Autumn 2025 SocEnv Policy Recap

Chartered Environmentalists voicing their expertise

Consultation responses from the Soils and Stones project

Our response to the Landfill Tax consultation earlier this year contributed to a change in plans from the Government – with the announcement that reforms, including plans to converge the two rates of landfill tax, would not be taken forward. An excellent analysis of the decision and its implications can be accessed here, by SLR Consulting Technical Director and Soils and Stones project volunteer, Chris Berryman CEnv.

In October, we submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Research Strategy 2027-32. In our response, we highlighted priorities central to SocEnv’s vision, including a commitment to evidence-based policy, underpinned by consultation with experts and good quality data; and taking a holistic approach to solving our interconnected social, economic and environmental challenges – with recognition for the vital role of soils and international policy alignment and co-operation being paramount.

These responses were developed by the SocEnv Soils and Stones project, which consists of a group of interdisciplinary practitioners with proven expertise. Find out more about the project via the link below.

COP30

Accredited as an ‘observer organisation’ by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, we had a fully virtual delegation for COP30, accessing meetings and events and following developments as they happened. We published an article featuring all the insights provided by our delegates, including the links between policy and practice, with snippets of the insights originally posted on our LinkedIn account. Themes covered include sustainable finance, knowledge sharing, systems transformation, green skills, adaptation, sustainable agriculture and the opportunities of the green transition.

View all the delegate insights via the link below.

Collaborative activity

Following the Cabinet reshuffle in September, the Environmental Policy Forum (EPF) wrote to the newly appointed Secretaries of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; and Housing, Communities and Local Government, Emma Reynolds MP and Steve Reed MP, respectively. In the letters, we outline our ten environmental priorities for policymakers, and how delivery can unlock the economic potential of the green transition. SocEnv coordinated the development of these letters on behalf of the EPF, as well as being one of 14 organisations signing up in support. The open letters are available to view here.

SocEnv is part of the Pledge to Net Zero (PtNZ) steering group which hosted a webinar exploring the key outcomes from COP30 and the impact on climate policy. If you missed it, the free recording is available via the Pledge to Net Zero website.

You can find out more about the EPF and PtNZ via the links below.

SocEnv reaction to Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan

Following the Government’s publication of the UK Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan – which outlined details on how the country will deliver emissions reductions up to 2037 – we issued a public response. In particular, we emphasised the need for those with proven competence to lead the way in delivering on the huge opportunities of the green transition.

View our reaction via the link below.