Environmental Law, Policy and Practice - Update 2026
Overview:
Now in its 19th year, this event is a must for professionals concerned about environmental legal compliance and covers all the key changes over the last 12 months and upcoming planned changes. The one-day programme addresses the key elements of recent and emerging legislation so that you can stay ahead in protecting your organisation.
The programme provides invaluable updates in environmental law and policy for organisations, critical to helping ensure legal compliance. An essential day for those who are either directly involved in delivering an organisation’s environmental responsibilities, or those who simply have an interest in keeping up to date with environmental law and policy.
We will discuss…
Energy
We will discuss the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for imported products and how it will face a carbon cost similar to UK manufacturers. How minimum energy efficiency standards will apply to rented commercial properties.
Planning, Infrastructure and Development
We will discuss the replacement of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) with a new Environmental Outcomes Reports (EOR) system to simplify planning and speed up infrastructure delivery. We will also discuss the changes to building regulation ensuring new homes are zero carbon ready.
REACH
We will take a look at the latest requirements for hazardous chemicals and substances.
Sustainability
We will consider the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards and how the adoption of endorsed UK S1 and S2 standards are expected to become mandatory for in scope large companies and how businesses may have to complete deforestation due diligence within their supply chain.
Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity requirements continue expanding to include wider implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain and increasing emphasis on habitat restoration and nature recovery as planning policy evolves.
And finally:
We will look at the latest on how are we getting on with simpler recycling strategy and the upcoming deposit return scheme and enhanced permitting regime for waste transport.
Who Should Attend?
All those with responsibility for ensuring environmental legal compliance within their business and those who are seeking to improve their understanding of current or emerging environmental law and best practice. Management System Representatives and any Manager with environmental responsibilities will find this to be an invaluable one-day update.
What you'll learn:
On completion of the course, attendees will:
Testimonials
Great day, well worth it!
- Safestyle UK
Very good presentation
- 4 Rail
Excellent course, very informative
- EDF Energy
Really interesting, great course
- Idom Merebrook Ltd
Very useful, many thanks
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
Very enjoyable and informative course
- Collins Construction
Really excellent course, most informative and well presented. One of the highlight training events to attend
- MOD
Speaker is excellent, very knowledgeable, sensitive to attendee’s needs
- Tearfund
Excellent course delivered at the right pace and fully comprehensive. The course was extremely worthwhile
- MOD
Excellent presenter
- Rockline Industries UK
Very well presented and content was relevant and to the point
- Signature Flight
Enjoyable & informative day, Thanks
- Breedon Group
Great delivery approach and response to questions raised, thank you
- ISSUK
A very interesting and informative day, excellent presenter, and good to meet a diverse range of other attendees
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Good content. Good discussions amongst the delegates and very beneficial
- PERKINS ENGINES
Lots of useful information provided and opportunity for questions to be raised
- Brother UK
Group work sessions ideal and a good opportunity to engage across the sector
- SRUC
Great day, well worth it!
- Safestyle UK
Very good presentation
- 4 Rail
Excellent course, very informative
- EDF Energy
Really interesting, great course
- Idom Merebrook Ltd
Very useful, many thanks
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
Very enjoyable and informative course
- Collins Construction
Really excellent course, most informative and well presented. One of the highlight training events to attend
- MOD
Speaker is excellent, very knowledgeable, sensitive to attendee’s needs
- Tearfund
Excellent course delivered at the right pace and fully comprehensive. The course was extremely worthwhile
- MOD
Excellent presenter
- Rockline Industries UK
Very well presented and content was relevant and to the point
- Signature Flight
Enjoyable & informative day, Thanks
- Breedon Group
Great delivery approach and response to questions raised, thank you
- ISSUK
A very interesting and informative day, excellent presenter, and good to meet a diverse range of other attendees
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Good content. Good discussions amongst the delegates and very beneficial
- PERKINS ENGINES
Lots of useful information provided and opportunity for questions to be raised
- Brother UK
Group work sessions ideal and a good opportunity to engage across the sector
- SRUC
Course Programme:
2026 Programme
09:30 – 09:50: Welcome and Introduction
09:50 – 10:45 UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
Imports of carbon-intensive products preventing "carbon leakage" (companies moving production to countries with weaker climate rules) and encourage cleaner manufacturing globally.
10:45 – 11:00 Break
11:00 – 11:50 Planning and environmental assessment reforms
Plans to replace the current Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) with a new Environmental Outcomes Reports (EOR) system Building regulation amendments to be zero carbon ready
11:50 – 12:00 Break
12:00 – 12:30 REACH
Several UK REACH registration deadlines continue Chemical classification reforms could change how the UK recognises overseas chemical hazard classifications
12:30 – 13:15 Lunch
13:15 – 14:15 Biodiversity and environmental improvement
Biodiversity Net Gain, preparation for Environmental Outcomes Reports, planning policy for habitat restoration
14:15 – 14:30 Break
14:30 – 15:15 Net zero and sustainability
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for non-domestic rented buildings Deforestation due diligence on supply chain ensuring compliance with local production laws UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS) S1 and S2 standards expected to become mandatory for in scope large companies.
15:15 – 15:25 Break
15:25 – 15:55 Waste, Packaging & Recycling
SEPA:
Waste carrier permit system requiring background and competency checks Desposit Return Scheme (DRS) Duty to separate rule expansion
15:55 – 16:05 Questions
16:05 -16.10: Programme Close
