. 

The Climate Change Committee, the government’s independent climate advisers, recommend that the UK needs to cut its meat and dairy consumption by 20 per cent between now and 2030. And the National Food Strategy – charged with looking at carbon, nature and healthy diets – recommended a 30 per cent reduction in meat consumption by 2030. The more people that adopt vegan diets, the closer we get to reaching these targets.

For this podcast, James Fotherby, policy adviser and plant-based food enthusiast spoke to Baroness Anne Jenkin of Kennington about the benefits of vegan diets, animal welfare and the environmental impact of eating meat.

Back in 2015, world leaders signed the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit global temperature rises as close as possible to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels and avoid the most severe impacts of the climate crisis.

Last year, it was the UK’s turn to host the summit, together with Italy. Delayed by the pandemic, this COP had a particular sense of urgency. The next decade will be crucial in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and transforming our economies.

Holly Rowden, policy adviser at Green Alliance, spoke to Camilla Born, adviser to the UK COP Presidency, about what it was like to be right at the heart of the action in Glasgow, and what the next year might look like for the UK presidency.

You can find out more about COP26 here.

But, a new report by the Centre for Cities, finds that just investing in better public transport isn’t enough. Our urban areas are less dense than comparable cities in Europe, making public transport less accessible and efficient. 

Zoe Avison, policy analyst at Green Alliance, spoke to Anthony Breach about the report’s findings and what we need to do for our cities to catch up with the rest of Europe.

You can read the Centre for Cities report here.

If you want to find out more about Green Alliance’s decarbonising transport project, visit our website. 

The prime minister’s slogan of “coal, car, cash and trees” has resulted in a focus on electric vehicles, climate finance and clean power generation at COP26. But precious little attention has been paid to the materials and resources used to build the cars, batteries and wind turbines that we so need.

In this episode, we'll be talking to Dr Colin Church, CEO of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, and chair of Green Alliance's Circular Economy Task Force about how material and resource use fits into climate policy and COP26, and why resources, including critical raw materials, are so important to the net zero transition.

In this episode, Sam Alvis, Green Alliance’s head of green renewal, speaks to leading economist Dr Matthew Agarwala, of the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge, about what it will take to be a green chancellor. He also tells us how private investment in the net zero economy can be unlocked and why the 2021 comprehensive spending review is such a crucial moment for the UK economy.

If you’re interested to know more about Matthew Agarwala’s work at the Bennett Institute, see the Wealth Economy Foundation Workshop. 

With the chancellor’s spending review due in late October 2021 and the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in November 2021, the government is under pressure to set out how it will get the country to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

They discuss what needs to happen to achieve 100 per cent clean power by 2035 and whether there’s too much focus on red wall seats in the Midlands and the North.

Hilary Benn co-chairs IPPR’s Environmental Justice Commission,  established in May 2019, which has focused on addressing the climate crisis and restoring nature, as well as creating jobs and a fairer society.

After two years of work and four citizens’ juries, the commission’s final report was published in the summer of 2021, setting out its vision for a more equal, socially just and green economy.

For further reading:

The final report by IPPR Environmental Justice Commission

Read Joshua Emden’s Inside Track blog on the findings of the commission’s report

Everyone knows that the world has a problem with plastic pollution. People are right to be concerned and demand that we protect ecosystems and human and animal health from what has been described as a “global scourge”.

But in searching for solutions we surely don’t want to store up future problems.

There is a cautionary tale from the invention of plastic itself. Plastic was invented to avert an environmental catastrophe – the extinction of the elephants. 

Despite this, we haven’t learned the lessons. That we shouldn’t be trying to find a simple substitute for a material that is being used at unsustainable levels. 

To consider this and more, Libby spoke with Paula Chin, sustainable materials specialist at WWF and chair of the Wildlife and Countryside Link resources and waste group, about the impact of packaging and how to move towards the sustainable use of materials.

The consensus that net zero should be a political and spending priority of the government is beginning to fray at the seams, from the backbenches to the very top. 

How we heat our homes in a net zero economy is seen as one of the most politically difficult challenges ahead.

Along with a bunch of other government strategies, the Heat and Buildings Strategy is set to be published this autumn. 

