Registration and refreshments
08:45 to
09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Speaker:
Rufus Howard.
Impact Assessment and Sustainable Finance Policy Lead.
IEMA.
Establishing a roadmap for the delivery of Environmental Outcomes Reports – next steps for transitioning to a new system
09:40 to
10:05
- Timelines and priorities for EOR implementation
- What does an outcomes-based approach for environmental studies look like?
- Aligning EOR with the Clean Power 2030 and housing targets
Effectively conducting environment studies while preparing for policy changes – what do developers need to be aware of?
10:05 to
10:30
- Where are we now with the current EIA regime?
- Recent judicial reviews resulting from inadequate environmental studies – how to avoid legal challenges
- What proposed changes included in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill could mean for environmental studies?
The new role of Natural England in delivering the environmental outcomes needed for future projects
10:30 to
10:55
- How are Natural England’s responsibilities for implementing conservation measures evolving?
- How will Environment Delivery Plans be developed?
- Updates on the Nature Restoration Fund – protecting nature while supporting growth
Morning networking and refreshments
10:55 to
11:20
Panel discussion: Environmental assessment under transformation – future direction, opportunities and implications arising from planning reforms
11:20 to
12:05
- Is the proposed EOR system fit for purpose?
- What more is needed to simplify the existing system and reduce delays?
- Coordinating assessments with Environmental Delivery Plans – addressing environmental issues at a strategic level
- Will the new Nature Restoration Fund allow developers to meet environmental obligations faster?
Speaker:
Josh Fothergill.
Founder & Director.
Fothergill Training & Consulting Ltd.
Embedding environmental studies into wider project planning – best approaches for integrating EIA with your consent strategy
12:05 to
12:30
- Developing a coordinated schedule for EIA that aligns with consenting timelines
- Identifying common areas of delays as you progress your schemes through the planning process
- How does conducting an EIA at an early stage influence project design and delivery?
Networking Lunch
12:30 to
13:30
Implementing biodiversity net gain for NSIPs – key insight and lessons learned ahead of May 2026 requirements
13:30 to
13:55
• The latest updates on the recent consultation – what is being proposed?
• Preparing a BNG delivery plan for major infrastructure - what needs to be done for designing a successful BNG strategy?
• What can developers do if 10% biodiversity net gain can’t be achieved? What are alternative options?
Building climate resilience into your scheme by assessing climate change impacts and the most effective adaptation measures
13:55 to
14:20
- Evaluating the vulnerability of a project to climate change – considering flood risks and extreme weather events
- Identifying in-combination effects – understand how climate change will increase or diminish existent impacts of development
- Choosing the right adaptation responses to climate risks
- Exploring how your development might contribute to climate change
Case Study: Delivering cumulative effects assessments as part of EIA – what works best?
14:20 to
14:45
- Examples of possible cumulative impacts – what are the different types?
- Ensuring coordinated mitigation approaches to reduce combined effects
- Facilitating data collection and sharing across the sector to better analyse cumulative impacts
Afternoon networking and refreshments
14:45 to
15:15
Panel discussion: Unlocking effective EIAs through stronger stakeholder engagement – overcoming barriers to building positive relationships
15:15 to
16:00
- Best practice for presenting preliminary information and findings to stakeholders
- Demonstrating how stakeholders input has been integrated into project design and decision-making
- Increasing collaboration to coordinate timelines and priorities for delivering EIA
- What is the impact of removing pre-application consultation requirements on environmental studies?
Effective digital scoping – leveraging new technologies to deliver a proportionate environmental assessment
16:00 to
16:25
- Scoping out potential impacts at the early stage by implementing predictive AI models
- How can data be collected and used effectively for delivering EIA?
- Streamlining the scoping process with digital solutions – potential applications
Chair’s closing remarks
16:25 to
16:35
Speaker:
Rufus Howard.
Impact Assessment and Sustainable Finance Policy Lead.
IEMA.
Close of conference and networking drinks
16:35 to
17:09