6. Innovation

Our last Minipod of 2025 welcomes John Curtin, the president of CIWEM. John joins Niki Roach in this 15 minute episode, to discuss the following 3 current stories in Water, Climate and Nature:Infrastructure Risks - How should we approach building new infrastructure in a world shaped by climate change, and shifting environmental issues and politics? And how do we move beyond short-term fixes and improve our acceptance of the need to build for 2050 and beyond?A piece of research, supported by the natural science foundation of China, shows a new technique that could let us generate electricity from water in an entirely new way. With the potential to scale, and real promise for countries with large water masses, such as the UK.John Curtin explains the new CIWEM presidential theme of “Green Roots, Growing Prosperity” policy and why protecting the environment, and growing the economy, don’t have to be opposing forces despite how they’re often framed in politics and the media.  Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

In this month’s Planet Possible, we’re going beyond the specifics of COP30 and reflect on the shifting geo politics of climate leadership, and what it could mean for our future generations.Niki Roach is joined by two experts in this field - Dr Clare Richardson-Barlow, a Political Economist with a focus on the Asia specific region, and Professor of International Politics at the University of Leeds - Richard Beardsworth.Together, they discuss:COP30 - The climate change conference that has just taken place in Brazil,  why it matters so much and the context in which it’s happening, as emissions continue to rise.  How are the road maps going to be implemented, and where are the delivery on targets that have been set for the countries in attendance?China - The world’s largest emitter and how its leadership responds to those emissions. The country is also the largest investor in renewables, and the largest manufacturer of clean technology.The challenges around a just transition here in the UK, from fossil fuels, and the political recognition required regarding how difficult it will be to move towards a greener future. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

In this MiniPod episode, Niki is joined by freelance environmental journalist Jo Caird, whose portfolio includes Editor of The Environment Magazine - a CIWEM publication.They discuss:1) Using geoengineering to repair the climate, and how the technology has the potential to adjust global temperatures. The process of solar radiation modification could see injecting aerosol compounds and potential refreezing of the arctic.2) The unprecedented drought impacting Tehran, Iran, where the main source of drinking water for residents is at risk of running dry within a matter of weeks. 9 million people may need to be evacuated from the city.3) The Tropical Forests Forever Facility - The facility’s mission is to protect tropical forests for indigenous peoples and future generations. It will create long-term financial stability for countries that commit to lasting forest protection, linking economic opportunity with conservation. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

On this month’s Planet Possible, Niki is joined by co-host Polly Cook - Chief Officer for Climate, Energy and Green Spaces at Leeds City Council. And for our deep dive interview, on this episode into Heat Networks, Niki and Polly are joined by David Riley - Head of Carbon and Climate Adaptation within Anglian Water and Michael Avant Smith - Senior VP for Decarbonisation at BMA. This Episode is an introduction to Heat Networks and a look at an innovative plan to harness waste heat from sewers: We’re going to hear about the innovative TORCH Project which is a research and development initiative focused on assessing, and promoting, the viability of recovering heat from urban sewer systems in the UK. It aims to address the current evidence gap and de-risk the concept for wider adoption.   We find out: • What TORCH stands for and what’s it aiming to achieve and by when.• What’s going to happen in practice.• How far along the project is and who’s involved.• What makes it so innovative.• If successful, what scaling looks like and what the enablers, and barriers, are to implementation. As we think about the energy mix we want in the UK, moving forwards, heat networks could play a really interesting role.   Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

The stories on this week's Minipod are:Finnish researchers have been exploring what happens when we bring a little more wild back into our everyday lives. Their “rewilding” experiment shows the link between increasing our nature exposure and better microbiome biodiversity.There’s good news, and perhaps some not so good news, about renewables. Solar power has now been the largest source of new electricity globally for three years in a row. Some nations are increasing their reliability on fossil fuels. However, solar prices have fallen making it more much accessible for lower income countries.Why the changing migration routes for birds, once defined seasons, are bending, shifting north, skipping stops they’ve made for centuries. Each altered flight path is a living chart of how fast habitats are shrinking and ecosystems are changing.Show Notes:Read the BBC article on renewable energy hereRead the Guardian article on bird migration here Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Lord Zac Goldsmith has been a voice for environmental issues throughout his political career. He has held vital positions of power in government that have made him able to move the needle on climate and nature. His insights take us inside the cabinet meetings, international negotiations and global summits where progress can be encouraged and delivered... but also stifled.In this wide-ranging interview he talks candidly about:His opinion on current Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's desire to repeal the Climate Change ActWhy he felt he had to resign from the Rishi Sunak-led Conservative government over a move away from green issuesHow he judges the current UK government to be doing on climate, nature and waterWhat the biggest global challenges are and how to solve themHow - done right - governments and campaigners can work together to bring about meaningful changeWhat he thinks lies behind the current trend for right-leaning political parties to de-prioritise the environmentWhy he believes it is possible for us to make the progress we need to on the environment  Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Emma Reynolds has been appointed the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK. How will she sort through all the recent reports and reviews into the highly contentious future of the water sector in the UK? What actions will she take from the various recommendationsThere is drought in many parts of the UK. Should it be water companies that decide (and announce) when things like hosepipe bans are implemented or could there be a better process?What are Sponge Cities? How has China had so much success with them and should the approach be replicated in other parts of the world?Host Niki Roach and CIWEM Director of Policy Al Chisholm discuss all of the above current issues in this month's Planet Possible MiniPod.If you want to find out more about the 'A Fresh Water Future Conference' in December, visit:www.ciwem.org/events/a-fresh-water-future-conference-2025 Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

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