Planet Possible (CIWEM)

The water that runs off our traffic-filled roads ends up in our rivers, but we know little about it, it's hardly monitored and improving the quality of that runoff is a huge task.

Join us for this special episode of Planet Possible in collaboration with Watershed Investigations as we dig into the realities of highway runoff . . We’re joined from the front line by Jo Bradley from Stormwater Shepherds as she carries out water quality testing and hear from both National Highways, who own the strategic road network and the Environment Agency, the environmental regulator in England.  

We explore how we manage these flows and what the future looks like - and of course we’ll offer our guests the Planet Possible magic wand too.

Post-interview clarification on behalf of National Highways:

”National Highways developed its water runoff risk assessment tool in partnership with the Environment Agency, and it was agreed it was fit for purpose. Similarly, on the M6 J21A-26, seven Vortex Separation Chambers have been installed as part of upgrade work to keep pollutants in check. Along with drainage, these devices use hydrodynamic separation to capture and retain insoluble particles such as silt, hydrocarbons and debris from the surface water systems.”

 

Our 2024 season is supported by Atkins Réalis

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

In this episode we explore the recent flooding that has happened across the south of Spain, resulting in the tragic loss of 224 lives, and resulting in Spain mounting it’s biggest peacetime disaster recovery operation. 

 One of the consequences of a changing climate is more extreme weather and that’s what exactly what the Valencia region experienced in late October.

You'll hear  what happened, what the situation is like at the moment in Valencia and what early lessons are beginning to be shared. We're joined by Miguel Cano, a Principal Hydraulic Modeller at Anglian Water who was born and raised in Valencia and is there at the time of this recording and a wonderful cohost to help us navigate the topic, CIWEM’s President and a Regional Delivery Director for Flood, Coast and Maritime at Binnies, Hannah Burgess. 
 

You can view a map of the impacted area that Miguel discusses in this episode here: https://planetpossible.eco/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ValenciaFloodMap.jpg

All of our episodes are available in audio transcription in multiple languages.

Thanks to our sponsors Atkins Realis for supporting Planet Possible.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Can you be an activist and an environmental professional? How do we tackle eco-anxiety, especially for the next generation and is activism be something everyone can get involved in?

In today’s episode we’re exploring the role that activism plays in driving positive environmental and                                                                    climate outcomes. Increasingly we’re seeing and hearing individuals and groups looking to drive faster action on slowing the speed at which our planet is warming. What are some of the unintended consequences of activism - and how can we support youth activists more effectively?

To explore this - and much more - we're joined by a 24-year-old climate activist and the founding Executive Director of Force of Nature - a youth non-profit mobilising mindsets for climate action - Clover Hogan.

Listen to Clover's TED talk - viewed over 2 million times - here https://www.ted.com/talks/clover_hogan_what_to_do_when_climate_change_feels_unstoppable?language=en

 

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

November 2024 has been a busy month in the news for conversations about our changing climate – from flooding due to Storm Bert in the UK, the tragic floods in southern Spain and wildfires in South America. It’s against this backdrop, that we’re digging into what happened at the recent Climate COP in Baku, Azerbaijan; whether it went as experts expected and what it all means at all scales from international agreements to local action.

We hear from the Chair of the UK’s Climate Change Committee who’s represented the UK at COP29, Piers Forster and the episode is cohosted by the Director of both the Leeds and Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commissions, Rosa Foster. 

Useful Links

Yorkshire & Humber Climate Action Plan:

https://yorksandhumberclimate.org.uk/news/action-plan-tackle-climate-crisis-has-support-yorkshire’s-leaders%C2%A0

 

Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Realis

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Welcome to our January 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 Julie Foley,  Director of Flood Risk Strategy & National Adaptation at the Environment Agency and we explore...

1. The recently updated flood and coastal erosion risk information for England that means one in four properties in England could be in areas at risk of flooding by the middle of the century.
2. 2024 was the 4th warmest year on record in the UK – so why do we talk about weather but find climate such a tricky topic?
3. How to achieve greater inclusivity of multicultural communities in flood projects.

Check your long term flood risk... https://www.gov.uk/check-long-term-flood-risk

Our 2024 Season of Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Realis.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

2023 is set to be the hottest year on record with temperatures 1.4 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average and sea surface temperatures for the polar oceans reaching almost 21 degrees C in October. In recent years we’ve seen the climate COPs making headline news - so what was it like to attend COP28, how significant were the outputs - and how did the paradox of a fossil fuel economy hosting COP hosting a COP play out?

Join Niki and her co-host and Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commissioner, Adam Ashman as they explore what COP28 means at a national and local level and hear from CIWEM President Bushra Hussain and Chair of the Trustee Board, Annie Shepperd, as they tell us about their COP28 experiences.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Thanks to our season sponsors, Binnies, for enabling us to bring Planet Possible to you.

A transcription of this episode - and all episodes in Season 3 - is available on the Planetpossible.eco website.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki and her co-host and Environment Agency Chair, Emma Howard-Boyd as they explore the topic of Nature Based Solutions. Hear reflections from Beccy Speight, CEO of the RSPB on the importance of working with nature in tackling both the biodiversity and climate crisis and what more we can do to accelerate progress towards these types of solutions.Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

You might already have a view on whether it’s a helpful way of bringing some greenery to a tricky space – or that it should be banned entirely. Either way, we’re going to explore in this episode some of the science and evidence behind the use of plastic grass, think about why it’s proving so popular and explore some great alternatives for people to think about. 

We’re joined by a fantastic co-host, Dr Chloe Sutcliffe of the Royal horticultural Society, and we speak with Professor Ross Cameron from the University of Sheffield on the radical changes he proposed need to be made to the way we think about our gardens.

You can read more about Professor Cameron’s paper that we chat about during the show here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/cut-council-tax-green-gardeners-help-cities-tackle-climate-change

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Green Social Prescribing study:

https://news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-health-and-life-sciences/new-research-has-found-prescribing-nature-can-improve-happiness-and-reduce-anxiety/

Get involved in the Big River Watch here: 

https://theriverstrust.org/take-action/the-big-river-watch

Find out what’s happening in Hackney here:

https://hackney.gov.uk/trees/

 

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki and her co-host, Susan Stockwell, Managing Director of Skewb Green, as they explore how business are approaching the challenge of climate change. Our guest interview is with the Rt. Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben, Chair of the Committee on Climate Change and formerly the longest serving Secretary of State for the Environment for UK (1993-97). We explore the legacy of COP27 and what actions we need our Government, businesses and us as individuals to take to adapt and increase our resilience to climate change.Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki Roach as she speaks with Chris Stark, CEO of the Climate Change Committee (CCC).  The CCC advise the UK and devolved governments on emissions targets and to report to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change.  We hear what Chris thinks a 'good COP' will look like and his hopes and expectations for COP26 in his home city of Glasgow.

Niki's co-host for this episode is Dr Mark Fletcher, the Global Water Business Leader at Arup.  Mark has attended several COP's in person and shares his experience of how COP's work in practisce.  Mark is adds a water and environment sector overview for COP26, thinking about what's needed and what we should expect. 

This is the perfect podcast to get up to speed on what to expect from COP26 and to think about the connections from this Climate Change COP into the water and environment sector.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki and her co-host Maya Butler from Natural England and guest Stephanie Smith from Bradford University Teaching Hospital as they explore green and blue social prescribing. What is it, how does it work and why should water and environment professionals think about in their work?Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki and her co-host Mark Challoner as they explore the world of Forever Chemicals. If you've heard of PFAS and want to know more - or want to get an overview of this critically important topic, this episode is for you.

All of our episodes in Season 3 are audio transcribed & contribute to your CPD points.

Huge thanks to our Season Sponsors Binnies for enabling us to bring Planet Possible to you.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Season 3 of Planet Possible is supported by Binnies

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki for a virtual tour of Hull in East Yorkshire with her tour guide and Living with Water’s General Manager, Lee Pitcher. They’ll be joined by Ben Wallis, Kate MacDonald and Martin Budd to explore how the city has recovered after the devastating 2007 floods and how the special Living with Water partnership is helping people move from fearing to thriving around water.    

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Uruguay has been facing the longest drought the country has ever recorded in it’s capital Montevideo, leaving the city almost completely dry and the Paso Severino reservoir, supplying over half the country’s 3.4 millions people, at 2.4% capacity in late June. This is especially fascinating for a country that in 2004 enshrined access to water as a fundamental right in it’s constitution.

To help us understand more about how Montevideo got here, what’s happening now and crucially, what lessons can we identify we're joined by a Uruguayan researcher, winner of the L'Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Award and Professor at the University Center of the Eastern Region of the University of the Republic.

 

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

What does it take to make a step change to the water environment when so many organisations are responsible for individual parts of it?

