Human disruption of natural support systems is not only damaging wildlife and ecosystems, it is also putting the human population at considerable risk, as the emergence of Covid-19 has demonstrated. 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 hea...
May 12, 2020•22 min•Ep. 36
"A hopeful future and a better normal" 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 seri...
May 07, 2020•39 min•Ep. 35
Will the post-pandemic settlement be the beginning of a new normal or a return to old ways? 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 crise...
May 05, 2020•31 min•Ep. 34
This podcast episode is an insight into the carbon reduction plans of one of the UK’s largest National Park Authorities (NPA). 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...
Apr 28, 2020•21 min•Ep. 33
This podcast features the highlights from an hourlong expert discussion on what the coronavirus crisis means for climate action, including the postponement of COP26 and the economic consequences. 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 th...
Apr 22, 2020•46 min•Ep. 32
James Elliott interviews Tim Lang, professor of food policy and founder of the food policy centre at City, University of London. They discuss his new book Feeding Britain and the implications of coronavirus for the UK's food system. 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.
Apr 14, 2020•30 min•Ep. 31
As he takes up his new role at a historic moment for the UK, Craig Bennett, the incoming chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, reflects on his 18 years at Friends of the Earth and shares his vision for the sector. 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 cha...
Apr 07, 2020•28 min•Ep. 30
Waste and recycling operatives are designated as key workers by the government. Adam Read, external affairs director of waste management company SUEZ, and Libby Peake, head of resource policy at Green Alliance discuss the implications for the industry and what’s needed to make sure essential recycling and waste services continue to function safely and efficiently during the COVID-19 outbreak. Will panic buying lead to an avalanche of food waste? How do priority waste and recycling services keep ...
Mar 31, 2020•26 min•Ep. 29
In this episode, Ruth Chambers, parliamentary adviser at Green Alliance interviews Sir David Natzler, former Clerk and principal constitutional adviser to the House of Commons. Together, they discuss what coronavirus means for public engagement with parliament and how it is affecting the passage of important environmental legislation.
Mar 27, 2020•22 min•Ep. 28
This episode Transport and Environment's Greg Archer discusses issues around the rise of electric vehicles with Chaitanya Kumar, including the UK's ban on diesel and petrol vehicles and the effectiveness of the measures introduced in the 2020 budget. Plus, is the quietness of electric vehicles really a safety issue? Hear Greg Archer debunk some common myths about electric vehicles.
Mar 23, 2020•31 min•Ep. 27
Ali Plummer of the RSPB and Ruth Chambers of Greener UK have both worked at the heart of bringing the Environment Bill to parliament and they have strong views about what needs to happen to make sure it is the landmark legislation that has been promised. 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.
Mar 09, 2020•22 min•Ep. 26
What are the building blocks needed for a green economy? How can the government make sure UK infrastructure is planned and managed to promote innovative low carbon solutions? And what role do businesses and the public play in making this a reality? 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...
Feb 19, 2020•18 min•Ep. 25
We welcomed a fantastic range of panellists to discuss this new legislation and to share ideas on how we can make the most of this 'climate moment'. 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. Music by Podington Bear used un...
Aug 29, 2019•31 min•Ep. 24
In response to Extinction Rebellion’s recent climate protests in the UK, some suggested that China would be a more legitimate target for protest. But what is China doing to address its domestic environmental crisis and transform the world's second largest economy away from highly polluting industry towards clean energy, services and innovation? Listen to the highlights from our discussion with Barbara Finamore, whose book 'Will China save the planet?' explores China’s global role on climate chan...
Aug 13, 2019•46 min•Ep. 23
The latest insights into environmental policy and politics, both in the UK and abroad. 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? Music by Podin...
Aug 01, 2019•25 min•Ep. 22
Did you know? Waste and resources policy is a devolved matter in the UK and if it was a race to design a world leading recycling system, Scotland would be winning. 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 e...
Jul 30, 2019•17 min•Ep. 21
As media focuses on leaked documents from the UK ambassador to the US, you might have missed President Trump’s speech on the environment. We take a look at the US media reaction and pick some of the best questions from journalists. We consider the environmental commitments of the contenders for the Conservative and Lib Dem leadership. Plus, scientists have concluded that trillions of trees might be one of the best ways to reduce emissions - but it’s a report that’s not without controversy. First...
