Environment Matters podcast

Burges Salmon

Listen to Environment Matters, where our leading environmental law solicitors are joined by experts from across Burges Salmon and special guests to discuss a wide range of topical environmental issues, including greenwashing, nature-based solutions and Variable Monetary Penalties for environmental offences.

  1. Jul 16

    Environment Matters - Natural Capital: where are we now? In conversation with Oxygen Conservation - S3E4

    Natural capital is moving rapidly up the agenda for businesses, investors and policymakers – but where are we now, and what does good look like in practice? In this episode of Environment Matters hosted by Michael Barlow, Sarah Sackville Hamilton and Gabi Gershuny, from the Environment team, are joined by special guests, George Pawley (General Counsel and Company Secretary) and Chris Winter (Director of Natural Capital) at Oxygen Conservation. The panel takes a deep dive into Burges Salmon's long-term carbon partnership with Oxygen Conservation, exploring how the partnership supports the protection and restoration of temperate Atlantic rainforest habitat and wider environmental and social benefits at the Leighon Estate in Dartmoor, Devon. The discussion touches on what makes a premium quality carbon credit, the challenges of structuring innovative natural capital agreements, and the lessons learned from building a first-of-its-kind partnership in the UK voluntary carbon market. Looking beyond the carbon partnership, the conversation also examines the wider natural capital landscape in the UK, highlighting legal and policy developments affecting nature-based projects across the country and considering what action is needed to unlock greater private investment into nature recovery. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and overview of the partnership01:43 Oxygen Conservation's mission and growth in the natural capital sector07:09 The objectives behind the Burges Salmon x Oxygen Conservation partnership09:41 What makes a premium-quality carbon credit?14:31 Progress at the Leighon Estate and early impacts on the ground20:19 Lessons learned from developing an innovative natural capital partnership27:44 Tackling key legal and commercial challenges in carbon projects32:35 The future of natural capital markets in the UK41:12 What's next for Oxygen Conservation and the European market?

    Environment Matters - Natural Capital: where are we now? In conversation with Oxygen Conservation - S3E4

  2. Apr 30

    Environment Matters - Destination: Unknown? What the PFAS Plan could mean for PFAS regulation in the UK - S3E3

    PFAS continues to be a recurring issue for regulators and businesses alike. In this episode of Environment Matters, Michael Barlow is joined by Simon Tilling and Helena Sewell from Burges Salmon’s Environment team to unpack the UK’s evolving position. The discussion reflects on the Government’s PFAS Plan (published in February) and the Environmental Audit Committee’s recent report into PFAS. The team explore practical challenges for regulation and clean-up, including concerns about a “whack-a-mole” approach, questions around “essential use”, and what mechanisms could realistically support remediation of PFAS-contaminated sites in the UK.

    Environment Matters - Destination: Unknown? What the PFAS Plan could mean for PFAS regulation in the UK - S3E3

  3. Mar 31

    Environment Matters - Choppy Waters: navigating the Government’s reform of the English water sector - S3E2

    In episode 2 of series 3 of the Environment Matters podcast, Michael Barlow is joined by Simon Tilling and Pippy Shepherd to unpack the Government’s proposed reform of the English water sector.  The discussion focuses on DEFRA’s Water Sector Reform White Paper, exploring what the proposed regulatory reset means in practice for water companies, regulators, investors and customers. The episode examines the creation of a new integrated water regulator, the move towards more outcomes‑focused regulation, changes to monitoring and enforcement, and the challenges of rebuilding public trust while maintaining investor confidence.

    Environment Matters - Choppy Waters: navigating the Government’s reform of the English water sector - S3E2

  4. Feb 26

    Environment Matters - Regulatory & Governance: balancing economic growth with environmental protection - S3 E1

    Join Michael Barlow, Sarah Sackville Hamilton and Simon Tilling as they discuss issues of regulation and governance with a focus on what the Corry Review means for DEFRA.

    Environment Matters - Regulatory & Governance: balancing economic growth with environmental protection - S3 E1

  5. 07/10/2025

    The path forward for transition plans

    In this episode, Michael Barlow and Gabi Gershuny are joined by David Desforges, Counsel for independent Paris-based law firm Almain Avocats to explore the evolving regulatory transition plan requirements both in the UK and EU.We will delve into the complexities for companies, especially multinationals, as they navigate divergence between different jurisdictions and uncertainty in a shifting landscape.

    The path forward for transition plans

  6. 04/09/2025

    Environmental Impact and Regulation of PFAS

    In this episode Michael Barlow, Victoria Barnes, and Helena Sewell explore the environmental impact and regulation of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals." They discuss the persistence of PFAS in the environment, their widespread use in various products, and the fragmented regulatory landscape in the UK. They also cover the implications for water quality, land contamination, and potential legal challenges related to PFAS.

    Environmental Impact and Regulation of PFAS

  7. 01/30/2025

    Looking ahead to 2025

    Welcome to this special episode of our Environment Matters podcast, hosted by the Environment team at Burges Salmon. In this episode, Michael Barlow, head of the Environment team, is joined by Victoria Barnes, and Helena Sewell, to discuss and their predictions for developments in environmental law in 2025. Key topics of discussion include changes to water sector regulation, circular economy developments, climate change liability and greenwashing.

    Looking ahead to 2025

  8. 04/17/2024

    The future of waste

    Michael Barlow, Victoria Barnes and Greg Fearn conclude the first series of our Environment Matters podcast with a discussion on the future of waste and the move towards a circular economy.In this 20-minute episode, the team explain the importance of developing a circular economy, the expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UKETS), the upcoming sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate and other regulatory and enforcement changes in the waste sector.

    The future of waste
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Listen to Environment Matters, where our leading environmental law solicitors are joined by experts from across Burges Salmon and special guests to discuss a wide range of topical environmental issues, including greenwashing, nature-based solutions and Variable Monetary Penalties for environmental offences.

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