Episodes

  • S3 Ep3: Environment Matters - Destination: Unknown? What the PFAS Plan could mean for PFAS regulation in the UK - S3E3

    S3 Ep3: Environment Matters - Destination: Unknown? What the PFAS Plan could mean for PFAS regulation in the UK - S3E3
    Apr 30 2026
    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.
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    37 mins
  • S3 Ep2: Environment Matters - Choppy Waters: navigating the Government’s reform of the English water sector - S3E2

    S3 Ep2: Environment Matters - Choppy Waters: navigating the Government’s reform of the English water sector - S3E2
    Mar 31 2026

    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.
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    32 mins
  • S3 Ep1: Environment Matters - Regulatory & Governance: balancing economic growth with environmental protection - S3 E1

    S3 Ep1: Environment Matters - Regulatory & Governance: balancing economic growth with environmental protection - S3 E1
    Feb 26 2026
    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.
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    30 mins
  • S2 Ep3: The path forward for transition plans

    S2 Ep3: The path forward for transition plans
    Jul 10 2025
    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.
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    28 mins
  • S2 Ep2: Environmental Impact and Regulation of PFAS

    S2 Ep2: Environmental Impact and Regulation of PFAS
    Apr 9 2025
    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.
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    28 mins
  • S2 Ep1: Looking ahead to 2025

    S2 Ep1: Looking ahead to 2025
    Jan 30 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.
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    26 mins
  • S1 Ep6: The future of waste

    S1 Ep6: The future of waste
    Apr 17 2024
    Michael Barlow, Victoria Barnes and 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.
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    22 mins
  • S1 Ep5: Climate change and sustainability in supply chains

    S1 Ep5: Climate change and sustainability in supply chains
    Feb 14 2024
    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 and Pension Schemes ESG tool
    • Climate change and sustainability clauses
    Please click here to view an accessible version with subtitles. To view a transcript click here.
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    17 mins