Underground Overground: coal and water top bill at legal conference

Jul 02, 2009

The hot environmental topics of Coal and Water top the bill at the UK Environmental Law Association annual conference in Durham this weekend.

With the Government considering how best to keep the lights on, without adding to climate change, and with predictions of increased flooding and water shortages, environmental law is facing a time of critical challenges. Leading speakers from the UK will focus on these topics at UKELA’s keynote annual environmental law conference in Durham University on July 3rd to 5th.

Jonathan Robinson, the recently appointed Director of legal services for the Environment Agency, will open the discussions. Other sessions will consider the role of coal past, present and future in the energy mix, the Floods and Water Bill which is currently being consulted on and which forms a key plank of the Government’s environmental agenda before next year’s election, flood risk management and whether water is the next carbon in terms of public concern?

Speakers from NGOs, leading barristers’ chambers and law firms, will lead a wide range of discussions with 200 delegates from UKELA’s diverse membership. Peter Kellett, UKELA Chair says:

“UKELA’s annual conference provides a unique forum for the private, public, consultant, academic and NGO sectors to meet and debate how environmental law can be made to work to deliver a better environment. I am delighted that we have been able to bring together speakers of such calibre and authority to explain some of the key challenges facing us today.”

Members of the press are welcome to attend any of the discussion sessions or request papers or interviews with speakers.

UK Environmental Law Association - Making the law work for a better environment
Registered charity 299498; company registered in England number 2133283
Registered office: One St Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8SH