The Welsh Government has delivered numerous ambitious environmental policies since devolution 25 years ago. However, with Welsh Ministers facing challenges from a centralised Westminster Government and a public backlash on key reforms, does Wales currently represent a leading light or a cautionary tale on the environment?

In recent years there’s been a marked shift in the general tone of campaigning from one of outrage to one of disgust.

From confronting videos that show fish eaten alive by sea-lice in intensive farming conditions, to campaigns in Europe that have seen physical excrement used as ink in letters to politicians looking to end pollution in rivers, we’re seeing a rise in gross out comms.

In her time at Seahorse, Costanza Poggi, Managing Director has seen a fair few coalitions come together to build effective campaigns and win significant policy changes. In our latest insight, she reveals her coalition ‘must haves’ for success.

Seahorse Founder and Chair, Isabella Gornall, has been listed in PR Week’s Power Book 2024 and has also been included in their list of top 10 ‘Environmental Comms Champions’.

2024 is set to be a big year in politics. For those seeking policy change and political influence, the period up to an election can be a challenge. With January being a busy month for environmental policy developments, Account Director Sarah Whitebread gives us a stock take and lessons learned for advocacy over the next few months.

Account Manager Matt Dawson, who works across many of our water/ocean accounts, explores what this means at sea, where the Government is looking to navigate the choppy waters of marine protection, renewable power infrastructure, and the demands of existing sea users.

Even before the historic by-election results, party conference season and ‘cost of net zero’ speech from the Prime Minister, there was a sense that the parties were pivoting to ‘general election’ mode. Momentum on policy design has lost ground to sound bite commitments that will get cut through on the doorstep. However, with reports that an election could arrive as late as winter 2024/2025, there’s a real risk of stalling progress on critical decarbonisation and nature issues. Taking a temperature check on the parties and sense checking how messaging aligns with party direction is key to making the most of the next twelve months.

This weekend marks the final of this year’s party conferences as everyone gears up to assemble in Liverpool for Labour. As we head into the final conference before a general election, all eyes are on Keir Starmer to set out the party’s priorities for the next few months.

With the autumn conference season now well underway, next is the Conservative Party’s turn in Manchester. Taking place on 1-4 October, the agenda is full to the brim with environment-related events. The run-up to the next general election is likely to see wedge issues such as new oil and gas investment and water pollution become increasingly influential. In the wake of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcements last week about the watering-down of certain green policies, conference this year is certain to be an opportunity for heated discussion and debate.

Bournemouth 2023 marks the first in-person Autumn conference for the Liberal Democrats in four years and is also likely to be the last Autumn conference before a Westminster general election. With the environment high up the Lib Dems agenda and wedge issues such as sewage pollution and nature protection becoming defining campaign issues for the party, conference this year will no doubt be a place for lively discussion and insightful analysis of the political landscape.

Of all the lessons I learnt during my time as a journalist, one stands out most: an appreciation of the power communication holds. This inevitably works both ways: good communication is as valuable as bad communication is detrimental.

Today’s speech from Keir Starmer was the first step in demonstrating there’s policy substance to the claims that the Labour party will bring climate and industrial strategy together.

As we move towards the publication of Labour’s election manifesto, the Party’s general silence on nature protection – and its particular silence on marine issues – is notable…

March had green economy experts knee-deep in a deluge of reports, announcements and consultations. Here’s our one-stop-shop of everything you need to know right now…

Seahorse Founder and Managing Director, Isabella Gornall, has been listed in PR Week’s Power Book 2023 - ‘The definitive guide to the brightest and most influential PR professionals in Britain’.

With two months of 2023 behind us, this year is shaping up to be a busy one across the ESG and sustainability landscape and there’s a great deal of activity to keep on top of. Here’s our summary of everything you need to know right now.

Our thoughts on Davos, other ESG news from January, and looking ahead to the rest of 2023. While the ESG acronym is very much still under attack, it looks like its grip on our economies and institutions is here to stay…

On 9 January 2023, the APPG on Sustainable Finance launched its ‘Introductory Guide to Green Finance’. Co-written by Seahorse Environmental and the Green Finance Institute, the Guide sets out in layperson’s terms the key topics in sustainable finance…

Chloe George joins Seahorse to lead their new, dedicated ESG and Corporate Sustainability practice. Chloe has ten years' experience in ESG, sustainability and communications working in the telecomms, financial services and energy sectors. Prior to Seahorse, Chloe was Head of ESG Strategy and Engagement at BT Group, and before that worked at Barclays in both their Corporate Communications and Citizenship & Sustainability teams, and has an MSc in Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability.