On Thursday 16 April 2026, the Sustainable Economies Research Group (SERG) at UWE Bristol, hosted by Professor Peter Bradley, brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and students to explore a powerful idea: how bioregional thinking can help reshape our economies to better serve both people and planet.
Held at Bristol Business School, the half day event combined expert insights with participatory discussions, all centred on a simple but transformative premise – humans are part of nature and our economies should function in balance with the living systems we depend on. Around 50 delegates attended, travelling from as far afield as Devon and York, representing organisations including the Institution of Environmental Sciences, Bioregional Learning Centre, University of Bath, University of York, London Metropolitan University, Bioregional Solent Library and Royal Wootton Bassett Environmental Trust.
The morning sessions examined bioregionalism from multiple perspectives. Speakers explored how place-based approaches can foster environmental leadership, strengthen communities and create more resilient local economies. From ecosystem services to regional energy systems, the message was consistent: aligning economic activity with ecological realities offers a pathway to a fairer and more environmentally sustainable future.
Sue Riddlestone OBE, Chief Executive and Co-founder of Bioregional, highlighted both the urgency and opportunity of this shift:
“Our global economy is creaking, and not delivering for the majority of people, which is leading to populism and unrest even in the UK, astonishing when we are one of the richest nations in the world. It was so refreshing to explore together in a very practical way our collective experiences, of how a bioregional approach could deliver a sustainable economy which works for people and planet.”
Building on this, practitioner perspectives grounded the conversation in real world application. Paul Pivcevic, Director at Wylderne, shared insights from his work in the Forest of Dean. Reflecting on the evolving role of business within a bioregional context Paul posed the question:
“What role does a business aspiring to be regenerative have in relation to place? In our case the Forest of Dean bioregion. What can we uniquely contribute to unfolding the potential of this wider system we’re nested within?”
After a networking lunch, the focus shifted to interactive group sessions, where participants explored practical challenges and opportunities for advancing bioregional approaches.
Financing bioregional projects
One focus group examined the complexities of funding bioregional initiatives. Discussions highlighted the importance of understanding the full “spectrum of capital” from philanthropic grants and public funding to impact investment, ESG funds and traditional finance.
Participants explored blended finance models and innovative mechanisms such as Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to attract diverse investment streams. There was also strong interest in engaging local investors through tools like community bonds, as well as tapping into stakeholders who benefit directly from regional outcomes such as water companies or flood risk management bodies.
The group noted that framing projects as “place based” may sometimes resonate more strongly with investors than the term “bioregional.” Ultimately, success will depend on designing projects that clearly demonstrate both financial viability and the added value of working in harmony with regional ecological systems.
Bioregionalism in governance
The second focus group explored how bioregional thinking might reshape governance. A central challenge identified was how to define meaningful boundaries. While larger scales may better reflect whole ecosystems, they can feel too abstract at a local level. Participants suggested that boundaries should be understood as flexible or “fuzzy”, reflecting the complexity of natural systems and allowing for different scales depending on context.
Shifting away from fixed political boundaries presents practical and cultural challenges, particularly where existing administrative systems are deeply embedded. However, participants noted that in some cases a place based, nature led approach could actually simplify governance by connecting fragmented jurisdictions, as seen in regions like the Severn Estuary which spans multiple authorities and national borders.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of reconnecting governance with people’s lived experience of place. This may involve learning from cultures and communities with stronger relationships to land and local systems, as well as recognising the knowledge and connections held within long established local communities.
A recurring theme was the idea of belonging. Participants reflected on a growing desire to reconnect with both nature and place, and suggested that bioregionalism could offer an inclusive way to channel this into more grounded and responsive forms of governance that reflect both ecological and social realities.
The event closed with a shared sense that while bioregionalism is still an emerging framework that offers a practical and hopeful direction for rethinking how economies operate at a local level.
Reflecting on the event Professor Bradley said:
“What stood out across both practitioners and academics in attendance was the level of engagement and the willingness to explore practical ways of applying these ideas.”
“Many participants I spoke with saw real value in bioregional thinking as a way to engage communities, support more sustainable patterns of production and consumption and build resilience in the face of economic and environmental uncertainty. Its strength lies not only in environmental outcomes, but in the wider benefits it can bring to people, place and wellbeing.”
The SERG research group is keen to build on this momentum. Plans are underway to host follow up events and establish an ongoing discussion group, creating space for continued collaboration, knowledge sharing and action.
This event demonstrated that the transition to a sustainable economy isn’t just about new technologies or policies – it’s about reimagining our relationship with place and working together to bring that vision to life via collaboration and community, step by step but with a sense of urgency and the need for resilience.
You can view the slides from the presentations here.
If you would like to find out more about this work, please contact Professor Peter Bradley.
