Michael Lunn, Author at Environmental Industries Association

Environmental Industries Association Response to Budget 2026

Posted on 28 October 202628 October 2026 by Michael Lunn

The Budget 2026 contains a number of significant measures affecting environmental services, climate policy, land remediation, housing delivery, biodiversity, infrastructure and public finances. While the Budget provides welcome support for brownfield housing development, industrial decarbonisation and energy affordability, it stops short of addressing several longstanding barriers to environmental investment, most notably the absence of any review or reform of Land Remediation Relief.

Executive Summary

Budget 2026 seeks to balance fiscal discipline with economic growth, maintaining government borrowing on a downward trajectory while continuing significant public investment. The government states that borrowing will fall throughout the forecast period, with debt lower at the end of the forecast than today and fiscal rules met through a combination of targeted taxation measures and expenditure restraint.

For the environmental sector, the most notable announcements are:

A new exemption from Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements for small residential developments on brownfield land up to 1.5 hectares.
Continued backing for clean energy, grid infrastructure and industrial decarbonisation, including electricity cost reductions for energy-intensive industries and investment through the new Energy Wealth Fund.
Planning and infrastructure reforms aimed at accelerating delivery of major projects and housing.
Publication of further reforms to energy markets designed to reduce reliance on volatile gas prices and support electrification.
Confirmation that the government will respond to the Alan Milburn review on young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) before the end of the year, followed by a White Paper in early 2027.

However, no announcement was made regarding a review or enhancement of Land Remediation Relief, despite its importance in unlocking contaminated land regeneration, brownfield redevelopment and environmental clean-up projects. This remains a significant missed opportunity. The Budget contains extensive measures to support housing and brownfield regeneration but no corresponding commitment to improve fiscal incentives for remediation activity.

Brownfield Development and Biodiversity Net Gain

The Government has clearly prioritised housing delivery and brownfield regeneration. The headline environmental planning measure is the exemption of residential brownfield developments up to 1.5 hectares from Biodiversity Net Gain requirements. The Government argues this will make development “cheaper and simpler” while supporting a brownfield-first approach to housing delivery.

While this may accelerate smaller housing schemes, environmental stakeholders will want reassurance that nature recovery outcomes are not weakened and that brownfield redevelopment continues to incorporate proportionate environmental enhancement where feasible.

Land Remediation Relief: A Missed Opportunity

The Budget includes substantial support for housing delivery, urban regeneration and brownfield land. However, there was no announcement regarding a review of Land Remediation Relief. Across the environmental services sector, this will be viewed as a notable omission.

Land Remediation Relief remains one of the few tax mechanisms specifically designed to incentivise the clean-up of contaminated land. In the context of the Government’s ambition to unlock more brownfield housing, encourage regeneration and increase development viability, many in the sector had hoped for:

A review of the effectiveness of Land Remediation Relief.
Modernisation of qualifying criteria.
Enhanced incentives for difficult contaminated sites.
Stronger links between remediation, development and climate resilience objectives.

Without stronger remediation incentives, challenging brownfield sites may remain economically unviable despite planning reforms and BNG exemptions.

Climate Change and Net Zero

The Budget reaffirms the Government’s commitment to lower-carbon growth and energy security, although the emphasis is increasingly on affordability and competitiveness.

Measures include:

Establishment of a new Energy Wealth Fund with £2 billion in capital support.
Electricity bill reductions for over 10,000 energy-intensive manufacturers through the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.
Continued investment in nuclear, renewable energy and grid expansion.
Reform of energy pricing and removal of planned hydrogen levies on consumer bills.
Freezing Climate Change Levy rates on electricity from 2028.

The Budget notably frames climate action increasingly through economic resilience, energy security and competitiveness rather than solely carbon reduction.

Environmental Regulation and Natural Capital

The Government continues its wider programme of regulatory reform, including exploration of more efficient environmental regulation and land management systems whilst maintaining environmental protections.

The new Better Regulation Executive and proposals to reduce administrative burdens may create opportunities to streamline environmental permitting, planning and regulatory processes. However, implementation will need careful scrutiny to ensure environmental outcomes are not compromised.

Fiscal Position, Debt and Borrowing

The Budget is strongly framed around fiscal discipline.

Key fiscal indicators include:

Stability rule met with £15 billion of headroom in 2029-30.
Investment rule met with £24 billion of headroom.
Public sector borrowing falling from 4.2% of GDP to 1.8% by 2031-32.
Debt forecast to be lower at the end of the forecast period than today.
OBR forecasts approximately £14 billion per year in additional debt interest costs driven by global instability and higher borrowing costs.

For environmental businesses, the commitment to maintaining investment while reducing borrowing provides some certainty around future infrastructure and energy programmes, although pressure on public spending remains evident.

Milburn Review and Skills

The Budget confirms government support for Alan Milburn’s review into young people not in employment, education or training. The Government states it will respond to the final report before the end of the year and publish a White Paper in early 2027.

This is particularly relevant for environmental industries facing ongoing recruitment and skills shortages across:

Environmental consultancy.
Land remediation.
Waste and resource management.
Air quality.
Water management.
Environmental monitoring.
Green infrastructure and climate resilience.

The environmental sector should position itself to benefit from future employment and apprenticeship reforms flowing from the Milburn recommendations.

“This Budget contains several welcome measures that could help unlock brownfield development, support industrial decarbonisation and strengthen the UK’s long-term energy security. The exemption of smaller brownfield developments from Biodiversity Net Gain requirements and continued investment in clean energy infrastructure demonstrate a clear desire to accelerate growth and housing delivery.

However, the Environmental Industries Association is disappointed that no review of Land Remediation Relief was announced. If the Government is serious about bringing difficult brownfield sites back into productive use, remediation incentives must form part of the solution. Cleaning up contaminated land delivers economic growth, environmental improvement and housing delivery simultaneously.

We also welcome the Government’s commitment to respond to the Milburn Review before the end of the year. With significant skills shortages across the environmental services and technology sector, future employment and skills reforms represent a major opportunity to connect more young people with high-quality careers that support the UK’s environmental, infrastructure and climate resilience ambitions.” Michael Lunn, CEO, Environmental Industries Association

#HMTreasury #Budget2026

Reflections from Labour Party Conference 2026: What Andy Burnham’s Speech Means for the Environmental Sector

Posted on 30 September 202630 September 2026 by Michael Lunn

As Labour Party Conference drew to a close in Liverpool, Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s keynote speech offered perhaps the clearest indication yet of the Government’s direction of travel on energy, infrastructure, public services and economic renewal. For those of us attending on behalf of Environmental Industries Association (EIA) members, one message stood out: environmental policy is increasingly being embedded within wider discussions on growth, competitiveness and national resilience, rather than being treated as a standalone agenda.

The headline environmental and business announcement was the proposal for a publicly owned GB Grid under the wider Great British Energy framework. With energy costs continuing to challenge both households and businesses, the ambition to bring UK energy prices closer to European competitors within a decade could have significant implications for investment, infrastructure delivery and industrial competitiveness. For EIA members working across energy management, environmental consultancy, air quality, noise, remediation and sustainability, the signal was clear: energy infrastructure is now a core economic priority.

The wider theme of “rewiring” Britain through investment in energy, housing, water and transport infrastructure presents substantial opportunities for the environmental sector. Delivery at this scale will require environmental assessment, permitting, compliance, monitoring and risk management expertise. However, it was also noticeable that specific technical environmental issues received limited attention. Biodiversity, brownfield remediation, circular economy, PFAS, air quality and noise management were largely absent from the main stage discussion.

Water was another prominent topic, with stronger oversight and intervention highlighted as areas for future reform. For businesses involved in water quality, pollution prevention, environmental monitoring and flood resilience, this is likely to be a policy area worth watching closely.

Interestingly, two of the biggest policy conversations taking place around conference were only lightly touched on during the speech itself: artificial intelligence and defence spending. Across fringe events and business discussions, both were repeatedly highlighted as future drivers of public and private investment. AI is rapidly becoming a major consideration for infrastructure planning, energy demand, environmental monitoring, compliance and productivity. Likewise, growing commitments to defence and national security are likely to drive significant investment in manufacturing, logistics, energy resilience and critical infrastructure. Yet questions remain about how these priorities will interact with already ambitious commitments on energy transition, public services, housing and environmental improvement.

Perhaps the most interesting takeaway was not what was said, but what was left unsaid. The speech focused heavily on structural economic reform, affordability and infrastructure, with environmental outcomes framed as part of delivering growth and public value. The challenge for our sector is ensuring that environmental considerations remain central as these ambitions move from rhetoric to delivery.

Beyond the main speeches, skills, education and local government reform featured prominently in conversations across the conference. Universities expressed concern over the UK’s 1.2 million young people classified as NEETs and what many perceived as growing Government criticism that higher education is not adequately preparing students for employment. In response, university leaders highlighted significant financial pressures, pointing particularly to declining international student numbers and the increasing difficulty of sustaining institutions on domestic fee income alone. There were also concerns that changes to entry requirements across parts of the Russell Group had intensified competition for student recruitment across the sector, raising wider questions about financial viability, with some attendees suggesting that institutional restructuring or failure could not be ruled out. Alongside this, local government reorganisation remained a key topic of discussion, with Angela Rayner reaffirming the Government’s intention to pursue Local Government Reorganisation at pace. Delegates noted that the move towards larger unitary authorities could have significant implications for planning, infrastructure delivery, skills provision, economic development and environmental services.

However, a primary question raised repeatedly in conversations throughout conference was simple: where will the money come from? The ambition on energy infrastructure, water reform, housing, social care, AI capability and defence resilience is significant. With the Chancellor’s Budget now less than a month away, many of the funding, regulatory and delivery questions behind these ambitions may soon face much closer scrutiny.

Reflecting on a week of discussions across Liverpool, environmental policy is no longer confined to sessions labelled “environment”. It now sits at the heart of debates on growth, infrastructure, energy security, national resilience, AI, defence capability and housing delivery. That presents both a challenge and an opportunity for EIA members to ensure environmental expertise is recognised not as an obstacle to progress, but as a critical enabler of the UK’s future economy.

#LabourConference2026 #EnvironmentalIndustries #Infrastructure #EnergyTransition #ArtificialIntelligence #Defence #Resilience #IndustrialStrategy #WaterQuality #NetZero #Sustainability #EnvironmentalManagement #EIA #Policy #Growth #UKInfrastructure

Industry Trade body Calls for Climate Resilience to become a National Mission

Posted on 16 August 202616 August 2026 by Michael Lunn

Business leaders urge Government and all political parties to wake up to the very real impacts of our changing environment and unite around resilience and adaptation in order to achieve energy security and economic prosperity.

The urgency of this challenge has been brought sharply into focus in recent days. For the first time, millions of people across England and Wales received a Government Emergency Alert on their mobile phones warning of the severe wildfire risk facing the country, highlighting the extent to which climate-related threats are now directly affecting communities and public safety. At the same time, the UK has experienced one of its most extreme summers on record, with prolonged periods of exceptional heat and drought. The nationally recognised weather station at RHS Garden Wisley has reportedly recorded more than 60 consecutive days without measurable rainfall, underlining concerns that this could be the driest and hottest summer ever experienced in parts of the country. These events demonstrate why climate resilience and adaptation can no longer be viewed as future challenges but must instead become immediate national priorities.

The Environmental Industries Association (EIA) Climate Change Working Group, which all other committees of the EIA feed into and which is chaired by former Environment Minister Rebecca Pow, met on 3 August 2026 and agreed that the UK must move beyond fragmented climate policymaking towards a comprehensive national strategy centred on Climate Resilience.

Bringing together leaders from across the environmental, water, energy, building, health and infrastructure sectors, the Working Group concluded that climate change can no longer be treated as a stand-alone environmental issue. Instead it has a fundamental impact on overall economic stability through its affect on energy security, water resilience, healthy buildings, food security, infrastructure and public health.

The EIA Climate Change Working Group concluded that climate resilience should be understood as the UK’s ability to keep its economy, infrastructure, energy systems, water resources and communities functioning in the face of climate change and global shocks.

The Group agreed that resilience should not be presented as an alternative to Net Zero, but rather as the means through which the UK delivers a more secure, affordable and prosperous transition.

The Group reaffirmed its support for the UK’s legally binding Net Zero 2050 target, which business leaders described as setting a marker to drive action. Critically industry had a special call for a stronger focus on resilience and adaptation necessary to deliver security that will make the transition more durable politically and more meaningful to households, communities and businesses.

The discussion was informed by the EIA’s recent Climate Resilience Position Paper and policy recommendations to Government, which set out a framework for embedding resilience across national policy, infrastructure planning and investment.

Rebecca Pow: Resilience Is the Route to Net Zero

Rebecca Pow, Chair of the EIA Climate Change Working Group and former Minister for Nature and the Environment, said:

“Climate change is no longer a future challenge. It is already affecting our economy, our water supplies, our homes, our food systems and our national resilience. Businesses engaged across the environmental sector are clear that adaptation and mitigation must now be treated with equal urgency.

“The EIA’s position is straightforward. Climate resilience complements Net Zero, it does not replace it. If we want to maintain public support and political consensus, we must show how climate action strengthens energy security, protects communities, supports economic growth and improves people’s everyday lives.

“This is not simply an environmental agenda. It is an agenda for national security, economic resilience and public wellbeing.”

A Call to All Political Parties

The Working Group agreed that climate resilience should be an area where there is scope for constructive engagement across the political spectrum. This should not be turned into a political football.

The EIA believes that different political parties are increasingly arriving at similar consensus, even when their proposed solutions differ and this consensus needs to be conveyed and interpreted into action. The Committee discussed the positions being taken by current political parties. (See summary in Editors Notes.)

Rebecca Pow says : “Climate resilience should not be a partisan issue. Whether viewed through the lens of growth, security, sovereignty, affordability, environmental protection or public health, the objective is the same: building a Britain that is better prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the coming decades. We owe it to future generations to address this and urgently. ”

The EIA believes the shared goal should be creating a UK that is more secure, more prosperous and better prepared for climate impacts.

Three Priority Asks for Government

The Working Group identified three immediate policy priorities where the environmental industry has particular expertise and authority.

Put Adaptation on a Statutory Footing

The EIA is calling for adaptation to be placed alongside emissions reduction within UK climate law, with clear duties on Government and robust oversight.

The Group highlighted that while the UK has a strong legal framework for reducing emissions, adaptation remains comparatively weak despite increasing threats from flooding, heatwaves, drought and infrastructure disruption.

Deliver an Integrated National Water Resilience Strategy

The Working Group called for a statutory national strategy covering:

Water supply
Flood resilience
Drought preparedness
Catchment management
Water quality
Agricultural resilience
Emerging contaminants such as PFAS

Members agreed that water security must now be treated as critical national infrastructure and placed on an equal footing with energy security.

