Forever Chemicals

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.Join our mailing list to head first about the latest episodesThanks 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 

Main interview guest: Natalie Bennett - Green Party Peer, Baroness Bennett of Manor CastleExpert co-host: Michael Mattle - Head of Wastewater Technology at Holinger We're exploring how biocides – human-made chemicals that we find in products like surface cleaners and toothpastes – are impacting the microbiomes in our bodies and our environmental systems. In 2025 Green Party Peer, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, Natalie Bennett, brought a private members bill to Westminster to regulate the use of these chemicals in consumer products intended for human consumption.  We hear what Biocides are, where we'll find them and why Natalie is pushing for a legislative change to regulate their use. Co-host Michael Mattle, Head of Wastewater Technology at Hollinger reflects on what happens to these chemicals after use when they're released into the environment and explains how Switzerland has radically changed their approach to wastewater treatment, pushing beyond EU standards, to remove these types of chemicals.SponsorsPlanet Possible is grateful to Mackley, Business Modelling Applications & MWH Treatment for their support.Show NotesYou can read more about Natalie's thinking in her latest book - Change Everything.Hear more on the specifics of Lake Geneva from Michael Mattle in this Guardian podcast. Join our mailing listTo be first to hear about the latest episodes click here to join our mailing list.   Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

In today's episode we’re focusing on water that’s used by businesses, which makes up 30% of all the water that’s supplied in England. Join Sarah McMath, CEO of MOSl as we explore the challenges of needing to deliver an extra 5 billion litres of water each day into supply by 2050 and the opportunities - and challenges - presented by commercial water demand.We explore...Smart metering for business customers and the current lack of data to understand how much water they're using - and when.News that Amazon, Microsoft and Google are planning to build hundreds of data centres across the globe, including in areas of water scarcity.The opportunities to bring more diverse voices into the water sector to help tackle some of the challenges it faces over the next 10 years.Planet 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 

25% of all the water that comes into our homes is flushed down the toilet. By 2050, we’re going to need an extra 5 billion litres of water a day - almost a third more - available in 25 years.This increased need for water is driven by a growing population, new homes and a water hungry economy and there's an opportunity to reduce our demand for the highest quality drinking water by using an alternative for things like flushing the toilet and watering the garden. So in todays episode we explore whether harvesting rainwater and using it in our homes could be part of the solution to closing the 5 billion litre shortfall.  You'll hear from George Warren, from Anglian Water, who's driving the 'Enabling Water Smart Communities' project to see how rainwater and water reuse in new housing developments can be scaled up.  Niki's co-host is Tom Chance, the CEO of the Community Land Trust Network,  representing community-led affordable housing projects - who shares the wider landscape around building new homes - and how rainwater harvesting could be included.SponsorsPlanet Possible is grateful to Mackley, Business Modelling Applications & MWH Treatment for their support. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Welcome to our March MiniPod - a monthly update where we're joined by an expert guest & we react to current events in water, climate and nature - all in about 15 minutes.In this episode we're joined by Dave Slater, Regional Director for Natural England for the South West of England, and we explore...Whether beavers are a force for good after the news that the UK Government has announced its commitment to reintroducing beavers into the wild. The creation of the Western Forest – the first new national forest in 30 years.How  we ensure nature has an enduring impact and changes – like the ones above – aren’t forced on people.Planet Possible is grateful to Atkins Réalis for supporting the podcast.Want to find out more about the topics in the show? Click the links below...https://connectingtheculm.com/https://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/our-conservation-work/on-land/penwith-landscape-partnershiphttps://www.wenp.org.uk/priority-programmes/western-foresthttps://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2025/02/28/beaver-wild-release-a-milestone-for-nature-recovery-in-england/https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2024/06/PWS-statsnotice-20jun24-FINAL.pdf  Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

A circular economy is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. The UK government wants to transition the UK to a circular economy and in  2024 established a circular economy taskforce to consider the policy pathways, interventions and targets make this happen. We explore the circular economy in the UK and internationally and dig into a range of examples from both community action and the water sector. Our main interview is with Rick Lancaster, Global Bioresrouces Director for Atkins Réalis and to help us navigate this topic our Co-Host is Sue Jefferson, Co-founder of Circular Malton and Norton. with a mission to create the first circular economy market town in the UK to see the multiple circular benefits realised and be a showcase for replicating this across the country.Planet Possible is supported by Atkins RéalisFind out more about Circular Malton & Norton here: http://www.circularmaltonnorton.orgChapters and Timings0:01:36 In today's show0:03:14 Circular econ in water sector 0:04:50 UK lagging behind? 0:06:40 What is recoverable? 0:10:27 What else can we recover? 0:16:54 Grit and heat and cellulose 0:17:50 Sustainable Aviation Fuel 0:21:07 Advert 1 0:21:36 What are enablers to do more? 0:26:02 What else needs to happen? 0:29:55 Rick's magic wand 0:30:35 Sue's initial reaction 0:31:11 Sue's circular economy market town project 0:32:14 What are they actually doing? 0:33:29 Food collection and digester 0:34:55 What has reaction been? 0:36:34 How keep community engaged long term? 0:38:44 Where does the value sit? 0:41:02 Sue's magic wand 0:42:22 Thank you Sue0:42:34 Outro   Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland