This conference will examine key priorities and latest thinking on protecting and enhancing the natural environment in the UK.

It will be a timely opportunity to examine the direction of policy under new political leadership with discussion expected on government plans and legislative proposals, the upcoming mandatory biodiversity net gain, the future for the ELMs, and wider issues in environmental policy.

It comes with the upcoming Environmental Improvement Plan expected in early 2023, Biodiversity Net Gain set to become mandatory in November 2023, and in the context of:

• the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme and Biodiversity Net Gain – how they will work in practice
• the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022 – currently progressing through parliament
• environmental land management schemes – currently under review by the Government
• the Nature Recovery Green Paper – with the Government considering its response
• wider policy developments including the Environment Act, the Agriculture Act and progress on the 25 Year Environment Plan

Stakeholders and policymakers will assess the way forward for preparation and implementation of new government plans and legislation, and priorities for policy frameworks and guidance.

Delegates will also consider proposals around ELMs including their impact on biodiversity, whole-system approaches to protecting the environment, opportunities for nature-based solutions and priorities for funding, as well as next steps for habitat and species protection, landscape recovery, and supporting communities and local authorities.

The Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum are very pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with Trudy Harrison MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Natural Environment and Land Use, Defra; Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair, Office of Environmental Protection; and John Leyland, Executive Director of Environment and Business Directorate, Environment Agency.

Overall, sessions in the agenda look at:

• long term priorities: natural environment protection – examining current standards and regulation
• the next EIP: the role of the upcoming Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment
• latest thinking: whole-system approaches for protecting the environment – nature-based solutions
• funding nature recovery: securing investment – use of natural capital accounting for asset use and protection
• policy priorities: preparing for Biodiversity Net Gain – nature recovery – meeting targets set out in the Environment Act