Day One
Big Zero Lectures
The lectures are short TED-talk style sessions where a range of industry leading speakers will inspire and challenge your thinking. This year we have an amazing array of subjects covered from EVs to religion! And our headline speaker is the Rt Hon Chris Skidmore.
Sumit Bose - future net zero
Welcome Session
Join our welcome session with Sumit Bose, Founder of future net zero.
Rt Hon Chris Skidmore OBE
Net Zero: 5 Years On
The man who wrote net zero into law and authored the Mission Zero report gives us his insight into the UK's efforts so far.
Julia Hailes
System Change, Not Climate Change
Julia Hailes has been at the forefront of sustainability for 40 years. The author of The Green Consumer Guide, she has dedicated her life to engaging with businesses to produce more sustainable products. She gives her assessment of what businesses have done right and wrong over the last three decades and what we need to do now to ensure actual change.
Nick Molden - Emissions Analytics Ltd
How We Can Actually Achieve Net Zero Transport, Not Just Officially
This session will give an overview of different technology paths to net zero, why zero emission vehicles are a myth, the importance of cost and timing and how to avoid another Dieselgate.
Vicky Pryce - The Centre for Economics and Business Research
Go Zero To Get Cash
Leading economist and author Vicky Pryce explains why your ESG credibility will soon be vital when it comes to raising investment or even trading. She will guide you through the policy landscape in the short term and why your financial models and forecasts will have to include your ambitions about emissions reduction.
Michael Pollitt - University of Cambridge
Can Religion Be The Secret Weapon In The Fight To Cut Emissions?
A fascinating session from professor Michael Pollitt of Cambridge Judge Business School who has done a study into the power of religious messaging and whether we could use this globally to speed up the net zero transition.
Jo Robinson - Equity Energies
Does Net Zero have a language barrier?
Jo talks about the communications challenges that can hamper Net Zero progress, from spoken and written word to body language and beyond. She discusses the barriers that often exist between different roles and functions within an organisation, which can have varied levels of understanding, and misaligned expectations, related to energy strategy and the pathway to Net Zero. Can encouraging more people to ‘learn the language of Net Zero’ inspire greater progress? And are there other ways of sharing knowledge and aiding understanding that can bring positive change?
Angela Hepworth - Drax
What role do carbon removals have to play in net zero?
Angela explores the role of carbon removals in hitting net zero and how Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage can contribute.
Jamie Elliott - West Midlands Combined Authority
Local Authorities And Their Key Role In Net Zero
Join Dr. Jamie Elliott from the West Midlands Combined Authority as he explains how the role of local authorities will be paramount on the road to 2050. Dr. Elliott will explore how engaging with local authorities will be vital for both businesses and the wider energy sector as we implement net zero technologies.
Tim Delport - Rendesco
The Future Of Heating
Tim Delport talks about where heating is heading and what that looks like and means for the domestic and commercial consumers of the country. He will cover the benefits for the transition to net zero, infrastructure aspects and responsibilities.
Simon Manley - UNDO
Enhanced Rock Weathering, A Community-Based Carbon Removal Solution Helping Businesses Achieve Net Zero
All businesses planning their net zero journey should be engaging with carbon removal solutions now. If they don't, what is an opportunity today will become a problem tomorrow as high quality supply gets claimed. Enhanced rock weathering (ERW), UNDO's high value, permanent, nature-enabled approach, is ready to scale and comes with a wealth of socio-economic and agricultural benefits for rural communities. This talk will explain how ERW works and how it can be incorporated into organisations' carbon management plans.
Pathway to Net Zero
The pathway presentations cover case studies, methodologies and advice from your peers working in the energy, sustainability and ESG sector. They have faced the challenges you do and have the answers you need. There is an opportunity to ask questions in some of the sessions.
Ollie Rosevear - Fuller, Smith and Turner
Decarbonising the customer journey on the road to Net Zero
The session will explore Fullers roadmap to Net Zero and the importance of taking customers on the journey. It will focus on Fullers approach to encouraging the use of Electric Vehicles when travel to our Hotels and Pubs.