Jul 11, 2019•25 min•Ep. 20
The latest insights into environmental policy and politics in the UK and abroad. 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. Music by Podington Bear...
Jun 26, 2019•27 min•Ep. 19
In this episode: Amy and Matt investigate the green surge in the European parliamentary elections and look ahead to another really significant election - but one with a much smaller electorate: the race to become the next Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister, following Theresa May’s resignation. Plus, can we achieve #coalfreeforever? Amy and Matt celebrate the UK's longest period without burning coal for electricity since the Industrial Revolution. Plus reasons to be cheerful: we celebra...
Jun 06, 2019•29 min•Ep. 18
The UK is in the midst of a tumultuous redefinition of its place in the world. Its success to date has been built on high environmental standards, reinforced by its position in the EU. Depending on our future relationship with the EU, what is the likely future for our domestic and international environmental ambitions as a result of new trade deals, both with the EU and other major trading blocs? For this event, we were delighted to have Pascal Lamy , president emeritus of the Jacques Delors Ins...
Jun 03, 2019•29 min•Ep. 17
In this episode: what do we know and how should we act? We look at two major reports that have landed with an almighty thump: the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) report on net zero and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report on species loss. Plus, we join climate twitter in the campaign for two football finals to come home to the UK. Interested in what you're hearing? Here are some links to read on: CCC CCC, Twitter, https://twitter.c...
May 15, 2019•23 min•Ep. 16
In this episode: extinction rebellion, MPs' responses to the draft Environment Bill and natural climate solutions. Plus we discuss climate change in pop culture: RSPB's dawn song competing with Taylor Swift and Lil' Dicky's 'Earth' feat 30 celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio. 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 Mur...
May 01, 2019•26 min•Ep. 15
Changes to the way we manage and use land will play a vital role in achieving the UK’s climate change objectives in the coming decades. Currently, farmers and land managers can sell carbon credits for woodland and peatland projects to businesses wanting to reduce their environmental impact. However, the voluntary carbon market is small. This podcast discusses how we can boost the amount of funding available for UK carbon markets which could help to decarbonise agriculture and re carbonise soil. ...
Apr 16, 2019•31 min•Ep. 14
In this episode: are we going back to the 20th century? We look at plans for a new coal mine in Cumbria which has just been approved by the local council, CPRE's new report on how new homes should be built on recycled land, and we discuss the devastating impacts of Cyclone Idai on the global South. 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...
Apr 03, 2019•20 min•Ep. 13
From rooftop and community solar to electric vehicles and heat pumps, the UK’s low carbon transition is driving change. One study estimates that 11 million households in the country could be producing or storing energy by 2030, compared to under a million today. 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 en...
Mar 29, 2019•22 min•Ep. 12
The UK government is in the middle of four substantial consultations aiming to reboot a recycling system in the UK currently stalling at best, and failing at worst. 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 m...
Mar 28, 2019•23 min•Ep. 11
Our fortnightly round up of the top environmental topics in the news, hosted by Amy Mount and Matt Williams. 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. Music by Podington Bear used under Creative Commons licence.
Mar 20, 2019•25 min•Ep. 10
Our fortnightly round up of the top environmental topics in the news, hosted by Amy Mount and Matt Williams. This episode spans school strikes, hot weather, domestic heating, waste, Brexit and giant insects. Music by Podington Bear used under Creative Commons licence.
Mar 01, 2019•24 min•Ep. 9
In this episode: will our insects still be here in 100 years? We'll be discussing the threat of global insect collapse, the launch of the Green New Deal and the environmental implications of Brexit. 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-po...
Feb 15, 2019•25 min•Ep. 8
The highlights from our recent event marking one year on from the Chinese ban on 'foreign garbage'. Hear voices from across the recycling and waste sector, including Defra, Suez and Friends of the Earth, as we seek to move the debate on plastics forward. Which countries has the ban most effected, what is the UK doing to tackle the problem and why is it so important to take our waste seriously? Panellists: Dawn Woodward , Defra’s Deputy Head Resources and Waste (Strategy and Regulation), who deli...
Feb 14, 2019•27 min•Ep. 7
