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As the Prime Minister outlines a new plan on how to improve the natural environment, techUK launches a call for evidence to explore how green tech can support its...

Yesterday’s 25 year Environment Plan sets out an ambition for the UK to be at the forefront of global efforts to protect and improve the natural world, and to drive the international community to adopt higher standards.

The plan focuses on six areas – land management, recovering na

ture, connecting people to the environment, resource efficiency and reduction of pollution and waste, oceans and the global environment - and each have supporting policies and plans.

The tech sector is well placed to support the delivery of the vision within the plan. We will be running a call for evidence until the 28 February, seeking views from our members on how the existing and new tech can be effectively deployed across these areas and following our 2017 report, which was endorsed by the Climate Change Minister, looking at how technology can support the Clean Growth Strategy.

techUK’s call for evidence explores the opportunities that tech can play in supporting this vision. Specifically we are interested to hear from members on the following questions:

• How can smart tech deployment in infrastructure networks be sped up to ensure ‘net gains’ in new developments projects?
• Which technologies can be deployed to help manage and gain insight into the quality of soil, water, air and biodiversity both here and overseas?
• What is the role of technology in helping people understand the importance of the environment?
• How can technology support more sustainable supply chains?
• How can technology support the better tracking and monitoring of waste and material as it moves through our economy?

Do let us know if you can think you can answer any of these questions or if your business is well placed to play a role.

techUK will also be working with members to explore the implications of other plans announced yesterday. A new Waste and Resources Strategy this year will seek to reform producer responsibility systems – which currently covers electronics, batteries and packaging – to incentivise producers to design better products. A new Chemical Strategy is also pledged which will explore how chemicals can be better tracked in products. Get in touch if you want to get involved.