BBC, Defra, the Environment Agency, and Chris Packham CBE Join the ESS Expo Line-Up

Naturalist and television presenter, Chris Packham CBE, and BBC Plant Earth III Producer, Mike Gunton, are set to headline this year’s Environmental Services & Solutions Expo (ESS) conference agenda alongside other senior leaders from Defra, the Environment Agency, Unilever, Sony, Biffa, and more.

Eco-elite join line-up

Starting two days of inspiring talks, thought leadership, and predictions, will be Mike Gunton, Producer of BBC Plant Earth III (11:00, 11 September). Gunton will take to the Summit Stage, sponsored by SUEZ, with his presentation entitled, ‘Planet Earth and Beyond… How To Show The Challenges Facing The Natural World And Keep Your Audience Engaged’. With over four decades of experience in natural world television, Gunton will explain how humanity is changing our planet and how he manages the delicate balance of bringing these important issues to our screens.

Chris Packham will also headline the Summit Stage agenda on day one (13:45, 11 September) to discuss how the UK can achieve greater sustainability and innovation in environmental practices.  Bringing his wealth of expertise in the environmental sector, wildlife, and conservation, Packham hopes to forge powerful partnerships with the industry and commercial sectors to infiltrate and create effective compromises to conserve and care for the environment.

Designed to inspire, educate, and invigorate the professional community, the ESS event will boast an eclectic mix of industry leaders, celebrities, government officials, environmental policymakers, and ambitious newcomers. Spanning two action-packed days, attendees can engage in hundreds of panel discussions, speaker sessions, and Q&As.

Over 350 speakers from esteemed organisations such as Unilever, the NHS, Winvic, Anglian Water, Sony, Virgin Media O2, Heathrow Airport, Lloyds Banking Group, the Department for Business & Trade, the Environment Agency, National Grid, Biffa, John F Hunt, National Highways, Strata Homes, Viridor, Yorkshire Water, and many more, will deliver expert-led sessions across 17 expansive stages and theatres. See the full 2024 agenda here.

Industry power players

Elsewhere, the Energy, Fuels, and Decarbonisation (EFD) Keynote Stage will host a panel discussion with a trio of leading voices leading the conversation on, ‘Scaling Up Carbon Capture – Building Bigger, Better, and Cheaper’ (11:45, 11 September). Here, James Eyton, Head of CCUS at Viridor; Jay Shah, Head of ETS Expansion to Waste at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; and Tim Rotheray, Chief Sustainability Officer at Viridor will explore the critical role of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) in achieving net-zero emissions. The experts will discuss strategies to increase the scale and efficiency of carbon capture facilities while reducing costs. Key topics will include technological advancements, economic viability, and the secure storage of captured carbon.

As the Energy from Waste (EfW) industry navigates the complexities of the low-carbon economy, a crucial panel discussion at the EFD Stage (12:45, 12 September) will delve into the intricate relationship between the sector and the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Titled, ‘The Emissions Trading Scheme and the Energy from Waste Industry: Specific Considerations and Strategies’, this session will bring together industry leaders to explore the implications of the ETS on EfW operations, from compliance strategies to technological advancements. The panel, featuring experts from the Environmental Services Association, Ricardo, Ashfords LLP, SLR Consulting, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will offer valuable insights for sector professionals grappling with the evolving regulatory landscape.

A panel discussion featuring the biggest resource management companies, titled: ‘Leaders in Waste’ (12:00, 12 September), will feature Maxine Mayhew, Chief Operating Officer, Collections & Specialist Services at Biffa; Steve Molyneux, Deputy Director Waste & Resources at the Environment Agency; Neil Grundon, Chairman of Grundon; Anna Willetts, Partner at gunnercooke LLP; and Jenny Harrison, Chief Financial Officer at enfinium.

The session will delve into critical industry trends, innovative waste reduction strategies, and the challenges and opportunities presented by recent regulations. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the strategies employed by leading companies to navigate the complex and dynamic waste management sector.

Lastly, talking on ‘Exploring Solutions to Pollution and Storm Overflow Challenges’ from the root causes of water pollution issues to innovative solutions including water treatment and green infrastructure will be a trio of key sector voices featuring Darren Eckford, Director of Learning and Organisation Development at CIWEM; Nicole McNab, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Southern Water; and Sam Sweeney, Improving Water Company Regulation Manager at the Environment Agency.

At 10:45 on the Water Keynote Stage (11 September), these experts will share their own learning and personal experiences to help shape best practices and community solutions across the industry.

The full conference speaker agenda is now available to view on the ESS Expo website, here.

To register to attend ESS Expo 2024 from 11-12 September at the NEC, Birmingham, visit the website, here.

Read more on the ESS Expo here.