Tom Maidment - Hilton Foods
On Land And At Sea: Tackling Emissions In The Livestock Sector
Food production accounts for around 30% of global emissions and is a key part of many companies' supply chain. But this highly dispersed sector poses a unique challenge for decarbonisation as the majority of those emissions come from biological processes. In this session Tom will talk about the steps businesses can take to reduce emissions in this difficult to abate sector without impacting food security.
Rebecca Howard - Coventry Building Society
Net Zero Into Action
This session is about how Coventry Building Society has involved stakeholders in determining ESG priorities, communications and initiatives. It will focus on net zero and greenhouse gas emissions but will also address travel, waste management, diversity & inclusion, social value, community initiatives and supplier payment practices. The presentation will demonstrate how effective inter-organisational collaboration enables acceleration towards a net zero future.
Vijay Chouhan - Virgin Media O2
Virgin Media O2’s Pathway to Net Zero
Join Vijay Chouhan for an enlightening session as he delves into Virgin Media O2's ambitious journey towards achieving net zero emissions. Discover the innovative strategies, collaborative efforts and transformative technologies propelling Virgin Media O2 towards a sustainable future.
Fitzroy Hutchinson - The Celtic Collection
The Celtic Collection: 30 Years Of Net Zero Success
Over two decades, our commitment to sustainability has been unwavering. This session will provide an overview of where we are currently and where we are looking to go. Low hanging fruit, to larger investment (BMS (linked to our booking system), LEDs, motors, pumps, heat pumps, de-gassing, biomass, hydrogen, green CHP, water management, sustainable maintenance and behavioural change creating a sustainable culture.
Bret Willers - Coventry City Council
Coventry - The role of local authorities in addressing climate change, carbon reduction and adapting to the inevitability of change
An outline of the activities of one of the UK’s leading authority’s working across Departments and in partnership with others in combatting climate change its causes and effects and adapting to the changes we are likely to face over the coming decades.
Wendy Cheeseman - NHS
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Journey To Net Zero
Join Wendy Cheeseman as she explores the challenges and opportunities pursuing the ambitious NHS carbon reduction targets and galvanising a workforce to action.
David Medori - 888 William Hill
Bringing Net Zero To Life
888 William Hill has an aggressive target to achieve Net Zero by 2035. David, who leads the Environmental Strategy will discuss the journey he has had to date from taking ownership and being accountable for the environment, focussing on emission reduction activities and to most recently setting and writing a full transitional plan. David will articulate the challenges, risks and opportunities to date with examples of practical key initiatives that have driven emissions down. This session will illustrate a clear path and plan to Net Zero while highlighting the necessity for collaboration with a wide variety of stakeholders as imperative to achieving Net Zero.
Lunch
Ola Bankole - London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Achieving And Sustaining A Net Zero Status For Your Organisation: The Key Elements
Net zero should not be considered as a destination but rather as a journey, one that continues beyond the target year. With this in mind the posture organisations must take on carbon reductions must be one that can be sustained into the future. This session provides insights into key elements organisations need in order to sustain their net zero journey while continuing to thrive in a competitive environment.
Matteo Deidda - Lloyds Banking Group
Lloyds Banking Group's Journey Towards 50% Reduction In Supply Chain Emissions By 2030
The session will cover Lloyds’ journey in setting a supply chain emissions reduction target and the group's approach to suppliers’ engagement via the Emerald Standard.
Fiona Edwards - JPA Workspaces
Net Zero Through Workspace Design
Up to 1.2million office desks and 1.8million still fit-for-task but simply out-of-fashion task chairs go to UK landfill every year. This results in the loss of potentially useful materials and resources, creating further emissions, pollution and nature degradation. With much of this redundant furniture then replaced with new items, the outcome is further carbon emissions, waste, pollution, nature degradation and finite resource depletion.
I’d like to share how a simple focus on SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production has helped our clients reduce furniture waste, carbon and pollution. This focus has also enabled clients to evidence sustainable procurement in action, generate baseline data for future carbon reduction and achieve significant budget savings.
Using furniture resources already in place or those we are about to buy for twice as long means we can reduce embodied carbon and costs by 50%, a good first step towards Net Zero.
