The Environmental Industries Commission (EIC) has launched a new webinar series, Green Data.

Replacing the physical Green Data conference, which usually takes place in London during the winter, these free-to-attend online events will focus on COVID-19's impact on environmental data management, innovation and green economic recovery and environmental data and future of planning.

Joining EIC and sponsor the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) will be a range of experts and high-level speakers who will share their insight around the key topics. Thanks to NERC’s generous support, tickets are free to members and non-members alike.

14 December 2020 at 2.00pm: COVID-19’s impact on environmental data management 
The pandemic has led to an urgent need to analyse, use and combine different data sets to gain a rapid understanding the spread and impact of the virus, and its impact on a breadth of social and environmental factors. This has created both challenges and opportunities for the way we manage and use environmental data.

Featuring: Simon Gardner (NERC), Dr Kevin Turpin (Jacobs), Nigel Jones (Extrium), Sarah Pyatt (Mott MacDonald) and Dr Andrew Engeli (Department of Health and Social Care).

14 January 2021 at 12pm: Innovation and a green economic recovery
With an ambitious environmental agenda, and bold aspirations for a green recovery, how can we nurture and support innovation in the environmental business sector to create the 'green jobs' we need? How can the public sector and environmental businesses work together to create the right framework for innovation? 

Featuring: Chris Fry (Accelar Ltd), Jennifer Jennings (NERC), Katie Mills (Schneider Electric) and Mark Penny (Energy Solutions UK).

24 February 2021 at 12pm: Environmental data and the future of planning
A data-driven planning system is essential if we are to meet expectations for a simpler planning process that will boost post-pandemic growth and better reflect local community aspirations. What role for environmental data and how can it be integrated holistically into the UK's new Geospatial Strategy?

Featuring: Suki Coe (Jacobs), James Harris (RTPI) and Piers Edgell (Landmark Information).

Commenting on the new webinar series, Matthew Farrow, Director of Policy at EIC said: “Of course we would have preferred to build on the success of previous editions of the Green Data Conference and meet in person, but given the circumstances this is a great way to keep the conversation going.”

“As shown by the breadth of the programme we have put forward, environmental data’s importance is increasing. The pandemic has changed the ways in which data is analysed and used across the public sector. Furthermore, the role of green data in helping both the COVID response and the longer term growth agendas – for example around building back better and planning reform – will affect many companies in the sector."