Create Resilient and Healthy Buildings

The Group called for reforms to building regulations and retrofit programmes that address:

Indoor air quality
Ventilation
Moisture control
Overheating
Energy efficiency

Members stressed that buildings are not simply energy assets but critical public-health infrastructure.

Addressing the Cost of Inaction

The Working Group heard evidence that poor housing conditions already cost the NHS around £1.4 billion each year, while climate-related overheating risks could affect the overwhelming majority of UK homes by mid-century if action is not taken.

Members also discussed growing concerns around climate-related insurance risks, including flooding, overheating, subsidence and coastal exposure.

The EIA is proposing exploration of a national climate risk-sharing framework to ensure communities, businesses and public finances remain protected from escalating climate impacts.

Skills and Workforce Remain the Greatest Constraint

A recurring theme throughout the meeting was that delivery capacity has become one of the UK’s biggest challenges.

The Working Group acknowledged evidence indicating that the clean-energy and resilience workforce must expand significantly by 2030 while large numbers of experienced workers approach retirement.

Participants agreed that achieving climate resilience will require:

Expanded apprenticeships
Skills investment
Workforce planning
Greater collaboration between industry, government and education providers

Without the workforce to design, build and maintain resilient infrastructure, members concluded that policy ambition alone will be insufficient.

Industry Leadership

Michael Lunn, Chief Executive of the Environmental Industries Association, said:

“What emerged from this meeting was a strong industry consensus that resilience must become a central organising principle for public policy.

“Our members are the companies delivering solutions on the ground. Whether it is water infrastructure, healthy buildings, flood protection, environmental monitoring, clean technologies or nature-based solutions, they are already helping communities adapt to a changing climate.

“The challenge now is creating a policy framework that recognises adaptation, resilience and delivery capacity as national priorities. The UK’s climate goals will only be achieved if we have the government signals, the people, infrastructure and investment needed to deliver them.”

Climate Resilience: The Route to a Stronger Britain

The Environmental Industries Association will now engage with ministers, parliamentarians and stakeholders across all political parties to advance its recommendations during the 2026-27 Parliamentary Session.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Environmental Industries Association (EIA) Climate Change Working Group met on 3 August 2026 under the chairmanship of Rebecca Pow.

Key recommendations include:

Statutory climate adaptation objectives.
A national water resilience strategy.
Delivery of resilient and healthy buildings.
Greater focus on climate risk and insurance resilience.
Workforce and skills planning as a core element of climate delivery.
A national climate resilience framework integrating adaptation, energy security, water security and economic resilience.

Party Political Positions

For the Labour Government, resilience aligns with ambitions for economic growth, clean energy deployment and infrastructure renewal through Great British Energy.
For the Conservative Party, resilience provides a framework that speaks directly to concerns around affordability, national security, energy independence and protecting taxpayers from escalating climate-related liabilities.
For the Liberal Democrats, support is proposed for stronger adaptation measures, environmental protection and community resilience.
For the Reform UK Party engagement with resilience is an option through priorities such as energy sovereignty, domestic industrial capacity, infrastructure resilience and reducing Britain’s exposure to international economic and geopolitical shocks.
For the Green Party, it reinforces the urgency of both climate action and long-term investment in adaptation and nature recovery.

For media enquiries:

Environmental Industries Association (EIA)www.EIAssociation.co.uk Press Office: news@EIAssociation.co.uk

Chief Executive: Michael Lunn

Chair: Rebecca Pow

For further information, please contact: Environmental Industries Association news@EIAssociation.co.uk

For more information on the work of the EIA Climate Resilience Working Group Climate Change – Environmental Industries Association

For more information on upcoming events and policy debates please go to: www.EIAssociation.co.uk/events

For more information please contact:

Environment Industries Association (EIA)Membership@EIAssociation.co.uk 0789 4062727www.EIAssociation.co.uk

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Announces Resignation; Leadership Contest Underway

Posted on 22 June 202622 June 2026 by Michael Lunn

The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced his resignation as Leader of the Labour Party. He will remain in office as Prime Minister on an interim basis until the Labour Party has formally elected a new leader.

The Labour Party’s governing bodies are expected to initiate a leadership contest through the Parliamentary Labour Party, with a timetable designed to ensure continuity of government while enabling a full and robust selection process.

Early indications suggest that the contest may favour Andy Burnham, who is expected to return to Parliament as a Member of Parliament shortly, positioning him as a leading contender in the leadership race.

The Labour Party has emphasised that the leadership process will be used not only to select a new leader but also to rigorously test and refine policy priorities in preparation for the next phase of government.

A new Labour Leader—and therefore Prime Minister—is expected to be confirmed by July, ahead of the Parliamentary summer recess. This timetable is designed to allow the incoming Prime Minister the summer period to establish their leadership team and agenda, with Parliament reconvening in September.

Michael Lunn, Chief Executive of the Environmental Industries Association, said:

“This transition represents an important moment for the country and for the environmental sector. As the Labour Party considers its future leadership and policy direction, it is essential that environmental priorities—particularly around infrastructure, energy transition, and industrial decarbonisation—remain central to the government’s agenda.