It has already been mired by leaks and hostile briefings, particularly around the phaseout of gas boilers and changes to how we heat our homes. 

Heat pumps have been the go-to example people use when talking about the cost of net zero, a lightning rod for attacks, with prices being quoted in the media at anywhere between 8 and 20 thousand pounds. 

Although old gas boilers are unlikely to be mandated to be replaced for at least 15 years, this has become an urgent problem for the government to deal with today.

Having promised to set out how it intends to reach net zero as part of the wide ranging ‘Net Zero Strategy’ ahead of COP26, the world is watching and looking to the UK for ambitious leadership.

The question is, do we have the political or technological answers to do this?

Joining our senior political adviser, Joe Tetlow today is Clem Cowton, director of external affairs for Octopus Energy. 

Octopus are a tech unicorn who entered the UK energy market in 2016 to disrupt the status quo, now have over 2 million customers and are self-professed greenies, supplying 100% green electricity to their customers. They also invest in green energy and manufacture heat pumps. 

Part two was published this summer and contained recommendations such as guaranteeing funding for farmers, and the development of a rural land use framework to advise on the best use of different areas of land.

Our strategy director Belinda Gordon spoke to Henry to find out more about the recommendations in the report on everything from meat consumption to trade deals. 

Kate Raworth is an economist and author of Doughnut economics, which proposes a ground-breaking new approach to the economy. She also co-founded the Doughnut Economics Action Lab and teaches at Oxford University. 

Cait Hewitt is the deputy director at the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF), a not-for-profit campaigning organisation that focuses on the environmental impact of aviation. 

Anthony Browne is the MP for South Cambridgeshire and the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Environment. He is also a former journalist and director of the think tank Policy Exchange. 

On they day they spoke, Green Alliance launched the latest update of the Net zero policy tracker, which is monitoring the government’s progress on cutting carbon emissions.  

Dame Glenys Stacey is the chair of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) in the UK. 

Andrea Lee is the campaigns and policy manager at ClientEarth and coordinates the national Healthy Air Campaign.

Dimitri Zenghelis is a special adviser at the Bennett Institute, University of Cambridge, and co-founder of the Wealth Economy project. He is also a senior fellow at the Grantham Institute on Climate Change at the London School of Economics. Dimitri was head of the Stern Review team and head of economic forecasting at the Treasury.

As a "veteran of Copenhagen", the former Labour leader has some fascinating insights into what we have learned from the past decade of climate negotiations. 

Discover more about what happened at our Making it count event on our YouTube channel.

In this episode, Gwen and Rebecca discuss the significance of this policy and others to ask - is the PM's green plan going to put the environment at the heart of the economic recovery?

Recorded two days after the US election, this episode focuses on what a Joe Biden administration will do in office in this critical moment for the environment. You can watch the recording of the original event here. 

The Restart Project helps people learn how to repair their electronics and to rethink how they consume them in the first place. Both Green Alliance and the Restart Project are members of Right to Repair Europe.

The former chair of the charity Rewilding Britain and owner of Knepp estate, Charlie tells Belinda Gordon how removing fencing, introducing deer, Longhorn cattle, Exmoor ponies and Tamworth pigs has allowed nature to take over this once intensively farmed land with incredible results. They discuss how this example can offer inspiration and lessons for new ways of managing land across the country, to reverse nature loss in a way that’s also better for people. 

During the event, we heard reflections from Mya-Rose Craig (Birdgirl), founder and president, Black2Nature, Charise Johnson, policy advisor (public), The British Academy and Sufina Ahmad, director, The John Ellerman Foundation.

All three speakers are leading the way in creating a more diverse and inclusive sector, their challenges, concerns, and a few hard truths, as well as their advice on the right way forward.

Can you spare a few moments to fill out a quick 2 minute survey about the Green Alliance podcast?  We'd love to hear your feedback. 

They provided an eye-opening discussion on the economics of biodiversity and outlined the ways in which we can rebuild a more resilient economy for the future, in ways that address the ecological crisis.

This event was included a live Q+A session and was chaired by Dame Fiona Reynolds, master of Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge. 

In this podcast, you can listen to Rt Hon George Eustice MP's fist major speech as environment secretary where he set out his vision for a green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

This episode also includes highlights from the panel discussion that followed, including reflections from Beccy Speight, chief executive of RSPB, and Tanya Steele, chief executive of WWF UK, and a question and answer session, chaired by Green Alliance’s executive director, Shaun Spiers.

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Jini Reddy, award-winning author and journalist, shares her experience of writing Wanderland, an account of her journey to connect with the magic of the landscape, and Dara McAnulty, a young star of the conservation movement, talks about his book Diary of a young naturalist.

Tune in to hear this fascinating discussion on the joy of connecting with nature and writing about it, and its importance in engaging more diverse audiences with the natural world.

Can you spare two minutes to fill out a quick survey about the Green Alliance podcast? We'd love to hear your feedback. 

In this episode, Emma Howard Boyd,  chair of the Environment Agency and a member of the government's Council for Sustainable Business, is interviewed by Green Alliance's  executive director Shaun Spiers.

This interview was recorded ahead of the summit of business leaders and government, being held on Monday 29th June. The summit will see major FTSE100 businesses come together to make clear commitments to tackle the climate and nature emergencies, and deliver a green recovery post-coronavirus.

Emma discusses the vital part that business will play in delivering the UK’s ambitions on climate and nature and shares her experience of both government and the public sector, and the business and finance world.

This episode features the highlights of the discussion around what is needed to ensure a socially just, inclusive and low carbon recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. 

The discussion was chaired by Green Alliance’s executive director, Shaun Spiers.

Can you spare a few moments to fill out a quick 2 minute survey about the Green Alliance podcast?  We'd love to hear your feedback. 

This episode features the highlights of the discussion. Our expert panel were Jill Rutter, senior research fellow, UK in a Changing Europe; David Baldock, senior fellow, Institute for European Environmental Policy; and Maria Lee, professor of law, University College London. The discussion was chaired by Green Alliance’s executive director and chair of Greener UK, Shaun Spiers.

She discusses her farming roots, studies and career, and her passion for nature. 

Hear Rebecca Pow’s insights into actions the government is taking on the environment, including on air quality, waste and agriculture. She describes the changes she hopes to see as a result of the UK’s forthcoming environmental legislation, like the Environment Bill, and the environmental ‘super year’ ahead.

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Dieter Helm is professor of energy policy and official fellow in economics of Oxford University. His book Green and prosperous land' argues that the UK has so far overlooked the climate impact caused by the products we consume.

In the last in the current series of our ‘Insights’ podcasts, Caterina Brandmayr and Dieter Helm discuss the importance of the UK tackling all the emissions it’s responsible for, a green recovery and the role of carbon taxes.

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During lockdown there was a huge drop in transport across the UK and the air we breathe has been noticeably cleaner as a result.

But will decisions made as the lockdown is eased make transport systems compatible with the government’s net zero target and improve air quality across the country long term, or will they lock in more carbon intensive infrastructure and behaviour for years to come?

These questions were discussed by an expert panel, offering perspectives from major UK cities. 

• Chris Boardman, commissioner for walking and cycling, Greater Manchester
• Shirley Rodrigues, deputy mayor for environment and energy, Greater London Authority
• Jillian Anable, professor of transport and energy, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds

This was the latest in a series of online events Green Alliance is hosting to discuss the impact of the current health crisis on the environment. We hope you enjoy the episode. 

In this episode, Sarah Williams, head of the Greener UK unit, is joined by Tom West, UK environment lead at ClientEarth, and an expert on the trade talks. 

With the UK in the midst of trade negotiations with a number of different countries, and the Trade Bill being discussed in parliament, how we can make sure these agreements are positive and not damaging to the environment?

She gives her insights into the assembly’s process and what the results could mean for future UK climate action.

She discusses her new book Too hot to handle? The democratic challenge of climate change which reports on her revealing interviews with leading politicians across the parties and their attitudes to climate action.

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In this fascinating discussion between Libby Peake and disease ecologist Dr Thomas Gillespie of Emory University we learn about  the risk factors involved in the 'spillover' of new pathogens caused by human induced environmental change, and the urgent need to change the 'artificial divide' between health and the environment.

On 5 May 2020, Green Alliance hosted an online event  to discuss the implications of the coronavirus crisis for nature and the conservation sector and the very important role it can play in the nation's recovery. 

Speakers were Hilary McGrady, director-general of the National Trust, Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB, and Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England.

This episode features the highlights of the discussion.

This event was the second in a series of Green Alliance online events exploring the impact of the current health crisis on the environment.

In this episode, Shaun Spiers, Green Alliance’s executive director, interviews Margaret Heffernan, former CEO of five businesses and inspirational speaker and writer on the nature of leadership. 

She reminds us that, at times of great uncertainty, we must have confidence in our capacity to adapt, improvise and create a future we want and can believe in.

Their discussion reflects on past pandemics and crises, what we have learned from them and how these lessons can bring us hope in dealing with Covid-19 and climate change.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park’s ambitious plans aim to transform the region’s buildings, transport and land management, almost eliminating all CO2 emissions by 2030. 

Ruth Chambers interviews David Butterworth, chief executive of the national park about the plan, why it will be important to transfer more power and resources from central government to local regions and how national parks can be part of the post Covid-19 solution for a better society.

Panellists:

• Chris Stark, chief executive, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC)
• Camilla Born, deputy strategy director, COP26 unit, Cabinet Office
• Dr Thomas Hale, associate professor of global public policy, University of Oxford

This was the first in a series of online events we will be hosting on the impact of the current health crisis on the environmental agenda.

This episode also covers food inequality, whether we need rationing, why food and health issues are inextricably linked with the economy, defence, risk, nature and biodiversity, and the urgent need for a food resilience plan.

With Green Alliance’s Shaun Spiers, he discusses immediate priorities for the sector in dealing with Covid-19 and how charitable organisations can emerge strong from the pandemic, and why we can’t hit pause on the important conservation services being carried out by environmental charities. 

Other issues discussed include: 
- The spectrum of environmental organisations and radicalism
- What’s wrong with ‘nature conservation’? 
- The need for more diversity in the sector
- How optimistic are environmentalists really?

Will panic buying lead to an avalanche of food waste?

How do priority waste and recycling services keep operating with 40 per cent of the workforce unable to work?

Is there a risk that the crisis will encourage throwaway living? 

Plus, is the quietness of electric vehicles really a safety issue? Hear Greg Archer debunk some common myths about electric vehicles.

They discuss why the bill matters, whether it will stand the test of time and whether it will be strong enough to set the right path for future governments to be able to reverse nature’s decline in the UK. 

Our new podcast brings you the highlights from the expert panel discussion that took place during the Green Innovation Policy Commission launch event in November 2019. 

This podcast begins with an introduction to green innovation through infrastructure delivery, provided by senior policy analyst Caterina Brandmayr.

You'll then hear the highlights from the event's discussion and the insightful contributions made by expert panellists John Cridland, Angela Francis, Laura Sandys and Jenifer Baxter as they gathered to discuss how infrastructure can enable the transition to a low carbon economy in the UK. 

Topics discussed include: low carbon infrastructure, a just transition, green economy, business, technological solutions, the power sector, holistic policy making, local and national leadership. 

We were joined by Rt Hon Ed Miliband, MP for Doncaster North and chair of the IPPR’s Environmental Justice Commission, Isabella Gornall, managing director of Seahorse Environmental Communications, Scarlett Westbrook, a Birmingham School Striker for Climate, and Leah Davis, senior adviser to the deputy mayor of London.

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Listen to the highlights from our discussion with Barbara Finamore, whose book 'Will China save the planet?' explores China’s global role on climate change.

Barbara was in conversation with Tom Hale, associate professor of global public policy and director of China engagement at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University. The event was chaired by Shaun Spiers, executive director, Green Alliance.

Topics discussed include: environmentalism, air pollution, renewable energy, electric vehicles, energy demand, resource and energy efficiency and the belt and road initiative.

Things get heated in this episode as we cover wildfires in the Arctic, a heatwave in the UK and a bonfire of environmental protections in Brazil. Plus, as Amy and Matt prepare for a summer break, listen to their predictions about what we can expect from environmental politics and policy on their return.

