Labour Party Conference 2026: The Top Energy and Environment Events
This weekend, party conference season moves north to Liverpool for a jam-packed Labour party get together, including a huge number of events covering the energy transition and nature restoration.
The Seahorse team will be in Liverpool alongside Labour parliamentarians, activists, businesses and NGOs for the conference, headed by popular new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his refreshed cabinet. The mood could not be more different to last year’s event, when polling found that a majority of members wanted Starmer gone before the next General Election.
The party, now leading in the polls, is looking to build on the “Burnham Bounce”; fleshing out what greater state control and devolution – the PM’s so-called ‘Manchesterism’- means in practice. Indeed, the Manchester link is evident in the fringe programme where 27 fringe events have a link to the city (either in topic or speakers); whereas only 5 have a link to its neighbour Leeds across the Pennines.
The Labour Climate and Environment Forum (LCEF) and SERA, Labour’s grassroots environment campaign, are both running busy programmes of climate, nature and energy events.
With the Energy Independence Bill expected to be published on Parliament’s return from recess, crucial decisions due on new North Sea oil and gas fields, and ongoing questions on whether Labour will set out a compelling vision for nature, there will be plenty for attendees to discuss. Below we’ve picked out some of the key events to have on your radar:
SUNDAY 27th SEPTEMBER
11:00: Return of the Wild: Species Reintroduction & the Future of Nature in Britain – Chester Zoo and Rewilding Britain
Venue: Arena Room Tyne, Convention Centre at Liverpool Experience Campus
Description: Nature experts and political leaders discuss how species reintroductions are restoring ecosystems and inspiring communities, from wild beavers to white-tailed eagles.
12:45: Who controls our water? – LCEF and Good Growth Foundation
Venue: LCEF Hub, Convention Centre at Liverpool Experience Campus
Description: This event provides perspectives on water industry reform from Seahorse client River Action and think tank Good Growth Foundation. MP speakers will include key Labour voices on water, Helena Dollimore MP and Treasury PPS Yuan Yang MP.
16:45: Cost of Living Populism: Is it a Route to Success for Labour? – LCEF and Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Venue: LCEF Hub, Convention Centre at Liverpool Experience Campus
Description: Speakers on this panel include Polly Billington, Minister for Energy Consumers, Luke Murphy MP, and key figures outside government in More in Common’s Luke Tryl and the New Statesman’s Megan Kenyon.
19:00: The Power of Solar: Drinks Reception: LCEF and Island Green Power
Venue: LCEF Hub, Convention Centre at Liverpool Experience Campus
Description: LCEF and solar developer Island Green Power host a reception to launch a collection of essays on the benefits of solar for bills, nature and national security. Energy Minister Michael Shanks will be giving a speech.
20:30: The Coastal PLP Reception: The Coastal PLP, PASC, RenewableUK, Labour Coast & Country
Venue: Riverside Balcony, Convention Centre at Liverpool Experience Campus
Description: The Coastal PLP hosts its annual coastal reception. The event will also mark an opportunity to commemorate the legacy of Hywel Lloyd, the Chair of Labour Coast & Country who sadly died unexpectedly in August. Former Chair of the Coastal PLP, Minister for Energy Consumers Polly Billington, will be in attendance.
MONDAY 28th SEPTEMBER
08:00: The Future Homes & Skills Fringe: Can We Future-Proof 1.5 Million Homes Without Bridging the Skills Gap? – Future Homes, Skills and Innovation APPG
Venue: Theatre 2 @The Deck
Description: A panel discussion examining the construction and retrofit skills shortage. Chaired by Margaret Mullane MP, speakers included Paul Dennett (Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester), Sally Orlopp (CEO, Centrepoint), Gill Morris (Founder, Devo Agency) and Luke Maynard (Head of Policy and Communications, City & Guilds).
09:45: Breakfast Roundtable with Minister for Energy Consumers Polly Billington and MPs, Seahorse Communications
Description: Join think tanks, businesses, charities and MPs for an invite-only breakfast discussion. As the Energy Independence Bill and Budget make their way through Parliament this autumn, this is an important opportunity to hear from voices across the sector about the change needed to support consumers and lower energy bills. Contact info@seahorsecomms.co.uk for venue details.
09:45: Our Future, Built Here: The Local Benefits of the Energy Transition – LCEF and ScottishPower
Venue: LCEF Hub, Convention Centre at Liverpool Experience Campus
Description: LCEF and Scottish power convene a discussion about the jobs and skills opportunities of the energy transition.
13:30: Have You Got the Bottle? How a New Soft Drinks Return Scheme Will Cut Litter & Boost Recycling – British Soft Drinks Association and Good Growth Foundation
Venue: Arena Room Dee, Convention Centre at Liverpool Experience Campus
Description: With the Deposit Return Scheme set to launch in 2027, this panel will explore what the DRS means for litter reduction, recycling rates, and keeping vital materials in the UK. Circular Economy Minister Emma Hardy is joined by Seahorse client Reloop’s CEO Clarissa Morawski, alongside Sam Jones (Director – Public Affairs and Sustainability, Coca Cola) and Andy Bagnall (Director General, BSDA).
14:00: Rosebank & Beyond: Why Labour Must Hold the Line on North Sea Oil & Gas – SERA and Uplift
Venue: Liverpool Quaker Meeting House
Description: Panellists will discuss economic resilience, energy security, and the UK’s climate leadership, exploring how the clean energy transition can deliver for communities, workers and good growth.