The period leading to September provides a valuable window to strengthen policy frameworks and give industry the confidence it needs to invest and deliver. We look forward to working constructively with the incoming Prime Minister to ensure the UK maintains momentum on clean growth and sustainable infrastructure.”

Net Zero Needs Talent – So Why Is Government Pricing Graduates Out of Jobs?

Posted on 1 May 2026 by Michael Lunn

Britain is crying out for green skills – yet government policy is making it more expensive for employers to hire the very graduates needed to deliver net zero, growth and infrastructure renewal.

The Environmental Industries Association (EIA) today warns that rising employment taxes are actively locking graduates out of work at the exact moment the UK faces a deepening green skills shortage. While ministers talk up green jobs and economic growth, environmental services and clean technology businesses say higher Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are forcing them to pause recruitment, delay graduate intakes and rethink entry‑level roles.

Graduate unemployment rising – despite skills shortages

The unemployment rate for recent graduates has risen to around 6%, up from 5% the previous year, according to the latest Higher Education Statistics Agency and Department for Education data. This comes against a backdrop of an overall UK unemployment rate of 4.9%, indicating that graduates are finding it harder – not easier – to enter the jobs market.

This trend is particularly troubling for the environmental sector, which is facing a well‑documented and growing shortage of skilled workers. Industry analysis suggests the UK is short of around 200,000 people with green and environmental skills, a gap that threatens delivery of net‑zero targets and major infrastructure programmes.

The EIA identifies three key drivers behind rising graduate unemployment:

Rising cost of employment
From April 2025, the rate of Employer National Insurance Contributions rose from 13.8% to 15%, while the threshold at which employers begin paying NICs fell sharply from £9,100 to £5,000 per employee. Economic modelling suggests these changes could result in up to 55,000 fewer jobs nationally and a measurable increase in unemployment as firms absorb higher labour costs.
Recruitment freezes hitting SMEs hardest
Small and medium‑sized enterprises, which dominate the environmental services and clean technology sector, are particularly exposed. Surveys and labour‑market analysis show many businesses have responded to higher NICs by scaling back hiring plans, freezing graduate roles or shifting to short‑term contracts to limit employment costs.
A widening gap between skills demand and hiring capacity
While demand for green skills is accelerating, 63% of environmental professionals report a shortage of suitably skilled applicants, and financial constraints are cited as a major barrier to recruitment and training. In other words, the sector needs graduates – but is being priced out of employing them.

A policy contradiction at the heart of green growth

The warning comes despite strong evidence that green job demand is growing faster than the wider labour market. Green job adverts increased even as the overall jobs market contracted, highlighting a major missed opportunity to connect graduates with future‑facing employment.

Michael Lunn, CEO of the Environmental Industries Association, said:

“The UK is facing a clear policy contradiction. We have graduates looking for work, businesses desperate for skills, and a net‑zero agenda that depends on both – yet government policy is making it more expensive to bring them together. Rising Employer National Insurance Contributions are a direct deterrent to hiring graduates. If ministers are serious about growth, green jobs and long‑term productivity, they must reduce the cost of employment and stop pricing the next generation out of work.”

The EIA is calling on government to take urgent, targeted action:

Reduce or zero‑rate Employer NICs for graduate hires
Introduce time‑limited NICs relief for employers hiring graduates into environmental services and clean technology roles, directly lowering the cost barrier to entry‑level recruitment.
Launch a Green Graduate Employment Programme
Create a co‑funded programme to support paid graduate placements across waste, water, land based services, circular economy, climate adaptation and environmental technology businesses, sharing training costs between government and industry.
Align skills funding with real environmental sector demand
Refocus skills and innovation funding on employer‑led partnerships with universities and colleges, ensuring graduates leave with practical, job‑ready skills aligned to the fastest‑growing environmental roles.

George Eustice Urges Post‑Brexit Environmental Reset at EIA AGM

Posted on 28 April 202615 May 2026 by Michael Lunn

Former Environment Secretary argues UK must fully seize regulatory independence to deliver practical, science‑led environmental reform

Former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rt Hon George Eustice has delivered a robust call for regulatory reform, urging the UK to make fuller use of its post‑Brexit freedom to create environmental policy that is practical, evidence‑based and tailored to national needs.

Speaking as keynote speaker at the Environmental Industries Association (EIA) Annual General Meeting, Eustice reflected on his time in office and set out a detailed critique of what he described as the shortcomings of EU‑derived environmental legislation—alongside an ambitious vision for how the UK could do better.

Opening his address, Eustice acknowledged his long‑standing professional relationship with EIA Chief Executive Michael Lunn and former Environment Minister Rebecca Pow, highlighting their shared experience working within Defra and shaping environmental policy from the inside. He described the meeting as an opportunity to speak candidly about what had worked—and what had not—during a period of significant change in UK environmental governance.

A critique of EU environmental law

Eustice argued that much EU environmental legislation had become overly complex, litigation‑heavy and focused on “stretch targets” that were politically attractive but practically unachievable. In his view, this approach often produced ambiguous laws and slowed innovation, as regulators and industry became locked into procedural compliance rather than environmental outcomes.

