UKWIR provides evidence for the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee Nitrogen Inquiry

Published On 14/03/2025

UKWIR provides evidence for the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee Nitrogen Inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee, chaired by Baroness Sheehan, has launched an inquiry into efficient nitrogen use. UKWIR CEO, Mike Rose, was invited to provide evidence as an expert witness, supporting the work of the inquiry by highlighting the essential research underway in this space in collaboration with UKWIR’s members.

The inquiry, which is ongoing, seeks to gather evidence and a broad range of sector insights into the efficient use and management of reactive nitrogen. It will seek to understand how excess reactive nitrogen could be captured and re-used and potential solutions for reducing nitrogen pollution. It will consider the coordination of Government policy on nitrogen across departments and how the Government could take a more holistic and strategic approach.

In advance of the session, Rose held meetings to gather insights and perspectives from UKWIR’s members and technical experts, including Severn Trent’s Mark Craig (UKWIR’s Wastewater Programme Lead) and Thames Water’s Rob Naylor (UKWIR’s Circular Economy Co-Programme Lead).

It was a constructive, evidence-driven session, with Rose sat on a panel alongside David Johnson, Technical Director at The Rivers Trust, and Pär Larshans, Sustainability Director at Ragn-Sells, who provided rich perspectives on river health and EU Nitrogen programmes respectively.

Key points from the discussion included:

• The need for a holistic, systems approach to reducing pollution, in collaboration with farmers and industry

• Opportunities and innovations in wastewater treatment technologies to improve the removal and recovery of Nitrogen

• The role that upstream catchment solutions and bioresources play in the nitrogen cycle

• Insights on the comparative regulatory direction of EU and English & Welsh regulation

UKWIR is pleased to continue its work in supporting the industry through providing the latest evidence and best-practice for informing effective decision-making.

To find out more about the inquiry, head to: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/515/environment-and-climate-change-committee/news/205099/environment-and-climate-change-committee-launches-new-inquiry-into-nitrogen/