Spring/Summer 2025 Policy Update

Chartered Environmentalists voicing their expertise

World Environment Day Panel on Ending Plastic Pollution

At this year’s SocEnv World Environment Day and Awards event, we held a panel discussion on ending plastic pollution, particularly on the role of international policy in agreeing solutions, including the UN Global Plastics Treaty. Key points emphasised were the importance of the treaty to both human and planetary health, and how it can be adjusted to assure circular economy principles are embedded throughout. Panellists discussed the debate around financing of the treaty and emphasised that it must include bans on the most harmful plastics, alongside ecosystem-based safeguards.

Read a full recap of the panel discussion below. Since the event we have continued to monitor the progression of the treaty negotiations. Following the collapse of the latest round of negotiations earlier this month, it’s not yet known when negotiations might resume, but we remain hopeful of a breakthrough that addresses the urgent issue of plastic pollution. Access a summary of the recent treaty negotiations here.

Pictured below: photos from our World Environment Day and Awards event, June 2025. 

 Consultation responses from the Soils and Stones project

Our Soils and Stones Project is an influential initiative that brings together experts from across sectors to share their knowledge, experience, and solutions to safeguarding soils and soil related material.

In recent months, project volunteers have shaped responses to two important consultations.

Firstly, in our response to the voluntary carbon and nature markets (VCNM) consultation, we welcomed the Government’s six Principles for VCNM but were disappointed by the lack of focus on soils.

Secondly, in responding to the Landfill tax consultation we argued that continuing with the current proposals without appropriate regulatory reform risks significant unintended consequences. We also had concerns that there was no evidence of an impact assessment having been conducted.

View both our responses via the link below.

Collaborative activity

EPF Land Use Consultation Response

In April, we led a response to the Land use consultation on behalf of the Environmental Policy Forum (EPF). This response was backed by 10 professional bodies and learned societies representing professionals working across disciplines.

In our response, we noted our support for the introduction of a Land Use framework but argued that a more coherent approach is needed that recognises the integrated nature of natural assets. We also made the case for ongoing dialogue and engagement between Government and stakeholders.

Read our response via the link below.

 EPF welcomes new member – The Chartered Institute of Building

We are delighted to have welcomed the Chartered Institute of Building to the Environmental Policy Forum – a professional body deeply committed to promoting sustainability in construction practice. CIOB’s membership also means that the forum now encompasses  a total of 15 professional bodies and learned societies, with a collective membership of over 160,000 qualified professionals, all working together to make the case for our ten environmental priorities for policymakers.

Find out more about the CIOB – and EPF’s wider membership – via the link below.

Pictured above: photos from the Environmental Policy Forum meeting with Lauren Edwards MP during Net Zero Week in Parliament, July 2025. 

EPF event in Parliament for Net Zero Week

During Net Zero Week in Parliament we, alongside other members of the EPF, had the pleasure of meeting with Lauren Edwards MP. It was great to discuss with Lauren, who is Co-Chair of the Skills All-Party Parliamentary Group, the essential role green jobs and skills play in achieving net zero.

We were able to present to Lauren a series of case studies demonstrating solutions to green skills challenges. There was also discussion of our specific requests for policymakers, such as embedding green skills throughout the national curriculum, establishing a green skills focused, cross-government body, and the creation of a Green Skills Fund.

Read the full event recap via the link below.