Press Page – IENE 2026 Conference
21–25 September 2026 – UWE Bristol, UK
Theme: The Value of Nature in Resilient Infrastructure
Celebrating 30 Years of Harmonising Transportation and Nature
Global infrastructure and nature leaders
to gather in Bristol for IENE 2026
The internationally recognised IENE 2026 Conference will take place in Bristol from 21–25 September 2026, bringing together global experts to explore how nature and infrastructure can work together to deliver resilience, connectivity and long‑term value.
Hosted at UWE Bristol, this milestone edition marks 30 years of Infrastructure & Ecology Network Europe (IENE) conferences and centres on the theme “The Value of Nature in Resilient Infrastructure.”
The event will convene engineers, ecologists, policymakers, infrastructure operators, academics, investors and practitioners to address a defining challenge of our time:
How do we design and deliver infrastructure systems that work in harmony with nature?
IENE 2026 will focus on how infrastructure can be planned, delivered and managed to work with nature rather than against it, through four strategic themes.
The Value of Nature
Placing ecological and social value at the heart of infrastructure decision-making, and critically assessing investment, valuation and nature-based approaches.
Resilience Through Nature
Strengthening climate resilience by working with ecosystem processes, while recognising ecological limits, thresholds and risks of maladaptation.
Pace over Perfection
Scaling proven solutions to reduce fragmentation and severance at landscape and network scales, balancing urgency with ecological integrity.
Creating Actionable Knowledge
Utilising foundational knowledge to address ecological severance at a landscape scale, supporting more connected habitats and informed restoration planning.
Why This Matters:
A Critical Moment for Infrastructure & Nature
As climate change and biodiversity loss intensify, infrastructure networks are facing increasing physical, operational and financial pressures. IENE 2026 explores how ecological connectivity, nature‑based solutions and long‑term planning can strengthen infrastructure resilience and support sustainable mobility, energy, and economic performance. Healthy, functioning ecosystems are not an “add‑on” - they are fundamental to resilient infrastructure.
IENE 2026 is part of a global shift toward infrastructure that is:
- Nature‑positive
- Climate‑resilient
- Evidence‑driven
- Economically sustainable
- Connected at the landscape scale
By bringing together disciplines, sectors and geographies, the Bristol conference will help accelerate the transition towards infrastructure systems that deliver for people, wildlife and the economy.
The 2026 programme
- International keynote speakers
- Expert panels and debates
- Hands‑on workshops and technical training
- Field excursions across the South West
- Real‑world case studies
- Poster sessions & research showcases
- Cross‑sector networking opportunities
Content will span engineering, ecology, finance, planning, governance, climate resilience, landscape‑scale design, and cutting‑edge research on transport‑nature interactions.
The full programme is due to be released in June and there is currently a live call for submissions of abstracts and proposed session for the conference - deadline for submissions is Friday 24th April.
Click to find out more about submitting an abstract.
About IENE
Infrastructure & Ecology Network Europe (IENE) is a global community of researchers, practitioners and authorities dedicated to improving the sustainability of transport and infrastructure.
Every two years, IENE hosts an international conference that provides an interdisciplinary forum for:
- Knowledge exchange
- Research presentation
- Policy dialogue
- Technical training
- Field‑based learning
Conferences attract participants from across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania.
Press Quotes
“IENE 2026 is about re‑centering nature as a foundational element of resilient, future‑proof infrastructure. It brings together expertise from across Europe to explore not only what is technically possible, but what is ecologically necessary.” - Conference Organising Committee
"Infrastructure shapes our landscapes, our communities, and the health of our natural environment for generations to come. IENE 2026 comes at a critical moment — as we face the twin challenges of climate change and nature recovery, we must move beyond treating nature as an afterthought in infrastructure planning and recognise it as the very foundation on which resilient systems are built. Natural England is proud to support this conversation. By bringing together the best ecological evidence, innovative financing approaches, and a genuine commitment to working within ecological limits, we have an opportunity to demonstrate that infrastructure which works with nature is not just better for wildlife — it is better for people, for the economy, and for the long-term resilience of the networks we all depend on. Bristol 2026 is an important next step in making that vision a reality." - Tony Juniper OBE, Chair Natural England
"Its so great that IENE is coming to the UK this year in its 30th anniversary. This conference will bring together world experts in the infrastructure and ecology worlds under one roof to discuss pressure issues related to infrastructure resilience, the value of nature and nature restoration." - Ben Hewlett, Senior Environmental Advisor, National Highways
"We're very excited to help welcome IENE 2026 to the Bristol region. We have recognised that wildlife mobility is a major part of restoring nature at scale and hope this conference will shine a light on our regional priority program Mobilising Nature." - Matthew Lipton, Mobilising Nature Programme Lead, South Gloucestershire Council
Media Assets
- Official IENE 2026 Press Release (PDF)
- Conference branding & logo pack
- Previous IENE conference highlights
Media FAQs
What is the goal of IENE 2026?
To explore how ecological and social values can shape the future of infrastructure, ensuring systems are resilient, nature‑positive, and aligned with climate and biodiversity goals.
Who attends IENE conferences?
Infrastructure planners, transport agencies, ecologists, engineers, academics, NGOs, businesses, and policymakers from across the world.
Why is nature so central to the 2026 theme?
Healthy ecosystems reduce climate risks, increase resilience, and create cost‑effective solutions for transportation safety, flooding, heat impacts, and long‑term infrastructure performance.
Will there be field trips?
Yes. As with all IENE conferences, there will be excursions showcasing local best practice in ecological mitigation, connectivity, and nature‑based infrastructure solutions.
Can journalists attend?
Yes. Accredited members of the media can register for complimentary access. Press passes will be available on request.
Media FAQs
Press office requests, interview bookings, speaker quotes, and accreditation queries are welcomed.
Email: contact@iene2026.info
Visit the official website homepage: https://www.iene2026.info/
IENE Special Issue
IENE is preparing its next Special Issue on Infrastructure and Ecology with the journal of Nature Conservation, Pensoft Publishers
The Special issue will feature the themes discussed at the IENE 2024 (https://www.iene2024.info/) and IENE 2026, but also welcome papers on related topics.
Please consider this opportunity when preparing and submitting your abstract - and stay tuned for the upcoming call!
(See our past issue: https://natureconservation.pensoft.net/issue/4449/)
Join the IENE network - Become a member
IENE 2026 Organisers