Join us as Niki speaks to Paddy Brow, Head of the Living with Water Programme for Wastewater Treatment for Northern Ireland Water & find out how they’re tackling some significant pollution challenges in Belfast Lough.

This episode is co-hosted by Lee Pitcher, Head of Partnerships for Yorkshire Water and a Board Member for the Living with Water programme in Hull.

Season 4 of Planet Possible is sponsored by Skewb.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

The short-lived Truss government's push for growth at all costs sent shockwaves through the environmental sector as green policies were abandoned, reversed or shelved... potentially leaving UK nature in crisis. In this special episode of Planet Possible, host Niki Roach is joined by two sector heavyweights and key players in the coalition of environmental organisations that spoke up in opposition to the so-called 'War On Nature' and mobilised - Beccy Speight, CEO of the RSPB and Craig Bennett, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts. CIWEM's Director Of Policy Al Chisholm is also on hand providing industry context to set up the key theme of the discussion - what happens next?

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

What would you do for the environment if you had a magic wand? We look back in this pre-season special on what some of our guests would do.Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Welcome to a brand new season of Planet Possible! We’re back with a season packed with insightful guests and were pleased to introduce our new season sponsor - Skewb - whose support enables us to bring the pod to you.

In this first episode join Niki and her co-host Sara King from Rewilding Britain as they discuss all things rewilding, including what Rewilding really means. 

In our main interview hear the thoughts of Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England, on the need for nature recovery, how we‘re doing so far and what Tony would like to make possible with the Planet Possible magic wand.

A transcription of this episode is available on PlanetPossible.eco

 

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki and her co-host, Anusha Shah, Director of Resilient Cities at Arcadis as they explore how green our cities are - and what's possible. Hear from Dusty Gedge, President of the European Federation of Green Roofs and passionate environmentalist who's mapped all of the green roof potential in London about what he sees are the ways forward to change our citiscapes globally.Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Welcome to our first MiniPod!

It's an extra once-a-month update episode that will react to current events in water, climate and nature. It's a MiniPod because it'll only take about 15 minutes of your time.. and it means you get a Planet Possible episode every two weeks.

Each mini pod I will be joined by an environmental expert guest and together we will discuss 3 key current talking points that will keep you bang up-to-date with the latest planet positive developments.

And in our first episode hear from Director of Policy at CIWEM, Alastair Chisholm, as he chooses the 3 topics that have been in the news over the last couple of weeks - and no surprise that there's a water and UK political focus in this first episode.

Sponsor

Our 2024 season of Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Realis 

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Celebrating World Water Day and it's theme of Valuing Water, join CIWEM President Niki Roach as she interviews WaterAid's Country Director, Tripti Rai to explore the water, sanitation and hygiene situation in Nepal.  Tripti expains how an innovative partnership with Anglian Water in the UK has led to more than just skills sharing on the ground.

Niki's co-host for this episode is Neil Dewis, Chair of WaterAid in Yorkshire and Director of Water Service Delivery for Yorkshire Water.  Neil offers his reflections on the conversation and the comparison with the 20 towns initiative that Yorkshire Water and WaterAid Ethiopia have recently developed.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Water in the UK has become both a political football and a source of vast public anger. Storm overflows, sewage spills, dying rivers and dividend payouts have dominated debates everywhere from parliament to the pub. Everyone seems to have an opinion, and clearly there are huge and complex issues... but what are the answers?

CIWEM Director of Policy Al Chisholm is in a unique position of objectivity and influence. He's across the detail and the breadth of the issues. Niki Roach, with her vast and varied experience within the water industry senses the nuances that the public may not see.

Between them they have an honest, focused and practical discussion about what the future of UK Water should be. Is the ownership model right? Is regulation suitable and strong enough? With a general election on the horizon, what do the major political parties want to do? What will win out - big infrastructure or nature based solutions?

This is an essential listen not only for those in the water industry but anyone and everyone who wants the water sector in the UK fixed.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Get Involved:

Rivers Trust Big Riverwatch - https://theriverstrust.org/take-action/the-big-river-watch

Earthwatch Europes Great Water Blitz - https://earthwatch.org.uk/greatukwaterblitz/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1Yy5BhD-ARIsAI0RbXbP0LGenvFditCly4FiZ6lMRAksO7qXflyKjQZNbyYkDu7ZiNIl8-waAoqyEALw_wcB

Our 2024 season of Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Realis.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Chris Packham spoke to Niki Roach in a special live recording of Planet Possible at ESS Expo (Environmental Services & Technology Solutions 2024) at the NEC in Birmingham.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

President of CIWEM Niki Roach introduces a brand new podcast series - 'Let's Talk WEM', supported by Yorkshire Water. Listen to this trailer to find out more.Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki and her co-host Julie Foley, Director of Flood Risk Strategy and Natural Adaptation at the Environment Agency in England to explore how to manage a moving coastline.

With one of the fastest changing coastlines in Europe, we focus on North Norfolk and hear from Councillor Harry Blathwayt on how communities prepare for coastal erosion and the potential loss of their homes to the sea.

This season of Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Realis.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

*Content warning: This podcast contains brief mentions of experiences around mental ill-health and miscarriage which some listeners may find upsetting.

Many different types of neurodivergence exist, and it can be hard to understand what workplace adjustments we can make that will support everyone. What constitutes a reasonable request? Whose responsibility is it? Niki Roach is joined by Lea Nightingale, JBA Consulting & CIEEM; Zoe Brunswick, RSK;  Rai Hastie, The Environment Agency; Francesca Brahmbhatt, CIWEM; and Emily Clarke, Binnies to try to unpick some of those questions and provide tips to help shape a better work environment for all. 

Harnessing neurodiversity in the workplace

Workplaces and practices have been designed around neurotypical thinking, but the changes we can make to support neurodivergent thinking make the workplace more supportive for everyone. This podcast explores how we can create more inclusive cultures for neurodivergent colleagues. We also discuss why networks are so important for both employees and employers and how to support these networks in your workplace.

Inclusive principles:

• Learn from those with lived experiences 
• Be an employer of choice
• Look for barriers to inclusion
• Discuss what reasonable adjustments look like

What neurodiversity networks enable:

• Allow people who face common challenges to come together 
• Sharing of personal stories and ways or working 
• Shaping new policies and HR best practice 

CIWEM is dedicated to sharing knowledge on neurodiversity, to get involved, please contact Francesca at governance@ciwem.org.

Read more from CIWEM on neurodiversity below: 

• Work, neurodivergence and me  https://www.ciwem.org/news/work-neurodivergence-and-me
• CIWEM celebrates neurodiversity within the team: https://www.ciwem.org/news/ciwem-celebrates-neurodiversity-within-the-team
• Support neurodiversity in the workplace: https://rskgroup.com/life-at-rsk/supporting-neurodiversity-in-the-workplace/

This special episode of Planet Possible is sponsored by RSK.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Thanks to our Season 2 Sponsor - Thames Water - for helping us to bring Let's talk WEM to you.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

On the day we hear an apology from WaterUK on behalf of the water sector for sewage pollution from storm overflows, we wanted to explore what this really means for customers and the environment and whether there are any unintended consequences.

 

We’re joined by the acting CEO of the Environment Agency John Curtin and Niki’s co-host and CIWEM Director of Policy, Al Chisholm to discuss their reflections.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki in conversation with Hannah Coogan, Emma Sherburn and Clare Rodgers as they celebrate the role that mentors, friends and allies have played in their careers to date.  Find out what advice they'd give to their 21 year old selves and as ever - we pass them the Planet Possible 'magic wand' to see what they'd want to make possible.

This is perfect listening if you're thinking about a career in the water and environment sector or an opportunity to reflect on your own career path. If you'd like to explore how a mentor can support your development - or how you can share your expertise through mentoring, find out more here....

 https://www.ciwem.org/membership/mentoring

Thanks to our Season Sponsor, Skewb, for helping us to bring this episode to you.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Season 3 of Planet Possible launches on the 20th April! in this final pre-season audio special, find out what some of our previous and future guests think is possible for our planet over the next ten years. Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join us for the Season Finale of the pod and our first on-location episode!  Niki and co-host Alastair Chisholm head to Spains Hall Estate in north Essex to meet Archie Ruggles-Brise and explore some of his innovative approaches to managing the land - and water - across the estate.  Listen as we explore the estate, hear about the approaches to natural flood management, biodiversity net gain, natural capital agroforestry and topped off with a visit to one of the beaver lodges.

You can find out more about the work of Spains Hall here: https://www.spainshallestate.co.uk/environment

Find out more about becoming a member of CIWEM here: https://www.ciwem.org/membership/

Thanks to our season 4 sponsors Skewb for supporting Planet Possible.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

We've reached the end of Season 1 of Let's talk WEM!  Hear a few of our highlights from the compelling, authentic stories that our guests have shared with us and if you missed any episodes then grab a cuppa/ take the dog for a walk/ find your podcast listening spot and dive back into Season 1, before Season 2 gets started!

Thanks to our Season 1 sponsor Yorkshire Water for enabling us to bring Let's talk WEM to life.

If you'd like to get in touch to be involved with Let's talk WEM or to sponsor an episode you can reach us at niki.roach@ciwem.org.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki and her co-host Angela MacOscar, Head of Innovation at Northumbrian Water as they explore the innovation landscape in the water sector. Paul O'Callaghan, Founder and CEO of Bluetech Research gives a global perspective on latest trends, what we can learn from pre-Incan civilisations and how the water sector is the 'Neville Longbottom' of innovation! Planet Possible is a Bwlb production & is sponsored by Binnies.com An audio transcript of this episode is available.Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Are our schools ready to adapt to climate change? How do we engage children about the future of the planet without overwhelming them? 

Join CIWEM President Niki Roach and her co-host Baroness Brown as they discuss the challenges facing schools as they tackle climate change adaptation and resilience both in the classroom and the fabric of school buildings.

Season 2 kicks off with a fantastic line up of guests connecting the water & environment sector and education.  Lesley McKay, Headteacher of Moor Allerton Hall Primary School in Leeds, shares how her school have  developed a climate curriculum- and been retweeted by Greta! Daniel Johns shares his experience of being a Governor at John Burns Primary in Battersea, London. The school are about to embark on an ambitious climate adaptation programme after hot summers began to impact on the children’s learning.

Join us as we explore if everything really is connected… 

p.s if you want to find out more about the STEM Learning charity Baroness Brown mentions here’s the link… https://www.stem.org.uk/ 

 

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

A full transcript of this episode is available to provide wider accessibility to the content of the pod.  

Planet Possible is sponsored by Binnies - find out more at binnies.com

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

What does the cleanliness of England's longest river say about the debate around river quality the role of the UK's biggest water company, Thames Water? This episode aims to find out by telling two sides of the story - what the campaigners say... and what the company itself says.

We're joined by broadcaster and environmentalist, Steve Backshall and the CEO of River Action, James Wallace to hear their experiences of river water quality sampling and what they hope for the future of the river.  Then hear Alex Nickson, Head of Environmental Compliance, Partnerships and Catchment Management respond to some of the challenges Steve and James raise, bust some myths and share plans for the future.

Co-hosted with Alastair Chisholm, CIWEM's Director of Policy, you'll hear the passion and the commitment from all sides of the debate around river water quality and learn what each of our guests would make possible with the Planet Possible Magic Wand.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join CIWEM President Niki Roach and her guest Co-Host Liam Foster from WSP New Zealand as they hear from Catherine Wright and Oliver Harmar of the Environment Agency in England to explore the topic of resilience. Our guests share their experience of major flooding incidents in England in 2019 and how they applied lessons learned to managing Storm Christoph in early 2021.  Liam and Niki explore how the approach compares to water management in New Zealand - Aotearoa  and what we can learn from each other's challenges.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki and her co-host, Md Shamsuddoha, the CEO of the Centre for Participatory Research & Development in Bangladesh as they explore the barriers to communities adapting to climate change & the secondary and tertiary impacts of climate change.  In this episode we hear from Tim Wainwright, CEO of WaterAid as he reflects on why the world is still not making access to water and sanitation a priority - and crucially what needs to happen to support communities to be able to adapt.

Each episode of Planet Possible is audio transcribed and contributes 45 minutes towards Continuing Professional Development. 

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

We're exploring the topic of bioresources - sometimes called sewage sludge - and our interview is with Georgia Elliot-Smith, who's heading up 'Fighting Dirty' - a campaign to ensure environmental regulation around sewage sludge - last updated in 1989 in England and Wales - remains effective. Niki's co-host is the Director of Innovation & Delivery at CIWEM and supported the creation of the National Biosolids Strategy in 2023 - Paul Shaffer.

Find out what Fighting Dirty are aiming to change, how bioresources are currently managed in England and Wales and what our guests would make possible with the Planet Possible Magic Wand...

You can find more about the Fighting Dirty Campaign at https://fightingdirty.org/

This season of Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Réalis - https://www.atkinsrealis.com/

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Everyone got a bit of a shock when a General Election was announced for July 4th. So, we know there is going to be a new government. Whoever ends up in power, what should they be doing - in the first 100 days and beyond - to do right by water and the environment?

Host Niki Roach and CIWEM Director of Policy Al Chisholm pick their 3 wishes (they actually end up with 4) for the new incoming government... plus there are things that need finishing and following through on. Water and environment have never been higher up the political agenda, nor more important to the public, so the whoever forms the next government, they need to get it right.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Agriculture has a major role in determining water availability and quality, especially in a region like Yorkshire where a large amount of catchment water moves over and through farmland.

In this episode, host Niki Roach visits the Biohub at Ings Farm near Harrogate to see a load of innovative farming practices being trialled. The aim is to increase biodiversity, enable sustainable and commercially viable food production and improve water quality, flood resilience and future water supplies.

Claire Green from Yorkshire Water is Niki's guest co-host to introduce the concept of the Biohub and place it in a strategic context.

On site at Biohub at Ings Farm, Niki Roach speaks to tenant farmer Dr Vincent Walsh plus Lisa Harrowsmith and Andrew Walker (both from Yorkshire Water)

Find out more about Biohub at regenfarmco.com

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

As we record this episode at the start of January, wherever you are in the world your news is likely to be filled with images of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, or temperatures well below freezing alongside flooding across much of the UK. 

And whilst climate and it’s impact on weather might be making the headlines, we know that nature and the biodiversity crises are inexorably linked to this challenge. 

So in todays episode we explore just how linked climate and nature are – and potentially could be in UK legislation.  Ahead of the Climate and Nature Bill heading to Westminster we're joined by Dr Roz Savage MBE, the MP who is bringing the bill forward.

Our Co-host is the former Chair of the UK Governments Climate Change Committee and the longest serving Secretary of State for the Environment for the British Government, The Right Honorable The Lord Deben.

Thanks to Atkins Realis for supporting Planet Possible.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Welcome to our MiniPod!

It's an extra once-a-month update episode that will react to current events in water, climate and nature. It's a MiniPod because it'll only take about 15 minutes of your time.. and it means you get a Planet Possible episode every two weeks.

Each mini pod you'll hear from an environmental expert guest and together we will discuss 3 key current talking points that will keep you up-to-date with the latest planet positive developments.

And in this episode hear from the Chief Executive of Water New Zealand, Gillian Blythe as she choses three topics that have been in the news in Aotearoa New Zealand including some big changes to the proposed water reforms.

Sponsor

Our 2024 season of Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Realis 

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Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Are you flood ready? How do you find out if your home is at risk of flooding? What can you do to protect your home and if water does suddenly come through your door, what should you do next?

With much of England and Scotland experiencing rainfall 70% above average for December, flooding has impacted thousands of homes and businesses. Join Niki and her co-host and Environment Agency Environment Manager, Ian Withers as they explore the role of the EA in flood forecasting, warning and operational response.

We hear the first hand impact of flooding from Mary Long-Donaugh OBE, who after experiencing significant flooding in 2007 is now a property flood resilience advocate.

And as ever, find out what our guests decided to make possible with the Planet Possible Magic Wand…

We mentioned these in the pod…

If you’re in the UK you can check your risk of flooding here: https://www.gov.uk/check-flooding

Check out Mary’s free flood guides here: https://floodmary.com

Warch the sandbag test here: https://floodmary.com/2022/02/23/when-a-flood-occurs-everyone-shouts-for-sandbags/

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki Roach as she speaks with key opinion formers and decision-makers from the UK on the topic of reducing our demand for water.  This extended final episode of Season 1 tackles the tricky topics of compulsory metering and explores what our other options are to reduce demand for water.  We hear what approaches are being taken globally and share what the current situation is like in the UK.

As part of CIWEM's ongoing advocacy work, Niki spoke with Rebecca Pow MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and we hear the Minister's views on why reducing our demand for water is so key.

Niki's co-host for this episode is Sophie Broadfield, the Deputy Director for Water at DEFRA (Dept for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) for the UK Government.  Her panelists are Nicci Russell, CEO of Waterwise, Andrew Tucker, Water Efficiency Manager for Thames Water and Rob Lawson, Chair of the CIWEM Water Resource Technical Panel.

 

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

This audio was recorded as part of the first WEM Pride online event, for members of the Water and Environmental Management LGBTQ+ community and their allies who would like to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in the WEM sector. WEM Pride provides LGBTQ+ people a safe space to share stories to support their community and increase education on the importance of Diversity and Inclusion in the WEM sector.