But first, does the new PM have any space on his desk for the environment and climate crisis?

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While England is just considering how a deposit return scheme for drinks containers will work, Scotland announced in January 2019 that it would definitely be having one and set out its overarching design in May, with a deadline of bringing the system in by 2020.

Join experts in resources and waste to discuss what needs to be done to ensure the system is effective, and how Scotland can build on these upcoming changes to bring innovation to the way we handle resources.

With Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland; Jenni Hume, campaign manager for Scotland's 'Have You Got the Bottle?'; Marcel Arsand, sustainability manager at Ball Beverage Packaging Europe; Libby Peake, senior policy adviser at Green Alliance; and Lesley Riddoch, Scottish journalist and broadcaster.

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First and foremost, however, we explore the Committee on Climate Change's latest report assessing the UK's progress against its climate targets. If it was a school report, how has the government scored?

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An episode of superlatives: Amy and Matt discuss the biggest ever parliamentary mass lobby on the environment; the UK becoming the first G7 economy with net zero emissions; and the third runway at Heathrow, an airport which is already the biggest single source of emissions in the UK. Three years after the EU referendum, Amy and Matt ask whether the UK is environmentally ready to leave the EU.

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Plus reasons to be cheerful: we celebrate the Welsh government's decision to protect the Gwent levels and not build the M4 Relief Road and Michael Gove's ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds.

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For this event, we were delighted to have Pascal Lamy, president emeritus of the Jacques Delors Institute and director-general of the World Trade Organization from 2005 to 2013, as our keynote speaker.

The keynote address was followed by a panel discussion addressing the importance of trade deals to clean growth and environmental protections, where trade negotiations could pose environmental risks and what the outline of a UK clean trade strategy might look like.

Expert panelists:
Dr Emily Lydgate, Senior lecturer in law, University of Sussex
Shaun Spiers, Executive director, Green Alliance
Maddy Thimont Jack, Senior researcher, Institute for Government

The event was chaired by Randeep Ramesh, Chief leader writer, The Guardian.

This event also launched a new report by Dr Markus Gehring, director of studies at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge and lead counsel at the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law, that looks at the legal framework to ensure high climate ambition within the UK and the EU agreement and other future trade deals.

See here for photos of the event and an event summary: https://wke.lt/w/s/t4XYvx

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Interested in what you're hearing? Here are some links to read on:

CCC
CCC, Twitter, https://twitter.com/theCCCuk/status/1123838886831120385
Roger Harrabin, BBC News, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48233548
Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/05/02/three-cheers-climate-committee-no-cost-zero-emissions/
Jonathan Ford, The Financial Times, https://www.ft.com/content/70d36c14-6db0-11e9-a9a5-351eeaef6d84

IPBES
Ruth Chambers, Inside Track, "Nature is in crisis: now the UK government must respond", https://greenallianceblog.org.uk/2019/05/09/nature-is-in-crisis-now-the-uk-government-must-respond/
The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/11/opinion/sunday/extinction-endangered-species-biodiversity.html
BBC News, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48104037

Europa and Champions league finals
The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/11/anger-carbon-bootprint-english-football-finals-champions-league-europa-league
Dara O'Briain tweet: https://twitter.com/daraobriain/status/1126609021719470081
The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/11/21/environmental-campaigners-back-telegraphs-call-premier-league/

Questions or comments? Tweet us @GreenAllianceUK!

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Interested in what you're hearing? Here are some links to read on:

Extinction Rebellion:
Rebecca Willis: https://greenallianceblog.org.uk/2019/04/23/after-extinction-rebellion-where-next-for-climate-politics/
James Murray: https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/blog-post/3074582/rebel-alliance

Environment Bill:
Ruth Chambers: https://greenallianceblog.org.uk/2019/04/25/mps-demand-more-from-the-environment-bill/
Environment Audit Committee, "Scrutiny of the Draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill" https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environmental-audit-committee/news-parliament-2017/draft-environment-bill-report-publication-17-19/
Amy Mount, "Some thoughts on the relationship between environmental progress and the #RuleOfLaw", https://twitter.com/ASmallAMount/status/1121413512855728129

Natural Climate Solutions:
Green Alliance, "Cutting the climate impact of land use", http://bit.ly/2DwAsFv
George Monbiot et al. https://www.naturalclimate.solutions/

And listen to the songs:
RSPB, "Let nature sing",https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/campaigning/let-nature-sing?utm_source=letnaturesing_shorturl&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=letnaturesing
Lil' Dicky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvuN_WvF1to

Questions or comments? Tweet us @GreenAllianceUK!