Morgan Roberts - Sustainability West Midlands
Don’t Go It Alone: The Support Available For Putting Net Zero Into Action
Morgan works for Sustainability West Midlands (SWM), an independent not-for-profit organisation with 22+ years of presence in the region, expertise across the sustainability sector and a strong focus on stakeholder engagement. SWM utilises these features to make the region more sustainable, fairer and greener for all. In this presentation, Morgan will be giving practical, actionable advice on using support and collaboration to action your net zero goals. She will cover guidance on collaborating and creating partnerships for driving action, tips for finding and accessing the right support for you and will provide an overview of the net zero support currently available in the region, including the benefits of signing up to the West Midlands Net Zero Business Pledge, a free initiative delivered by SWM on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Guy Bradbury - Imerys
Imerys - An Energy Intensive User's Guide to Decarbonisation
As the world's leading supplier of speciality minerals for industry, Imerys has recognised the growing global demand for natural resources placing pressure on our planet, and the need for sustainable solutions as part of its commitments to decarbonise its operations.
We will look at some the renewable solutions that our business is targeting across our sites, and some of the challenges that an energy intensive industry faces to meet its ambitious mid-term objectives and targets.
Dr Bahareh Salehi - Mott MacDonald
Navigating Toward NetZero: Mott MacDonald’s Journey
Global energy consumption presents a pressing challenge that demands immediate action from societies and governments, especially considering that 40% of it is linked to building energy consumption. At Mott MacDonald, we are committed to taking bold and innovative approaches to reduce energy consumption within buildings. Our NetZero journey has been characterized by significant progress, and we have developed a comprehensive strategy that we will discuss in detail during this session. If you are intrigued by Mott’s journey to NetZero and the groundbreaking methods we are using, do not hesitate to let me know.
For additional context, Mott MacDonald has developed net-zero route-maps not only for our own organization but also for clients within the water, transport, energy, and environment sector. Our approach is built around global best practices, including the use of PAS 2080, the international standard that we authored for managing carbon across the built environment. Let’s continue the conversation!
Haydn Young - Rutland Forums
The 24/7 Clean Energy Revolution And The Reshaping Of Renewable Energy Procurement
Initially driven from the tech sector in the US, the 24/7 clean energy concept now has a global reach within Europe, Asia and North America and boasts the backing of the United Nations and the US Government.
So, what’s the fuss about? In this session Haydn (Rutland Forums), Ben (Cornwall Insights), Tom (Sky) and Toby (Granular Energy) will outline how 24/7 could reshape the UK renewable energy market especially for REGO backed renewable power.
Net Zero Index
Just like the Index on futurenetzero.com, this content stream will cover technologies and tools for cutting emissions right now. We have presentations from an array of companies creating or using products and behaviours which can have an immediate effect on your carbon footprint.
James Murphy - Stark
Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement will affect your Net Zero journey. Find out how to take control with the energy experts
With over 40 years in energy data, Stark has seen it all. Now the biggest change in the electricity industry, Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement is here - and Stark are ready. This session will arm you with the knowledge you need to stay in control of your energy data & metering, both essential for your Net Zero Journey.
Sean Langford - Smartest Energy
The Changing Landscape of Renewable Electricity for Corporates
Join us as explore the dynamic shifts in the renewable energy market, analyse their implications for corporate sustainability goals, and choosing the optimal path for your journey to Net Zero. Discover how to navigate upcoming changes and secure a sustainable future for your business.
Rowland Harper - ENGIE
Collaborative corporate PPAs: An innovative approach to drive towards net-zero
With many companies embarking on ambitious net-zero targets, we share the story of how ENGIE and Arla Foods have collaborated to an develop innovative approach to corporate PPAs that supports their mission to become net-zero by 2025.
Will Russell - Innova
What should energy buyers look out for in a Corporate PPA?
During this session, a specialist from Innova Renewables will discuss the benefits and challenges of corporate PPAs, alongside some of the key areas that energy buyers should be mindful of in an increasingly complex energy market landscape.
Kerry Locke - Bryt Energy
Developing a business energy strategy fit for a net zero future
As businesses face an energy transition amid a changing industry, understanding how best to navigate it can be complex and uncertain. During this session, an expert from Bryt Energy will discuss what to expect from these changes, and what businesses will need to consider within their energy strategies to thrive in a net zero future.
Anne Connor - Water Plus
You can't go Net Zero without water - tapping into the opportunities
Knowing what water your business is using and where is an important key to empowering your organisation towards more efficient operations, paving the way to Net Zero and beyond.
But here's the best part – going greener with your water doesn't have to break the bank or be complicated. Join Anne Connor, from Water Plus, boasting over 20 years of expertise in water management. Anne will guide you through the simple yet powerful steps you can take with water, and how these actions can not only save energy but also significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn about sustainable water practices and discover how you can make a real difference – for your organisation.
Jordan Rassas - Inenco
Empowering your people to support your Net Zero Transition Plan
Whether you’re just starting out on your net zero journey or looking for support to reach your agreed milestones, having a clear and aligned transition plan supported by your people will be your key to success.
In this session energy management and sustainability experts Inenco will explore the importance of a robust Net Zero Transition Plan, aligned to your organisation’s vision and strategic direction. Highlighting the pivotal role behavioural change plays and the value of empowering, enabling and educating your people to support your net zero goals. With real life examples and practical insights this spotlight session will showcase the relationship between your plan, data and people in achieving success and truly making a positive impact.
Simon Cubitt - VEV
Case Study: End-to-End Bus Fleet Electrification for Tootbus London
The Tootbus electrification project illustrates how to design, build and operate a new electric bus fleet. Tootbus appointed VEV to develop its fleet electrification plan for its London operations at the power-constrained depot in Wandsworth, London. The goal was to develop a cost-effective, future-proof infrastructure solution to meet Tootbus’ decarbonisation mission while maintaining the resilient and reliable bus service. Find out how these goals were met with renewable power, charging infrastructure, solar power generation and smart energy management.
Lunch
George Richards - JRP Solutions
Breaking through: how to overcome the barriers to implementation of Net Zero plans and projects
Many organisations have now pinpointed the key steps required to slash their emissions and reach the milestone of Net Zero. Yet, despite this awareness, they grapple with formidable obstacles hindering the execution of their plans.
Join us for an engaging presentation where we delve into the heart of these challenges. Through live case studies, we will present actionable strategies to overcome these hurdles and pave the way for a Net Zero future.
Mark Westwood - Brook Green Supply
Harnessing the Power of Renewable Energy Certificates: A Pathway to a Sustainable Future
Join Brook Green Supply for an insight on REGOs & RGGOs and their pivotal role in the transition to a sustainable future. This session will demystify Renewable Energy Certificates, explaining what they are, how they work, and their importance in the UK's push towards renewable energy adoption.
We will explore:
• Understanding the fundamentals and the lifecycle of REGOs & RGGOs.
• Insight into the trading of REGOs and their impact on renewable energy markets.
• How REGOs & RGGOs contribute to reducing carbon footprints and promoting green energy.
• The role of REGOs & RGGOs in corporate sustainability strategies and achieving net-zero goals.
• Emerging developments and the future landscape of renewable energy
George Dale - Ecotricity
Ecotricity introduces Heckington Fen Solar and Storage Park – one of the UK’s biggest solar parks
The story of a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. How Ecotricity are developing one of the UK's biggest solar parks to replace electricity from outmoded fossil-fuel generation but without the CO2. Why this is the deep green you have been searching for in a world of greenwashing.
Alex Avila - Mitie
Emissions Intelligence – built for net zero
Efficiency, transparency, confidence – get it all with managed carbon reporting and reduction.
Carbon reporting can be complicated and time-consuming. But with Emissions Intelligence, you can calculate, report and reduce your carbon emissions more efficiently. Our end-to-end carbon reporting solution uses our data gathering and decarbonisation expertise to help you be compliant, reduce costs and confidently take steps towards a cleaner future.
Join this session to learn more about Emissions Intelligence. Delivered by Mitie, in partnership with Salesforce.
Day Two
My Net Zero Journey
The stories of inspiration and perspiration. Our speakers will tell you how they got to where they are and what they do. You’ll hear how people changed career, started late, reinvented themselves and how they are all now united by the same goal, making things better.
Sumit Bose - future net zero
Join our welcome session with Sumit Bose, Founder of future net zero.
