Liberal Democrat Conference 2024: What to expect on all things environmental
The Liberal Democrats are gearing up for their annual conference in Brighton from the 14th-17th September. It promises to be a pivotal moment for the party following the 2024 general election, where they secured 72 seats—their highest total ever. For the first time since 2015, they are the third-largest party in the House of Commons.
Unlike Labour and Conservative, Lib Dem conference offers a unique opportunity for party members to engage in debates and vote for issues to become official party policy.
With a busy agenda and varied selection of policy motions and third-party panels, Seahorse has pulled out the Lib Dem’s environmental must-see events. The full agenda for the conference can be found here.
Seahorse will be attending Lib Dem conference this year, so if you’re attending and would like to chat, please get in touch with Alice Russell arussell@seahorseenvironmental.co.uk
Saturday, 14th September
Marking the first consultative session, from 10:35 -11:50 the Liberal Democrats will discuss Climate Change. Chaired by Duncan Black, Chair of the Climate Change Working Group, this session provides an informal opportunity for party members to contribute to climate change policy discussions. The feedback will help shape future policies, and the session’s conclusions will guide the Climate Policy Working Group in its recommendations.
Venue: Brighton Auditorium
Event: 13:00-14:00, Keep Britain Tidy hosts ‘How can we hope to get growth in places where no one can love where they live?’. This session will explore how many of our most deprived communities are plagued by environmental degradation. Chaired by Suzy Brain England OBE, Chair of Keep Britain Tidy, and joined by Wera Hobhouse MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, the discussion will emphasise the critical role that environmental quality plays in attracting investment, enhancing health and wellbeing, and fostering opportunities for future generations.
Venue: Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1C
Sunday, 15th September
From 09:00-09:30, the policy motion on ‘National Nature Parks’ will be debated. The party will discuss the UK’s nature crisis, with a focus on reversing environmental decline. The session will touch on expanding protected landscapes, ensuring access to green spaces, and engaging local authorities in restoring natural environments.
Venue: Brighton Auditorium
Event: 13:00-14:00, ‘The Last Cold Winter: Tackling the Energy Crisis’, hosted by Green Alliance and Warm this Winter. This panel will explore how the Liberal Democrats can address the energy crisis while driving economic growth. Discussions will focus on fairness and building consensus for action. Speakers include Wera Hobhouse MP, Adam Scorer from National Energy Action, and Councillor Raj Visram.
Venue: Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1B
Event: 18:15-19:15, The National Trust and Green Alliance will host ‘Investing in Nature: Creating a Thriving Economy’. Chaired by Chris Venables, Director of Politics at Green Alliance, this session event will focus on the economic opportunities of investing in nature. With key speakers such as Vikki Slade MP and Patrick Begg from the National Trust, the discussion will investigate how a nature-positive economy can deliver prosperity for both people and the planet.
Venue: Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1C
Monday, 16th September
Event: 11:30-12:30, PAN UK and RSPB will host ‘Health, Environment and Social Justice: Everything the Liberal Democrats Need to Know About Pesticides’. This event will delve into the many problems caused by the overuse of pesticides, and importantly, the policy solutions to reducing pesticide-related harms to both human health and the environment. Speakers include Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link and Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture & Sports Committee and Deputy Leader of Richmond Council.
Venue: Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1B
Event: 13:00-14:00, The Institute for Government will host ‘How can the Liberal Democrats deliver a fair deal for housing?’. Britain's housing market is facing severe challenges, with house prices over eight times the average earnings, a sharp decline in social housebuilding, and rising homelessness. This event will explore how the Liberal Democrats can drive the government to deliver sustainable and affordable housing for the nation.
Venue: Located in Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole
From 18:15-19:15, NGOs will be hosting the first in a series of conference ‘Green Groups Receptions’. Join an impressive lineup of environmental groups, including Green Alliance, WWF, Greenpeace, and Chester Zoo, for a reception focused on the crucial role the next parliament will play in tackling the climate and nature crises. Expected speakers include Rt Hon Sir Ed Davey MP.
Venue: The Grand Hotel, Empress Room
Tuesday, 17th September
As the first policy motion of the day, from 9:30-10:15, party members will debate the policy motion on ‘The Clean Water Authority’. The proposal seeks to replace Ofwat with a new Clean Water Authority, empowered to regulate water companies more effectively and enforce stricter environmental standards, including mandates to end sewage spills by 2030. This event has gained a new significance thanks to Labour’s new Water Bill.
Venue: Brighton Auditorium
Event: 13:00-14:00, River Action, Sustain and WWF (representing Sustainable Nitrogen Alliance) will host ‘Beyond sewage: supporting our farmers and restoring healthy rivers’. Join a panel of experts including Environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP and Rupert Shinner, a South West based farmer to hear their thoughts on how the Lib Dems can drive policy solutions for agriculture, housing and the broader environment.
Venue: The Pavilion Room, Grand Hotel
Speech: 14:20-15:30, Sir Ed Davey MP will be giving his Leader’s Speech to wrap up the Conference. He'll be expected to emphasise the opportunities and responsibilities that lie ahead in Parliament now that the Liberal Democrats have their highest number of seats to date.
Venue: Brighton Auditorium