“The system was not always designed to encourage creative policy‑making,” he suggested, pointing to examples where inflexible directives limited the UK’s ability to respond to local environmental challenges with proportionate solutions.

The Environment Act and a new UK framework

Central to his speech was the UK’s post‑Brexit approach to environmental protection, primarily established through the Environment Act. Eustice described the Act as an attempt to create an agile, science‑led framework—one that would allow policy to evolve over time through evidence, iteration and practical experience.

Rather than relying on composite targets, particularly in areas such as water quality, he said the UK had deliberately moved toward long‑term, achievable goals that could be measured transparently and delivered incrementally. This, he argued, represented a fundamental break from the EU model.

He also addressed the establishment of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), designed as an independent watchdog to hold government to account. While supporting its core purpose, Eustice expressed concern that in its early stages the OEP had focused too heavily on legacy EU targets that he regarded as unrealistic and misaligned with the UK’s new framework.

Reforms on waste, air, habitats and chemicals

Eustice went on to outline a series of policy reforms initiated during his time at Defra, many of which he felt had been misunderstood or only partially implemented.

On the circular economy, he highlighted the introduction of powers for Extended Producer Responsibility and Deposit Return Schemes, aimed at boosting recycling rates, improving consistency in waste collections and shifting responsibility upstream toward producers.

Addressing air quality, Eustice defended the decision not to adopt the World Health Organization’s stricter PM2.5 targets, citing concerns over achievability, transboundary pollution and the political reality of measures that would require radical changes in domestic behaviour. He emphasised the role of electric vehicle adoption as a more realistic driver of long‑term improvement.

On habitat regulations, he described existing rules as duplicative and, at times, counterproductive—particularly when they blocked developments that could result in net environmental gains. His proposed solution was a consolidated, UK‑specific legal framework to replace overlapping regimes.

He also reflected on stalled plans to reform chemicals and pesticides regulation, including efforts to accelerate approval processes for biological pesticides and redesign the UK’s version of REACH. These initiatives, he noted, had largely been paused by subsequent administrations.

Regulatory capacity and water quality

Eustice was particularly critical of the erosion of expertise within environmental arms‑length bodies. He described a paused proposal to break up the Environment Agency, create a standalone Floods Agency and merge remaining regulatory functions with Natural England into a single environmental regulator. Loss of specialist capability, he argued, was now contributing to chronic delays in decision‑making.

On water quality, he stressed that government had committed £83 billion to reduce harm from storm overflows well before the issue became a dominant political flashpoint, framing it as an example of long‑term planning overtaken by public controversy.

Q&A: frustration and cautious optimism

During the Q&A session, Eustice voiced frustration that the UK often continues to align with EU environmental demands rather than exercising its full regulatory independence. He also highlighted the persistent tension in building regulations between energy efficiency and health outcomes—particularly indoor air quality—which he felt remained under‑prioritised.

Despite his critiques, Eustice struck an optimistic tone on the future of Net Zero, predicting that progress would continue largely due to corporate leadership and energy security pressures, regardless of political rhetoric.

His address left delegates with a clear message: the opportunity for a more effective UK environmental framework exists—but only if policymakers are willing to fully embrace it.

For more information on the work of the EIA or to join our growing community email: Membership@EIAssociation.co.uk

EIA Welcomes DEFRA to Address the Water White Paper at Water Resources Working Group

Posted on 21 April 202621 April 2026 by Michael Lunn

The Environmental Industries Association (EIA) was pleased to welcome officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to a recent meeting of the EIA Water Resources Working Group, where members discussed the government’s Water White Paper, A New Vision for Water.

The session provided an opportunity for DEFRA to outline the objectives of the White Paper and its proposed reforms to water regulation, environmental protection, and long‑term water security. Discussions focused on the implications for water quality, pollution reduction, infrastructure investment, and the role of innovation and environmental technologies in supporting delivery.

EIA members welcomed the emphasis on improving environmental outcomes, strengthening accountability, and taking a more integrated, long‑term approach to water management. The discussion also highlighted the importance of effective implementation, clear regulatory signals, and close collaboration between government, regulators, industry, and the environmental services sector.

Reflecting on the meeting, Michael Lunn, CEO of the Environmental Industries Association, said:

“We are grateful to DEFRA for taking the time to engage directly with our Water Resources Working Group. Constructive dialogue of this kind is essential if the ambitions set out in the Water White Paper are to translate into real improvements in water quality, environmental protection, and system resilience. The environmental technologies and services sector stands ready to support delivery, provided the right policy and regulatory frameworks are in place.”

The meeting reinforced the value of early and ongoing engagement with industry as the Water White Paper proposals are developed further and brought forward through legislation and regulatory reform. EIA will continue to work with DEFRA and its members to provide practical insight and evidence on how policy can best support innovation, investment, and delivery across the water sector.

