Shaping the future of waste and resources sector in the UK - asks for the government
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The recent election of a Labour government to the UK Parliament after a 14-year absence is not news. This was expected by many organisations and political commentators for months prior to the election, but it does leave us with a number of questions that need addressing, particularly for organisations from the waste, resources, and energy sectors.
The future of the waste and resources sector in the UK hinges on strategic government leadership, appropriate policy evolution, and a regulatory framework that is enabling but which also addresses our historical problem of waste crime. As the industry continues to navigate the expected increased concerns around environmental challenges, planned policy and regulatory reforms, it is essential that as a sector we understand, communicate and advocate where the new government can help facilitate rapid transition, and how our sector can help them deliver on their priorities in both the short and medium term including meeting net zero targets, delivering increased social value and maximising the jobs generated.
At a recent conference we asked 50 local authorities to list down their top three asks for the new government in terms of our sector and the way forward to a low carbon, resource efficient and more circular economy, and their top three asks were:
- Clarity and simplicity in policy: Clear timelines and targets are crucial for effective decision-making and execution over the next five years by local authorities and their service providers (EPR, DRS and Simpler Recycling).
- Effective funding: Funding is essential for implementing any new policies and for updating or replacing existing infrastructure to handle the upcoming policy demands in terms of new materials being captured at the kerbside or sorted at the MRF etc.
- A national campaign and communications to drive behaviour change: It is vitally important that a consistent national campaign around effective recycling participation, building understanding of better consumption and busting myths about the sector will be essential to boost behaviour change.
Are these priorities the same as yours?
Join us for an insightful webinar as we debate the top three asks of the government from the waste and resources sector. Chaired by Dr Adam Read MBE, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, we will ensure that our panel of experts not only share their asks of government in the first three months and 12 months, but that your questions are addressed live on air.
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Speakers
- Dr Adam Read MBE, Chief Sustainability and External Affairs Officer, SUEZ [Chair]
- Katie Cockburn, Senior Director of Policy Media and Education, CIWM
- Ben Goodwin, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, IEMA
- Kate Jennings, Chief Executive, ACE and EIC
- Dr Nina Skorupska, Ex-CEO, REA
- Watch the recording
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Associated events