Speakers aim to focus on how far we’ve come in the WEM world in relation to LGBTQ+ issues, the importance of being an ally and what it’s like to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community within the WEM sector.

Mike Wheeler is a Senior Water Engineer at the Canal & River Trust and a Chartered CIWEM member. Mike joined the Trust in 1996 as a Lock Keeper and for the past 11 years has worked in the Water Management Team. Mike is a ‘Rainbow Ally’ at the Trust, helping to champion diversity and inclusion within the organisation.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

If you’re in the UK you’ll have heard about recent proposed changes to nutrient neutrality. Adding to the wider debate about the health of our rivers across England in particular, we explore the proposed changes & what they could mean for river health.

Niki is joined by Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow and the Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee who in 2021 put forward the private members bill that kickstarted much of the debate around river health. Dr Gabriel Connor-Streich joins Niki to co-host and offer his perspective based on his experience of developing nutrient neutrality guidance with Natural England and more recently advocating for an alternative approach. 

An audio transcript of this episode will be available shortly after release & you can listen to the Accordion version of the episode here - https://www.accordion.live/planetpossible/

This season of Planet Possible is sponsored by Accordion.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join CIWEM President Niki Roach and her guest Co-Host & CEO of British Water, Lila Thompson as they hear from the founders of Pride in Water, Jacquie Moon and Brendan Moore. Our guests share their stories of being part of the LGBTQ+ community and their experiences within the Australian water sector. We explore why they set up Pride in Water at Yarra Valley Water in Melbourne and how this initiative is now expanding Australia-wide.

 

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Let's talk WEM will be back soon for Season 3 with some superb guests and a new name! Moving forward you'll find us if you search for Planet Possible - but don't worry, subscribe and your podcast player will automatically pick up the new season.

Until then, enjoy this series of shorter audio specials...

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

With a remit set out in law to be “the guardian of the interests of future generations in Wales”, Sophie Howe is the world’s only Future Generations Commissioner. Her role is to provide advice to the Government and other public bodies in Wales on delivering social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being for current and future generations and assessing and reporting on how they are delivering.

Sophie, a mum of five named number five on Radio Four's Woman's Hour's Power List, took up post in 2016 and has led high profile interventions around transport planning, education reform and climate change challenging the Government and others to demonstrate how they are taking account of future generations. Her interventions have secured fundamental changes to land use planning policy, major transport schemes and Government policy on housing – ensuring that decisions taken today are fit for the future. 

Co-hosted by Alex Sobel MP, Shadow Environment Minister to the UK Government, in this episode we explore the role of the Future Generations Commissioner in Wales, what the plans are for similar roles in the devolved nations of the UK and more broadly, how we consider our future generations through our policy and legislative routes.

 

Hear Sophie's TED talk here - https://www.ted.com/talks/sophie_howe_lessons_on_leaving_the_world_better_than_you_found_it?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

 

We discuss the Office for Environmental Protection Report - you can read it here - https://www.theoep.org.uk/report/progress-improving-natural-environment-england-20212022

This episode has been audio transcribed. Visit PlanetPossible.eco to read the transcript.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Thanks to Planet Possible's Season Sponsors, Binnies, for enabling us to bring this podcast to you.

Binnies.com

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Season 3 of Planet Possible is supported by Binnies.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Coastal communities and those impacted by flooding are on the front line of climate change, already experiencing more frequent and severe events.  

Join Niki and her co-host Caroline Douglass, the Environment Agency's Exec Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management as they explore how the Environment Agency are helping communities prepare to adapt and be resilient to the impacts of climate change and more frequent and severe flooding events.  

Our guest interview is the Special Envoy for Climate Change in the Maldives, Her Excellency Sabra Nordeen who describes the experience of attending COP26 as a representative from a Small Island State and how the effects of climate change are already being felt in the Maldives.

An audio transcription of this episode is available & this episode provides 0.5 hours of CPD.