Biogas Technology: A Missed Opportunity for Climate Action in Developing Nations

Posted on 26 November 2025 by Michael Lunn

As the global community accelerates toward net-zero targets, one technology stands out for its ability to tackle two pressing challenges simultaneously: waste management and clean energy generation.

Ikechukwu Offie, discusses the importance of Anaerobic Digestion (AD), the process behind biogas production, has proven transformative in developed nations. Yet, as highlighted in a recent comprehensive review by Ikechukwu Offie and colleagues, its adoption in developing countries remains uneven and, in some cases, nonexistent.

Why Biogas Matters

Biogas technology converts organic waste into renewable energy while producing nutrient-rich digestate for agriculture. This dual benefit supports a circular economy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigates climate change impacts. In fact, replacing fossil fuels with biogas can cut emissions by up to 80%, while diverting waste from landfills prevents methane release—a major climate culprit.

The Global Picture

Between 2015 and 2023, Asia led the charge, with China producing a staggering 1,490 MW of biogas energy by 2023. Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia also made significant strides. Latin America followed, with Brazil emerging as a regional leader. However, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Eurasia lagged behind. Shockingly, countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Sri Lanka, and Palestine reported zero biogas energy generation during the study period.

What’s Holding Us Back?

The barriers are multifaceted:

Technical: Poor infrastructure, lack of skilled operators, and process instability.
Economic: High capital costs and inadequate R&D funding.
Policy: Outdated environmental regulations and weak enforcement.
Social: Low awareness and cultural stigmas around biogas use.
Environmental: Risks of leakage and odor issues if systems are poorly managed.

Opportunities for Change

The review recommends integrating AI and IoT technologies into AD systems to optimize performance and detect leaks. It also calls for:

Stronger policy frameworks and incentives.
Technical training for operators.
Partnerships with developed nations for knowledge transfer.
Incorporating AD concepts into engineering curricula.

Why EIA Members Should Care

For our industry, biogas represents a triple win—environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and social impact. As governments and businesses seek scalable solutions for climate resilience, AD technology offers a proven pathway. EIA members can lead by:

Advocating for supportive policies.
Investing in pilot projects.
Sharing best practices across borders.

Call to Action:
Is your organisation exploring biogas solutions? Share your experiences and insights with us. Together, we can turn waste into wealth and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.

Government’s EV Tax Plans Risk Undermining Air Quality Progress

Posted on 26 November 202526 November 2025 by Michael Lunn

The Environmental Industries Association (EIA) has issued its response to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, highlighting mixed signals for the UK’s environmental ambitions. While the government has pledged significant investment in infrastructure and housing, concerns remain over measures that could slow the transition to cleaner transport.

Electric Vehicles and Air Quality

The Chancellor confirmed a new Electric Vehicle Excise Duty, introducing a 3p-per-mile charge for battery electric cars and 1.5p for plug-in hybrids from April 2028, alongside existing Vehicle Excise Duty. Although intended to address falling fuel duty revenues and fund road maintenance, the Office for Budget Responsibility warns this could result in 440,000 fewer EV sales by 2030, undermining efforts to cut emissions and improve air quality. Environmental campaigners have called the move “premature,” stressing that incentives, not penalties, drive adoption of zero-emission vehicles.

Air pollution remains the UK’s largest environmental health risk, linked to 28,000–36,000 premature deaths annually and costing the NHS an estimated £1.6 billion between 2017 and 2025.

Jim Mills, Chair of EIA’s Air Quality Working Group, said:

“Introducing taxes on electric vehicles without a clear plan to reinvest in clean transport risks reversing decades of progress. Air pollution remains the UK’s most significant environmental threat to public health. Fiscal policy should accelerate—not obstruct—the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

The Environmental Industries Association believes this initiative will do little to address the air quality crisis. It requires urgent reconsideration. With the new vehicle excise duty and now a proposed per-mile charge, running many EVs could soon cost more than operating large diesel cars. That is counterproductive and makes no sense.

Water and Environmental Infrastructure

The Budget aligns with Ofwat’s recently approved £104 billion water infrastructure upgrade, aimed at reducing sewage spills by 50%, building new reservoirs, and improving river health. These measures will enhance resilience against climate change and support biodiversity, while creating thousands of skilled jobs.

Brownfield Remediation and Housing

Government plans to accelerate housing delivery include renewed support for brownfield-first development, backed by remediation funding programmes and tax relief consultations. Unlocking contaminated land for housing could deliver over 1.4 million homes, reducing pressure on greenfield sites and contributing to net-zero goals.

Infrastructure Investment

The Chancellor reaffirmed a £120 billion capital investment commitment for roads, rail, and energy, alongside planning reforms to fast-track nationally significant projects. These steps aim to stimulate growth and modernise the UK’s built environment, with a strong emphasis on decarbonisation and regional development.

Peter Atchison, Chairman of the Environmental Industries Association, said:

“Today’s Budget is a tale of two priorities. On one hand, we welcome the scale of investment in water infrastructure, brownfield regeneration, and housing – these are critical for sustainable growth and environmental protection. On the other, the introduction of a mileage-based tax on electric vehicles risks slowing the UK’s clean transport transition and jeopardising air quality improvements. Government must ensure that fiscal measures do not undermine climate commitments or public health. The EIA stands ready to work with policymakers to deliver joined-up solutions that balance revenue needs with environmental progress.”