14:00: Clean Air, Healthier Lives: How Can We Tackle the Unequal Impact of Air Pollution? – The New Statesman and Healthy Air Coalition
Venue: Meeting Room 11B, Convention Centre at Liverpool Experience Campus
Description: Drawing on new research showing the impact of air pollution on rural areas, this panel will bring together political, health, environmental, and community voices to explore how clean air can be put firmly on the national agenda, and what a modern approach to tackling air pollution should look like.
15:30: From the frontlines: The campaign for public ownership of water – SERA, Compass, Surfers Against Sewage
Venue: Liverpool Quaker Meeting House
Description: This panel, chaired by SERA and River Action’s Christian Fuller, features major voices in the campaign for nationalisation including Clive Lewis MP and Compass’s Lena Swedlow. The session also offers a union perspective on the water industry from GMB.
17:30: What does a devolution-focused government mean for the Warm Homes Plan? – LCEF and Warmworks
Venue: LCEF Hub, Convention Centre at Liverpool Experience Campus
Description: Chaired by DESNZ PPS Jeevun Sandher, this panel also features Local Energy Minister Martin McCluskey and Deputy Mayor of London Mete Coban.
18:15: How can Labour tackle Britain’s cost of living crisis? – More in Common, Resolution Foundation, E.ON
Venue: Progress Hub, Convention Centre at Liverpool Experience Campus
Description: Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh may join this event, which will use new polling to explore what support on the cost-of-living crisis would resonate most with the electorate.
18:45: Are we ready for climate change? Protecting people, places and prosperity – Fabian Society
Venue: Bluecoat
Description: Panel discussion exploring the action needed to build resilience across the economy, infrastructure, workplaces and communities. Speakers include Tessa Khan (environmental lawyer and activist), Cllr John Gray (Deputy Mayor, Newham Council and Vice Chair, Local Authority Pensions Fund Forum), and Sue Ferns (Deputy General Secretary, Prospect Union).
19:00 LCEF x ADE Reception - LCEF and ADE
Venue: LCEF Hub, Convention Centre at Liverpool Experience Campus
Description: These invite-only drinks will feature speeches by Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, Environment Secretary Angela Eagle, and LCEF’s Director Paul McNamee.
TUESDAY 29th SEPTEMBER
08:00: Dip at the Docks – Paddle UK, Surfers Against Sewage and Swim England
Venue: Liverpool Watersports Centre
Description: Start the day with a refreshing swim in the docks, followed by a coffee and a pastry. A towel and swimwear will be needed, wetsuits, hairdryers and changing facilities are available at the centre.
09:30: Nature in every postcode: What does the Makerfield Test mean for our environment – SERA, Campaign for National Parks, National Trust, The Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust
Venue: Liverpool Quaker Meeting House
Description: Chaired by Steph Spyro (Daily Express), this panel will examine inequalities in access to nature, and how to move decisions about nature closer to local communities. Speakers include Rose McNeill (Campaign for National Parks), Adam Royle (National Trust) and James Cooper (Woodland Trust).
11:00: Planning for People & Nature: How Labour must make nature part of good development – SERA, Mott MacDonald & CIEEM
Venue: Labour Quaker Meeting House
Description: Barry Gardiner MP chairs a discussion with Julia Baker (Mott MacDonald), Bill Eyres (SERA) and Ben Kite (CIEEM), to explore how nature can be placed at the heart of the government’s agenda on planning to deliver faster, fairer and better developments for nature, people and places.
11:30: Financing England’s river corridors: Unlocking public and private investment for nature – Riverscapes partnership
Venue: Global City Theatre, Museum of Liverpool
Description: A panel discussion on how river corridors can unlock blended and private finance models to tackle some of our biggest environmental threats. The discussion will be chaired by Niki Roach, host of the Planet Possible Podcast.
12:30: Retrofit Revolution: The future of housing and energy – Fabian Society
Venue: Bluecoat
Description: Minister for Local Energy and Jobs Martin McCluskey MP joins Becky Ritchie (Clarion Housing), Neil Freshwater (Velux) and Palma Oxley (Fabian Housing Centre) to discuss what is needed to unlock the full potential of UK energy infrastructure: expanding capacity, connecting renewables, investing in storage, and supporting rising demand.
15:30: Labour’s winning edge: Restoring nature, delivering for people – SERA, Campaign for National Parks, CIEEM, Mott MacDonald, The Wildlife Trusts
Venue: Liverpool Quaker Meeting House
Description: A panel discussion on why nature restoration matters to communities, and how restoration can be delivered. Chaired by Chris Hinchliff MP, with Craig Bennett (Wildlife Trusts), Ruth Bradshaw (Campaign for National Parks), Ben Kite (CIEEM) and Julia Baker (Mott MacDonald).
17:00: The sustainable transport devolution revolution: Why the sustainable modes together are more than the sum of their parts – the Sustainable Transport Alliance
Venue: Albert Suite 4, Hilton Liverpool City Centre
Description: Richard Dilks (Chief Exec, Collaborative Mobility UK), chairs a conversation on how sustainable transport modes can deliver on climate and the cost of living, and how it can be achieved through devolution.
20:00: Green Groups Reception – Canal & River Trust, Chester Zoo, ClientEarth, Green Alliance, Greenpeace, National Trust, RSPB, Uplift, Woodland Trust, WWF
Venue: Suite 3/4/5, Leonardo Hotel
Description: A joint reception between green groups spanning the climate and nature space. All are welcome to attend.
20:00: Future Leaders Reception – Young SERA and the Labour Staffers Environment Network
Venue: Nova Scotia Café Bar
Description: This reception is aimed at young people involved in the labour and environmental movements. Speeches will by given by Water Minister Emma Hardy, and MPs Anna Gelderd, Mike Reader, and Perran Moon.