Listen to Environment Matters, where our leading environmental law solicitors are joined by experts from across Burges Salmon and special guests to discuss a wide range of topical environmental issues, including greenwashing, nature-based solutions and Variable Monetary Penalties for environmental offences.
S3 Ep4: Environment Matters - Natural Capital: where are we now? In conversation with Oxygen Conservation - S3E4
Natural capital is moving rapidly up the agenda for businesses, investors and policymakers – but where are we now, and what does good look like in practice? In this episode of Environment Matters hosted by Michael Barlow, Sarah Sackville Hamilton and Gabi Gershuny, from the Environment team, are joined by special guests, George Pawley (General Counsel and Company Secretary) and Chris Winter (Director of Natural Capital) at Oxygen Conservation.
The panel takes a deep dive into Burges Salmon's long-term carbon partnership with Oxygen Conservation, exploring how the partnership supports the protection and restoration of temperate Atlantic rainforest habitat and wider environmental and social benefits at the Leighon Estate in Dartmoor, Devon. The discussion touches on what makes a premium quality carbon credit, the challenges of structuring innovative natural capital agreements, and the lessons learned from building a first-of-its-kind partnership in the UK voluntary carbon market.
Looking beyond the carbon partnership, the conversation also examines the wider natural capital landscape in the UK, highlighting legal and policy developments affecting nature-based projects across the country and considering what action is needed to unlock greater private investment into nature recovery.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and overview of the partnership
01:43 Oxygen Conservation's mission and growth in the natural capital sector
07:09 The objectives behind the Burges Salmon x Oxygen Conservation partnership
09:41 What makes a premium-quality carbon credit?
14:31 Progress at the Leighon Estate and early impacts on the ground
20:19 Lessons learned from developing an innovative natural capital partnership
27:44 Tackling key legal and commercial challenges in carbon projects
32:35 The future of natural capital markets in the UK
41:12 What's next for Oxygen Conservation and the European market?
30 Apr 2026
S3 Ep3: Environment Matters - Destination: Unknown? What the PFAS Plan could mean for PFAS regulation in the UK - S3E3
PFAS continues to be a recurring issue for regulators and businesses alike. In this episode of Environment Matters, Michael Barlow is joined by Simon Tilling and Helena Sewell from Burges Salmon’s Environment team to unpack the UK’s evolving position.
The discussion reflects on the Government’s PFAS Plan (published in February) and the Environmental Audit Committee’s recent report into PFAS. The team explore practical challenges for regulation and clean-up, including concerns about a “whack-a-mole” approach, questions around “essential use”, and what mechanisms could realistically support remediation of PFAS-contaminated sites in the UK.
31 Mar 2026
S3 Ep2: Environment Matters - Choppy Waters: navigating the Government’s reform of the English water sector - S3E2
In episode 2 of series 3 of the Environment Matters podcast, Michael Barlow is joined by Simon Tilling and Pippy Shepherd to unpack the Government’s proposed reform of the English water sector.
The discussion focuses on DEFRA’s Water Sector Reform White Paper, exploring what the proposed regulatory reset means in practice for water companies, regulators, investors and customers.
The episode examines the creation of a new integrated water regulator, the move towards more outcomes‑focused regulation, changes to monitoring and enforcement, and the challenges of rebuilding public trust while maintaining investor confidence.
Join Michael Barlow, Sarah Sackville Hamilton and Simon Tilling as they discuss issues of regulation and governance with a focus on what the Corry Review means for DEFRA.
10 Jul 2025
S2 Ep3: The path forward for transition plans
In this episode, Michael Barlow and Gabi Gershuny are joined by David Desforges, Counsel for independent Paris-based law firm Almain Avocats to explore the evolving regulatory transition plan requirements both in the UK and EU.
We will delve into the complexities for companies, especially multinationals, as they navigate divergence between different jurisdictions and uncertainty in a shifting landscape.
9 Apr 2025
S2 Ep2: Environmental Impact and Regulation of PFAS
In this episode Michael Barlow, Victoria Barnes, and Helena Sewell explore the environmental impact and regulation of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals." They discuss the persistence of PFAS in the environment, their widespread use in various products, and the fragmented regulatory landscape in the UK. They also cover the implications for water quality, land contamination, and potential legal challenges related to PFAS.
30 Jan 2025
7: Looking ahead to 2025
Welcome to this special episode of our Environment Matters podcast, hosted by the Environment team at Burges Salmon.
In this episode, Michael Barlow, head of the Environment team, is joined by Victoria Barnes, and Helena Sewell, to discuss and their predictions for developments in environmental law in 2025. Key topics of discussion include changes to water sector regulation, circular economy developments, climate change liability and greenwashing.
17 Apr 2024
6: The future of waste
Michael Barlow (https://www.burges-salmon.com/our-people/michael-barlow), Victoria Barnes (https://www.burges-salmon.com/our-people/Victoria-Barnes) and Greg Fearn (https://www.burges-salmon.com/our-people/Greg-Fearn) conclude the first series of our Environment Matters podcast with a discussion on the future of waste and the move towards a circular economy.
In this 20-minute episode, the team explain the importance of developing a circular economy, the expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UKETS), the upcoming sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate and other regulatory and enforcement changes in the waste sector.
14 Feb 2024
5: Climate change and sustainability in supply chains
In this ESG-focused episode 'Climate change and sustainability in supply chains' you will hear leading environmental lawyers, Michael Barlow and Sarah Sackville Hamilton as they discuss topics including:
Why supply chain management is an important part of ESG
Corporate sustainability reporting: CSRD and CSDDD
Our new interactive ESG disclosure tool (https://www.burges-salmon.com/news-and-insight/legal-updates/esg/burges-salmon-launches-corporate-esg-disclosure-tool) and Pension Schemes ESG tool (https://www.burges-salmon.com/news-and-insight/legal-updates/pensions/pension-schemes-esg-tool)
Climate change and sustainability clauses
Please click here (https://youtu.be/63m1DOKecSs?si=MQo214ATgRBBIGid) to view an accessible version with subtitles. To view a transcript click here (https://www.burges-salmon.com/news-and-insight/legal-updates/environment/environment-matters-podcast/Climate-change-and-sustainability-in-supply-chains-transcript).
10 Jan 2024
4: Environment Matters Special Edition: reflecting on 2023 and looking ahead to 2024
In this special edition of Environment Matters, Michael Barlow, Ian Truman, Sarah Sackville Hamilton and Victoria Barnes look back at the key environmental law updates from 2023 and discuss their predictions for the upcoming year.
Policy delays and parliamentary retreats in 2023:
02:45: Retained EU Law Act 2023
05:40: Nutrient neutrality
08:10: Changes to variable monetary penalties
10:49: Biodiversity net gain requirements
Predictions for 2024:
14:15: UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
20:25: Environmental Permitting Regulations
22:45: Environmental civil sanctions
27:25: Climate litigation and greenwashing
34:55: Products and chemicals
13 Dec 2023
3: How to prepare for changes to environmental enforcement: the introduction of Variable Monetary Penalties
How to prepare for changes to environmental enforcement: the introduction of Variable Monetary Penalties
7 Nov 2023
2: How to navigate natural capital opportunities
In the second episode of Environment Matters, Michael Barlow, Ross Simpson and Sarah Sackville Hamilton discuss natural capital opportunities , covering what exactly nature-based solutions are, what activity is being seen in the market now, key things for landowners, corporate buyers and investors to consider what are the challenges lie ahead for the natural capital market ahead.
11 Oct 2023
1: How to avoid risks and protect your business from greenwashing
In the first episode of Environment Matters, Michael Barlow (https://www.burges-salmon.com/our-people/michael-barlow), Ian Truman (https://www.burges-salmon.com/our-people/ian-truman) and Victoria Barnes (https://www.burges-salmon.com/our-people/Victoria-Barnes) discuss greenwashing, the changing regulatory landscape and how businesses should be aware of the financial, reputational and litigation risks of misleading consumers and regulators on their green credentials.
3 Oct 2023
Environment Matters podcast trailer
The Burges Salmon Environment team is delighted to be launching our new monthly podcast series on 11 October. You will be able to listen to our leading environmental lawyers and special guests discussing topical environmental law themes, including:
Greenwashing
Nature-based solutions
Civil sanctions and Variable Monetary Penalties for environmental offences
Released every second Wednesday of the month, each bite-size episode will be available via our website (https://event.burges-salmon.com/collect/click.aspx?u=SDlEOXo0cjI4QUFEWnQvbU5wTURpcDdOZDQybE1rSUo3M0oyd3ZiWWJjLzdGY0NubHhzenFJUTljdlZSYjY5Mk5UVk0wRElPNUcrS1k2SjIvQWowUVo4OVRzQXIyRWhCYlprSUdnK3RoaHZ1cE9wTGhBcmE1QT09&ch=2df358601e95c116ad3311970f311a2bd04fa12e) and your favourite streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple and Deezer. To stay up to date with our latest episodes, do not forget to subscribe.
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