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This event launched our new report with The National Trust: New routes to decarbonise land use with Natural Infrastructure Schemes which investigates how a Natural Infrastructure Scheme (NIS) could be used to achieve land based carbon reductions. Find out more here: https://www.green-alliance.org.uk/new_routes_to_decarbonise_land_use.php

Questions or comments? Tweet us @GreenAllianceUK!

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Disasters Emergency Committee is still raising money for relief efforts - please consider donating: https://donation.dec.org.uk/cyclone#/

Interested in what you're hearing? Here are some links to read on:

Cyclone Idai

• Government response to Cyclone Idai, https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-03-26/HCWS1450
• Matt McGrath,BBC News, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-47638588
• Joe Sandler Clark, Unearthed, https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2018/10/16/uk-international-development-brexit-penny-mordaunt-climate-change/

Cumbria's coal mine

• UK Government, Powering Past Coal Alliance declaration, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/powering-past-coal-alliance-declaration
• Rebecca Willis, https://theconversation.com/britain-has-its-first-new-deep-coal-mine-in-decades-a-result-of-pretending-climate-change-isnt-political-114028?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1553240103
• Libby Peake, "UK steel must go green to survive", https://greenallianceblog.org.uk/2018/07/18/uk-steel-must-go-green-to-survive/
• Green Alliance,Completing the circle: creating effective UK markets for recovered resources, https://www.green-alliance.org.uk/completing_the_circle.php

Building on brownfield sites:

• CPRE, "State of Brownfield 2019", https://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/housing-and-planning/planning/item/5086-state-of-brownfield-2019
• Mark Wilding and James Agyepong-Parsons, ENDS report, https://www.endsreport.com/article/1579916/green-light-600-lodge-leisure-resort-despite-significant-adverse-impact-biodiversity
• Sarah George, edie.net, https://www.edie.net/news/11/Spring-Statement--Chancellor-unveils-new-sustainability-measures/

Questions or comments? Tweet us @GreenAllianceUK!

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The UK government is consulting on the design of the future energy system, to determine new rules and regulations around how we buy, sell and manage our energy. What do these changes mean for the development and direction of community energy over the next ten years? How can we ensure the future energy system is fair?

This event launched our new report Community Energy 2.0, alongside a Community Energy Manifesto signed by over twenty community energy and affiliated groups. Find out more here: https://www.green-alliance.org.uk/community_energy_2.0.php

Questions or comments? Tweet us @GreenAllianceUK!

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Our panel examines the government's proposals to bring in a deposit return scheme for beverage containers and to reform packaging regulations so that producers bear the full cost of dealing with material they put on the market. These major overhauls promise to change how producers, retailers, householders, local authority and waste managers deal with waste materials. However, it is important that these designs ensure the best environmental outcomes and avoid perverse or unintended consequences.

This event launched our new report, Closing the loop, which outlines the steps to almost 100 per cent aluminium packaging recycling. The report is a reminder that plastic isn't the only material and demonstrates what can be achieved through ambitious policy making. Find out more here: https://www.green-alliance.org.uk/resources/Closing_the_loop.pdf

Questions or comments? Tweet us @GreenAllianceUK!

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In this episode: how Brexit might affect the imported food we eat, politicians’ responses to the climate strikes, microplastics everywhere from Antarctica to a river in Manchester, and the Chancellor’s announcements of money for nature and the climate.

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This episode spans school strikes, hot weather, domestic heating, waste, Brexit and giant insects.

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Interested in what you're hearing? Here are some links to read on:

Brexit

• Greener UK, https://greeneruk.org/
• Fiona Harvey, "Brexit could be good for UK environment, says top government adviser", https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/07/brexit-good-news-uk-environment-common-agricultural-policy
• Gareth Simkins, "Theresa May backs vote on adopting EU green standards", https://www.endsreport.com/article/62123/theresa-may-backs-vote-on-adopting-eu-green-standards

Insect Armageddon

• Roger Harrabin, "Environment in multiple crises - report", https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-47203344
• Tom Clarke, "Insect mass extinction shock headlines do not tell whole story and risk undermining threat of declining numbers", https://www.itv.com/news/2019-02-11/insect-mass-extinction-headlines-do-not-tell-whole-story-and-risk-undermining-threat-of-declining-numbers/
• Damian Carrington, "Plummeting insect numbers 'threaten collapse of nature'", https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/10/plummeting-insect-numbers-threaten-collapse-of-nature

Green New Deal

• Green New Deal , https://apps.npr.org/documents/document.html?id=5729033-Green-New-Deal-FINAL
• Robinson Meyer, "The Green New Deal Hits Its First Major Snag", https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/first-fight-about-democrats-climate-green-new-deal/580543/
• Josh Seigel, "Republican lawmakers face pressure to propose 'Green New Deal' alternative", https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy/republican-lawmakers-face-pressure-to-propose-green-new-deal-alternative
• Twitter thread against scientists attacked GND: https://twitter.com/DoctorVive/status/1088096999147220993

Questions or comments? Tweet us @GreenAllianceUK!

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Panellists:

• Dawn Woodward, Defra’s Deputy Head Resources and Waste (Strategy and Regulation), who delivered a keynote address outlining how the new strategy will address the challenges.
• Emma Priestland, plastics campaigner, Friends of the Earth;
• Adam Read, external affairs director, SUEZ Recycling & Recovery UK;
• Libby Peake, senior policy adviser on resources, Green Alliance;
• Caroline Laurie, head of sustainability, Kingfisher plc

Chaired by our resources expert, Libby Peake.

See photos from the event.

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Joined by a panel of experts from industry, academia and the NGO community, we explored which resource efficiency policies people currently like and which they don’t – and why – and what this means for the government, policy makers and businesses.

See photos from the event.

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We explored how Norway and Switzerland work alongside the EU to raise global climate action and what a future UK-EU climate partnership, formal or otherwise, could mean for collaborative climate and energy policy across Europe.

See photos from the event here and an event summary

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This debate discusses the tensions between meeting these challenges and the different visions for the future of rural communities and landscapes.

Panellists:

• Liz Bowles, head of farming, Soil Association
• Tara Garnett, coordinator and lead researcher, Food Climate Research
• Christopher Price, director of policy and advice, CLA
• Ruth Davis, deputy director of Global Programmes at the RSPB

Chaired by Roger Harrabin, BBC environment and energy analyst.

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In this episode: What are the implications of giving up control of food standards to trading partners like the US? Will sourcing more food from abroad make our food system more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change? Should the government be trying to link up policy on environmental health and nutrition?

Chaired by Charlotte Smith, presenter of Farming Today on BBC Radio 4.

Panel:

• Sir Peter Kendall, chair, AHDB
• Anna Taylor OBE, executive director, The Food Foundation
• Vicki Hird, campaign coordinator for food and farming policy, Sustain
• Andrew Opie, director of food policy, British Retail Consortium

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Speakers

• Chair: Evan Davis, presenter, Newsnight
• Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation
• Sir Ian Cheshire, chairman, Barclays UK
• Alice Bell, director of communications, 10:10
• Chris Stark, chief executive, Committee on Climate Change

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In this episode: Is technology a force for good in environmentally sustainable food production? Or could it do more harm than good? And what are the wider social and ethical implications?

Panel:

• Simon Blackmore, head of robotics, Harper Adams University
• Helen Browning, chief executive, Soil Association
• Robin Grove-White, professor emeritus of environment and society, Lancaster University
• Alastair Cooper, organic farmer and senior investment director at ADM Capital

Chaired by Christine Tacon, the UK's groceries code adjudicator and former managing director of Co-operative Farms.

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