Nigel Haigh OBE, Honorary Fellow and former director of IEEP UK, gave an insightful address during the Autumn Reception, reflecting the positive impact IEEP had in developing the nascent European environmental movement in the EU and UK.

IEEP has been placed uniquely placed in Europe’s environmental policy space, constructively building on its links across the Channel throughout its history, to further environmental ambitions, protections and standards – regularly fulfilling its role ‘to inform and guide policy makers.’

Nigel’s leadership during his tenure as director at IEEP helped shape many, now iconic, pieces of environmental legislation, such as the ‘Salzburg Declaration (the precursor of the Aarhus Convention’), EU Directives on pollution prevention and many others.

Nigel also reflected on Brexit, its impact, and how the environment is a daily topic of conversation in British politics despite departing the EU. It is in this context that Nigel refers to the importance of tracking ‘divergence’; an area of study central to IEEP UK’s work, following the key developments in the EU, UK and across the UK’s four nations, to ensure that environmental policy remains coherent and outcome-based. Issues like these are now more important than ever, to ensure that there will always be a working relationship on crucial environmental issues, despite changing governments or fluctuating relations between both sides.

To read more about Nigel’s keynote address, access the full speech here, or download below.