 

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join CIWEM President Niki Roach and her co-host Richard Benwell as they talk about COP - but maybe not the one you'd expect! We interview Craig Bennett, the CEO of The Wildlife Trusts and hear his reflections on how COVID and the nature emergency are linked, our current progress on the nature emergency and what a successful COP15 looks like.Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

For more information on Water New Zealand - https://www.waternz.org.nz/

For more information on Te Mana o te Wai - https://environment.govt.nz/acts-and-regulations/freshwater-implementation-guidance/te-mana-o-te-wai-implementation/

 

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Welcome to our November MiniPod! It's a monthly update where we’re joined by an expert guest and we react to current events in water, climate and nature - all in about 15 minutes. And in this episode hear from the CIWEM Junior President Peter Rook as we discuss- • What a Donald Trump Presidency means for climate and the environment. • The opportunities of planning reform in the UK. • How AI could make us more resilient to climate change and environmental shocks. Sponsor Our 2024 season of Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Realis Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Welcome to our December 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 Will McBain, a Director of Water at Arup and we explore...

1. The UK Government review of partnership funding regime for Flood and coastal erosion risk management.

2. New figures that reveal that 86% of rivers tested in 2023-24 in England were found to have bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides present whilst the office of environmental protection opens an investigation into Defra's emergency authorisation of the use of the pesticides.

3. Will's passion for a multi-generational programme of nature connection.

 

Our 2024 Season of Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Realis.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

The science and art of influence. Niki's special guest co-host is Barbara, Baroness Young Of Old Scone, plus her big interview is with Jake Rigg of Affinity Water and Alastair Chisholm from CIWEM. Join them to hear why advocacy is even necessary in the water and environment sector, hear first hand examples of advocacy in action and listen to their top tips for getting advocacy right.Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Interview guest - Bevis Watts (CEO of Triodos Bank UK, a leader in ethical and sustainable banking)

Co-host - Ed Dick (CEO of Great Yellow, a company that sources long-term capital for nature restoration projects)

We’re often joined by guests on Planet Possible who identify and look to take action to solve the challenges that we face in our water and environment. But we don’t often talk about how the work gets paid for. 

We know that water customers' bills can provide funding for environmental improvements or flood schemes, and governments can pay directly for infrastructure improvements. 

At a level beyond this, though... who benefits when we improve our natural environment and therefore who is willing to fund those improvements and why? Plus, a bigger question... how do we get better at truly valuing nature in a way that global financial structures can understand, work with and amplify?

Could green finance be the answer? Can it play a massive part by funding the planet-positive projects, innovations and processes that can start to address the world's urgent environmental challenges?

Helping to answer these questions are two expert guests. Our main interview is with Bevis Watts, the CEO of Triodos Bank UK and to help us navigate this topic our co-host is Ed Dick, the CEO of Great Yellow.

 

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Find out more about the projects that Bevis mentions in the episode...

• Wyre NFM project: press release and video overview of the finance model
• Oxygen Conservation: web article
• Read how Triodos has pioneered commercial investment in nature-based solutions. This is Nature Impact - find out more here.

Find out more about the York and North Yorkshire Local Investment in Natural Capital programme that Ed talks about here...

https://yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/project/local-investment-in-natural-capital/

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

What's it really like to be an observer at a COP?

As COP15, the UN Biodiversity Conference, heads towards it's conclusion, join Niki and her guest and Arctic Angel, Margherita Barbieri as they step behind the scenes to explore what was discussed at COP27 and what Margherita hopes to hear as outcomes from COP15 in Montreal.

Find out  more about the work of Global Choices and Arctic Angels here... https://www.globalchoices.org/arctic-angels

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

What does the future of water look like? Do we need a single organisation managing our water catchments and do we need more resources to regulate the quality and quantity of our water? Join the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, John Curtin and CIWEM's Director of Policy, Alastair Chisholm as we explore these topics - and find out what John's biggest environmental concern is.

A fresh water future?

You can read more from the conversation in CIWEM's new series, A Fresh Water Future - just click the below.

A Fresh Water Future - Home

In the UK our freshwaters are under stress like never before. Pollution from farming, wastewater and sewage, and impermeable urban surfaces is precipitating a steady decline in our water’s health despite a raft of existing regulation aimed at protecting it.

On top of this, climate change is exacerbating these challenges through droughts, floods and extreme weather.
The public and politicians are gradually waking up to this. But what can be done? We need food, we need housing, we need infrastructure. But above all we need a healthy environment – with freshwater as its lifeblood – to sustain us.

So how do we achieve healthy rivers, lakes and seas and a resilient water system for people?

From sewage pollution to flood and drought resilience, A Fresh Water Future is a space for CIWEM research, opinion, interviews and guest features on how we can manage water better in the future.

This special episode of Planet Possible is sponsored by Skewb.

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Find out more about The Water Report here:

www.thewaterreport.co.uk

Credits

 

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland