August MiniPod with Hannah Burgess (Flood Funding, Global Plastics Treaty, Updated UK Sustainable Drainage Standards)

This episode explores Niki's visit to Havant Thicket, the first new reservoir to be built in the UK, in 30 years.Niki spoke to Terry Fuller from Future Water, Robert Taylor CEO of Portsmouth Water and other key members of the delivery team about this ambitious project.The site is owned by Portsmouth Water, who will store and supply Southern Water, as part of a water cooperative.Once complete, the site will hold 9 billion litres of water and will serve 160,000 customers. It’s also the first of ten further reservoirs that are planned to be built across the country, in the next 20 years.The project balances the difficult trade-offs, such as loss of ancient woodland, against major rewilding, habitat restoration, and reduced pressure on water supply.As a sustainability lead project and with a collaboration focus between water companies and environmental groups, the huge build plans to leave a strong legacy of education, recruitment, training, and a new recreational space for the local community.  Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

In this month's MiniPod, we're joined by CIWEM President Hannah Burgess and we discuss...1. The consultation on how flood funding is awarded and how that opens the door to more voluntary groups, and environmental NGOs, directly accessing funding.2. The news that a global plastics treaty is being debated, alongside some ideas for individual actions.3. We also consider the updated national sustainable drainage standards which should drive more consistency in what's delivered. Useful LinksJoin our mailing list to be the first to hear about new episodes - http://eepurl.com/i7VmiA Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Have we reached an important positive tipping point where more people than ever of power and influence want to talk about - and take action on - the challenges facing our planet in climate, nature and water?It certainly seems to us - making this podcast - that more people want to talk about environmental issues, and we want to play our part by amplifying planet positive messages both from people of real influence... and people making real progress.In this episode we bring you a collection of interviews. First up, two new conversations, recorded at Northumbrian Water's Innovation Festival in Newcastle, with George Clarke (architect and TV presenter on Channel 4) and Simon Reeve (TV adventurer and author).Plus, we revisit some of our most powerful conversations from the last 12 months, including...Chris Packham talking about biodiversity and his call-to-action for all individuals wanting to help the planetDr Roz Savage MP explains how her own passion for nature led her to lead the Climate & Nature BillSue Jefferson from Circular Molton and Norton talks about how she is making huge progress on making the circular economy a reality at a local scale. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

We're joined by Adam Bedford - Collaborative Projects Director at FERA Science, in this month’s MiniPod and we discuss...1. The news that more than 80% of famers are worried about the climate crisis harming their livelihood.2. A group of British, Ukrainian and Dutch engineers trying to rebuild Ukraine as efficiently and sustainably as possible, by recycling the rubble from bombed buildings to make new concrete.3. We also consider the impact of the recent final report, from the Independent Water Commission, on our farming communities and agriculture.Useful LinksRead The Guardian’s article on UK farmers, and their worries about the climate crisis https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/02/farmers-climate-crisis-livelihood-extreme-weather-studyThe Times article on the smart way to rebuild Ukraine can be read https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/smart-way-rebuild-recycle-rubble-mbbhgdl32Find the Independent Water Commission review of the water sector https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-water-commission-review-of-the-water-sectorJoin our mailing list to be the first to hear about new episodes - http://eepurl.com/i7VmiA Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

The Cunliffe Review has just been published and proposes massive change to the UK water sector.  What are the headlines? Are the recommendations right? Do they go far enough? What are the implications for the water companies, campaigners, the general public... and the bigger picture of climate, nature and the environment as a whole?CIWEM's Director of Policy Al Chisholm and host Niki Roach give their expert analysis. Read the summary report hereRead the full report herePlanet Possible is supported by BMA, Mackley and MWH Treatment. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Nature is in decline across the UK. 2023 data shows the abundance of terrestrial and freshwater species has on average fallen by 19% across the UK since 1970. Yet working with nature may be part of the answer to reversing this decline.  As the Environment Agency release a new position statement on nature-based solutions, we’re joined by their Director of Water, Helen Wakeham and the CEO of the Rivers Trust, Mark Lloyd.Hear Helen and Mark discuss the rationale behind sharing their position on these types of solutions and what role they have to play in the environment we want to nurture.  We explore whether they can be seen as greenwash and if the wider value of these solutions is really accounted for by our current regulations.  And we discuss the challenge of insufficient performance data making it difficult to confidently allow wider scale adoption.  There are seeds of positivity as we consider how taking a catchment-view could enable some bold decisions that leave a positive legacy for our environment.As ever, find out what Helen and Mark both want to make possible with the Planet Possible Magic Wand.Read the new position statement on Nature-based Solutions. (Launched 17th July '25)Join our mailing list to head first about the latest episodes.Thanks to our sponsors BMA, Mackley and MWH Treatment for supporting Planet Possible. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

We're joined by The Guardian newspaper Biodiversity Reporter, Phoebe Weston in this months MiniPod and we discuss...The news that water contamination by forever chemicals from an airport in eastern France has resulted in 3000 vulnerable residents unable to drink their tap water.A groundbreaking tree-planting programme that is uniting farmers and rewilders in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.UK data shows 60% of adults think climate and the environment are important issues – we’ll explore the role of the media in portraying these topics responsibly.Useful LinksRead Phoebe's article on ghost woodlands and rewilding hereRead the Office of National Statistics – public and business attitudes to environment and climate change 2024 survey hereJoin our mailing list to be the first to hear about new episodes - click here to sign up Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

For many in the environment sector the name Tony Juniper is synonymous with the defence of nature. He has led major organisations, run global campaigns and advised at the highest levels, including co-authoring  ‘Harmony’ with His Majesty King Charles II. He was recently re-appointed as the Chair of Natural England and is a Fellow of the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership. In our June episode we explore how we achieve the pace and scale of change that is needed to create a system that meets the needs of people thriving on a living planet - and what still gives Tony hope.Find out more about Just Earth, Tony's latest book hereSubscribe to email alerts to hear first about the latest Planet Possible episodes. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Niki is joined by Lee Pitcher, MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme and Chair of the APPG on Water. Prior to being an MP has spent his career building partnerships across the water sector and this episode we’re talking about…The threat of drought across the UK this summer as April temperatures were the 3rd warmest since records began.The Water Safety Bill – as a new MP this is Lee’s first Bill to pass through parliament, we hear why it's so important and why it's not already part of legislation.The Climate Change Committee progress report that states the UK is not prepared for the impact of climate change.Planet Possible is support by BMA, Mackley and MWH Treatment.Join the Planet Possible mailing list and be the first to hear about new episodes... Join HereShow NotesWater Safety BillClimate Change Committee report Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Jeannette Henderson, co-lead for Innovation at Ofwat shares some of the winners of the latest round of funding from the 5th Water Breakthrough Challenge.Hear some of the projects that are embracing drones, robotics and AI as Ofwat share £42m across 16 projects aiming to radically innovate within the water sector in England and Wales.Jeanette shares how Ofwat are working with other regulators to also drive  innovation in the way they regulate.Finally find out what the future holds for the Innovation Fund, aiming to share £600m across by 2030.Find out more about the 16 winning projects here: waterinnovation.challenges.org Planet Possible is sponsored by BMA, Macklay and MWH Treatment Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland