Environmental Impact Assessments Masterclass 2024  |  10 December 2024  - CMS, London

This event has passed - Register interest for 2025
Registration and refreshments
08:45  to  09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30  to  09:50
  • What is the future of environmental assessments?
  • Direction of travel for EIA - what do developers need to be aware of? 
Speaker:
Dr Rufus Howard. Impact Assessment and Sustainable Finance Policy Lead. IEMA.
Panel Discussion: What are the factors influencing environmental assessments and the possible implications for projects in 2025?
09:50  to  10:35
  • Finch vs Surrey County Council – what does the ruling mean for future schemes?
  • What policy is needed to support the future of environmental assessments?
  • Improving the existing EIA regime to support new projects
  • Uncertainties facing assessments in 2025 and key solutions to overcome them
Speakers:
Estelle Dehon KC. Cornerstone Barristers.
Josh Fothergill. Founder & Director. Fothergill Training & Consulting.
Duncan Smart. Senior Planning & Environmental Policy Manager. ScottishPower Renewables.
Morning networking and refreshments
10:35  to  11:05
Successfully conducting environmental assessments - meeting all requirements throughout the process
11:05  to  11:30
  • Best practice for ensuring full compliance for your project
  • Identifying key areas of risk
  • The implications of onshore wind using the NSIP process
Speaker:
Rebecca Roffe. Partner. CMS.
Successfully ensuring proportionality – delivering a detailed but proportionate assessment without over-scoping
11:30  to  11:55
  • Scoping correctly – identifying what is needed and what can be excluded
  • Strengthening collaboration between stakeholders to create a more focused approach during scoping
Speaker:
Jane Cassidy. Technical Director – Environmental Planning and Consents. Arcadis.
Transitioning to digital EIA – employing digital tools to enhance efficiency and accessibility
11:55  to  12:20
  • Developing a digital EIA
  • Innovations for data collection and management – considering the potential of AI for environmental assessments
  • Making information more accessible – effectively implementing digital reporting
Speakers:
Preeyus Patel. Associate Director of Environmental and Sustainability. AECOM.
Peter Hurley. Senior Data Scientist. AECOM.
Networking Lunch
12:20  to  13:20
Practical guidance for designing and implementing biodiversity net gain in development
13:20  to  13:50
  • Planning and delivering a successful BNG proposal in parallel with EIA
  • Maximising the potential of BNG by creating bespoke offset for your development
  • Challenges that have emerged since the introduction of new requirements
Speaker:
Sophie Mairesse. Ecologist and BNG Lead - Works Delivery Southern Region. Network Rail.
Embedding social value – generating positive outcome for communities
13:50  to  14:20
  • Where does social value fit within infrastructure projects?
  • Integrating social impact methodologies into the EIA process
  • Measuring the possible social value outcome of a scheme
Speakers:
Alex O’Byrne. Partner. Volterra.
Peta Donkin. Director (EIA). LDA Design.
Afternoon networking and refreshments
14:20  to  14:50
Case study: lessons learnt from successful projects
14:50  to  15:15
  • Conducting EIA for large developments vs smaller schemes
  • Identifying challenges faced during EIAs at an early stage
  • Facilitating collaboration with multiple stakeholders involved in the process
Speaker:
Emanuele Stella. Technical Director - Head of Offshore Renewables. ITPEnergised part of SLR.
Identifying best mitigation practices – avoiding and minimising impacts of projects
15:15  to  15:40
  • How to effectively implement the mitigation hierarchy
  • Understanding what mitigation measures are more effective for your scheme
  • Early integration of mitigation measure into design
  • Mitigation approaches when considering cumulative effects
Speaker:
Anna-Maria Sexton. UK & Europe Environmental and Social Discipline Lead – Hydrogen & CCS. bp.
Monitoring impacts throughout project delivery to ensure environmental compliance
15:40  to  16:05
  • Implementing feedback mechanisms - adapting and evaluating mitigation measures
  • Preparing plans for addressing unexpected environmental impacts
  • Maintaining open communication with stakeholders to ensure long-term monitoring
Speaker:
Duncan Smart. Senior Planning & Environmental Policy Manager. ScottishPower Renewables.
Chair’s closing remarks
16:05  to  16:15
Close of conference and networking drinks
16:15  to  17:30

*All sessions include time for Q & A* 

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