Call for Action

The EIA will continue to engage with the government on these matters and continue to campaign to increase funding for green industries and technologies. “We urge the Chancellor to consider the long-term benefits of investing in our environment. Sustainable growth is not just an option; it is a necessity for our future,” Atchison concluded.

For further information, please contact: Environmental Industries Association news@EIAssociation.co.uk

Making Buildings Better, One Breath at a Time

Posted on 30 October 202530 October 2025 by Michael Lunn

EIA talks to Nathan Wood, MD to Farmwood about its work, and what its like to be Deputy Chair of the EIA Air Quality Working Group.

When people ask what Farmwood does, the easy answer is ventilation, air quality and mechanical and electrical services. But that’s just the surface. What we actually do is make buildings safer, healthier, and compliant for the people who live, work, and learn inside them.

Since 2002, we’ve worked across every sector and every kind of place, from a shed to The Shard. Domestic, commercial, or industrial, if it moves air or manages energy, we’ve been there. Our work spans everything from home ventilation systems to large scale HVAC plant and full M and E infrastructure.

We refurbish air handling units (AHUs), flat pack and rebuild them on site, keeping manufacturer warranties intact and giving systems a second life. We integrate smart technology and IoT controls to bring older plant into the modern age, improving performance, monitoring energy, and keeping systems running at their best.

When things go wrong, we problem solve. When systems fall behind, we upgrade. And when clients want long term assurance, our service and maintenance contracts make sure performance, safety and compliance never slip.

We’re proud to be service partners to almost all of the major UK ventilation and HVAC manufacturers. That trust has been built through years of competence, reliability, and delivering quality workmanship that protects their reputation as much as our own.

We invest heavily in our teams and technology, from digital reporting and commissioning tools to advanced diagnostic equipment that helps us find and fix the root cause, not just the symptoms.

And the team itself, they’re the heart of Farmwood. Every single person here understands our mission, to be the best of the best and to own it 100 percent every single day. They bring not just skill, but the right morals, the integrity, pride and commitment that make us who we are. Our competence isn’t claimed, it’s evidenced through SKEB, Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Behaviour, the foundation that keeps us compliant, capable, and consistent in everything we deliver.

Over the years, that commitment to doing things properly has earned us multiple national awards. From winning BESA’s National Contractor of the Year to receiving recognition for Health and Safety excellence and compliance leadership, we’ve consistently set the benchmark for professional standards. Our work in indoor air quality has also been recognised with several industry awards, celebrating both our innovative initiatives and the products we’ve helped bring to life.

We’re also active beyond the job site. We support initiatives such as GO AQS (Global Open Air Quality Standards) and the UK Centre for Mould Safety, because cleaner, safer air starts with awareness, education, and action.

We’re members of Future Homes groups, involved in regulation reform, and lobbying for stronger skills pathways and apprenticeships to secure the next generation of engineers. Competence must be built, not assumed, and we’re helping shape how that’s done.

Farmwood is part of several leading associations across the built environment, more recently joining the Environmental Industries Association (EIA). These collaborations keep us at the table when it matters most, influencing standards, improving guidance, and ensuring real world experience feeds into national policy.

We also work closely with All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) and give our time freely through advocacy and expert support to many brilliant people and charities who share our mission to make homes healthier, safer, and fit for future generations. This is the part of the work that matters most. Not because it wins contracts, but because it changes lives.

Alongside this, we proudly lead World Ventil8 Day (WV8D), which has grown into a global movement promoting the importance of good ventilation for health and wellbeing. What started as an idea led by a small UK SME now reaches across continents, with support from universities, professional bodies, and experts around the world. For a company of our size, being recognised globally for leadership in indoor air quality and awareness shows just how far purpose and passion can reach.

That commitment to wider impact is also why I took on the role of Deputy Chairman of the EIA’s Indoor Air Quality Working Group. It’s not a title, it’s a responsibility. The EIA brings together people who understand that clean air is not a luxury, it’s essential to public health, safety, and sustainability. My aim is to make sure practical, competent voices like ours are heard. To push for joined up thinking between government, regulators, and industry. And to show that SMEs can lead when it comes to integrity and innovation.

We’re always open to collaboration with policymakers, health professionals, and other industry leaders because improving indoor air quality isn’t just about buildings, it’s about people. Every improvement we make to a home, school or hospital reduces preventable illness, supports wellbeing, and ultimately helps ease the strain on the NHS. The societal impact of healthy buildings is real, and it’s time that became part of the national conversation.

We can’t reach net zero or improve health outcomes without tackling the air inside our walls. It’s that simple. And at Farmwood, we’re proving that competence, compliance, and care can coexist, and that when they do, everyone breathes easier.

“Because good ventilation isn’t just good engineering. It’s good humanity”

For more information visit: Home – Farmwood – Ventilation Systems Servicing and Support