On November 22, our Environment team hosted a breakfast seminar, Environmental Law: What You Need to Know, at the Walker Morris office.

Below are the key takeaways from our speakers on the day.

Want to know more about environmental law, explore our Environmental law in practice information hub here, which contains a video series on commonplace issues as well as other useful articles and guides.

Rachel Turnbull & Josh Kitson, Directors, Walker Morris

Factor environmental considerations into your operations from the outset

Think about specific risks based on the site or operation and implement preventative measures at the start. Don’t wait until something has gone wrong.

Ensure contractors and employees are clear on their environmental responsibilities and have had suitable training

Set out any specific requirements in writing and ensure everyone involved knows how and when to escalate environmental issues.

Make sure that suitable training has been made available for all key personnel.

Be aware of the regulator’s extensive powers and have a plan for when an inspector visits

Ensure your team know the importance of engaging appropriately with the regulator as those initial interactions can help shape the progress and outcome of their investigation.

Get advice at the earliest opportunity

Getting prompt advice on how to remedy an issue (whether from lawyers, environmental consultants, ecologists, or others) can have a significant impact on the ultimate enforcement outcome.

In case of an incident, stay calm and keep your eye on the bigger picture

From the outset of an incident, consider the sentencing guidelines and what mitigating actions you can take to minimise the risk of enforcement action later on.

Adam Bertram, Associate, Walker Morris

Consider ways to operate more sustainably through the contracts you enter into

There is no better way to enshrine sustainable practices than in contracts. This could include provisions for procuring green energy (e.g., through power purchase agreements).

Tailor your contracts to ensure that they drive performance

A range of contracts (including standard form construction contracts) can be tailored to include objectives to perform the contract in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Carbon offsetting is only part of the solution

Carbon offsetting can be used as part of a broader strategy to reduce a company’s carbon footprint, but companies should first look at means of reducing their carbon emissions.#

Dr Phil Studds, Environment Director, Ramboll

Construction & demolition waste

It’s important to note that UK construction, demolition and excavation industries produce ~60% of all waste generated in the UK annually.

80% of construction waste is soil and soils make up 58% of waste received by landfill. Landfill disposal is extremely expensive and unsustainable.

There are various methods to reuse soil & construction waste, all with advantages and disadvantages.

However, soil should be considered a resource and not as waste; and it should be reused or recycled whenever possible.

Environmental law: How we can support you

Do you need support with environmental law within your organisation? Explore our Environmental law in practice hub for more useful videos and resources

Contact Rachel, Josh, Adam, or any member of the Environment team for any tailored advice, assistance, and training.