Professor Ada Wossink leads key discussions at Westminster Energy Forum
Professor Ada Wossink delivered a keynote address and chaired discussions at the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum conference, discussing ways to preserve ecosystems, support climate adaptation, and balance land use.
Ada Wossink, Professor of Environmental Economics, delivered a keynote address and chaired part of the proceedings at the .
The event provided a platform for key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the findings from the , focusing on key areas of risk and priority actions moving forward.
The discussions centred on aligning existing frameworks such as Environmental Land Management schemes and Biodiversity Net Gain frameworks, in order to preserve ecosystems, support climate adaptation, and balance competing land-use. Sessions also addressed the challenges for sustainable and reliable food production, maintaining habitats and supporting the farming community. Further discussions included improving water resources and the practical steps needed to accelerate habitat restoration and species protection.
Other notable speakers at the conference included Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair, Office of Environmental protection, Georgie Barber, Countryside and Land Use Lead, Food, Farming and Countryside Commission who also delivered keynote addresses. The House of Lords was represented by the Earl of Devon.
Ada Wossink reflects:
It was discussed that in many areas, actions are currently falling short. The issue is with the implementation: who will do what, how, and by when. It also needs to be much better addressed how the various plans across governmental departments that all have land use implications can be compatible and make use of synergy. Finally, current plan by the government to change the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements appears to lack a base in empirical evidence and the policy uncertainty it creates delays rather the promotes investment.