The Environmental Services & Solutions Expo (ESS) 2025 brought together seven major shows for the first time, marking its largest edition yet and reinforcing its role as a central platform for climate and sustainability professionals. Hosted at the NEC Birmingham, the event featured more than 720 exhibitors, over 450 speakers, and drew tens of thousands of attendees from across the environmental sector.
Policy Announcements and Sector Guidance
One of the most significant policy updates came from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which confirmed that the UK Government will publish a new carbon budget and delivery plan next month. The plan, developed with Whitehall departments and the Circular Economy Taskforce, will support emissions reduction, economic growth, and lower consumer costs.
Meanwhile, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) unveiled its latest policy paper, “Let’s Not Waste the Next Four Years”, setting out recommendations to government and industry on building a resource-efficient, circular economy.
Industry Innovation and Technology
The exhibition floor saw numerous innovations launched, including:
- NTM-GB unveiled the Mini-MAS, a compact food waste collection vehicle designed for urban routes, improving hygiene and efficiency.
- Clearpoint Recycling introduced its Certified Broker Scheme to support independent brokers navigating volatile recycling markets, strengthening supply chain resilience.
- Bradshaw Electric Vehicles showcased sustainable street-cleaning solutions, including the Glutton H₂O Perfect, reflecting growing demand for zero-emission municipal vehicles.
Climate, Circularity, and Global Perspectives
Sessions throughout ESS 2025 tackled urgent environmental themes. Highlights included:
- Climate adaptation: Experts from councils, rail, and the Environment Agency warned the UK is not fully prepared for a 2°C warmer world, urging stronger regulation and investment in resilience.
- Circular economy: London’s strategy for becoming a “Circular Capital” by 2040 was shared by the Greater London Authority, alongside packaging-focused sessions exploring deposit return schemes and extended producer responsibility policies.
- Geopolitics and sustainability: A case study on Ukraine demonstrated how conflict and recovery intersect with energy resilience and net-zero ambitions.
- Women in sustainability: A panel on female leadership in the environmental sector drew one of the largest audiences, underlining the importance of representation and mentorship.
Awards and Recognition
The Environmental Monitoring Awards celebrated achievements in air and water quality innovation. Winners included Xylem Water Solutions UK, StormHarvester, and EarthSense, among others. Their work highlighted how monitoring and data-driven approaches are central to delivering regulatory compliance, investment planning, and healthier communities.