Dr Benjamin Silverstone - WMG Skills Centre
Capability for sustainability and a greener economy
Delivering skills for sustainability and a greener economy is not just about focusing on "green jobs" There is an entire ecosystem around ensuring that we are able to create a greener economy in a way that is sustainable for communities and delivers equity within society. The University of Warwick, and Coventry Council, are taking the lead in supporting providers, businesses and local authorities to create the environment in which sustainability, in its broadest sense, is embedded within lifelong learning and how this can ensure that inward investment can be attracted through the establishment of a coherent skills ecosystem.
Niki Kesharaju - National Grid
Steering engineering into strategy to energise a decarbonised future
Niki's career journey starts with being curious and questioning 'how do things work' and 'how is the world going to change'. It's these questions that led her to explore an early career in engineering in the automotive sector. Engineering gave her the right analytical and problem solving skills to tackle 'how do things work', but it's her career shift to the energy sector and working in strategy and innovation roles that helps answer 'how is the world going to change'. Niki will share insights on how her interests in technology and strategy have enabled her to pursue a career in delivering net zero, spotlighting the BIG job that electricity networks have to play in a decarbonised future, and the importance of green jobs growth in this sector.
Noel Ferguson - Trident Utilities
From The Royal Navy To Net Zero, A Journey
Join Noel Ferguson, former Chief Petty Officer, as he takes us for a cruise through his career from the Royal Navy to Head of Net Zero and Energy Efficiency at Trident Utilities.
Fe Bush - Drax
Net zigzag: The unconventional path to breaking the corporate mold
When asked as a child what she wanted to be when she grew up, Fe’s answer ranged from snowboarding instructor to being the first female Admiral in the Royal Navy and a lot in between. Her career journey has been far from traditional, but has always been underpinned by a core desire to have a positive impact on people and nature. Join Fe as she talks about how a temporary job in data cleansing for an energy company led her to working in carbon removals, using her eclectic skill set to educate, inspire and promote the use of carbon removals as part of decarbonisation strategies.
Simon Alsbury - Energise
A Day In The Life Of A Sustainability Consultancy
Join Simon Alsbury for an insightful session exploring the evolving landscape of business from executive to operational levels. Discover what the future holds as he navigates the challenges and opportunities of sustainability. Learn how sustainability-focused companies are empowering customers to become a force for good, shaping a more responsible and impactful business environment.
Pamela Barbato - Action Net Zero CIC
How Net Zero Inspired My Career... And Could Inspire Yours Too!
Pam will share insights from her career and shine a light on the critical role that engagement and inspiring people play in tackling the Climate and Nature crisis and the relevant skills required. She'll shine a light on the value of developing transferable green engagement skills and the role that partnerships and public private collaboration is playing in delivering impacts for people, planet and the green economy.
Action Net Zero's mission is to empower communities, people and businesses with easy, affordable actions to achieve a healthier and greener world, where carbon emissions are reduced, nature is protected and the climate is no longer in crisis.
Nebin Babu - British Gas
From a Year in Industry Student to a Net Zero Consultant. My Journey at Centrica.
Having started his career on Centrica’s Analyst Graduate Scheme, Nebin has several years of experience within the energy industry. His role at Centrica Business Solutions involves supporting large organisations to understand their path towards a sustainable future – wherever they may be on their journey. With a focus on decarbonisation and science-based targets, Nebin engages with both private and public sector clients to navigate complex investment decisions and develop data-driven pathways to net zero.
As well as providing net zero consultancy services, Centrica Business Solutions finances, builds, operates and maintains onsite, large-scale energy assets like Solar PV and Combined Heat and Power - to help organisations to decarbonise and save money. We’re proud to partner with 1,800+ organisations in the UK and Ireland, and 7,000+ businesses globally, to help solve their energy challenges and harness new opportunities.
Lunch
Ashley Webber - Balanced Energy
Charting Your Path To A Net Zero Future
Get ready to be inspired at The Big Zero Show this July at the Coventry Building Society Arena, where Ashley Webber from Balanced Energy will share his journey and excitement in the world of Net Zero careers.
Ashley’s session is specially tailored for students like you, who are curious about the transformative roles in the Net Zero sector. He’ll talk about what it’s like to wake up every day knowing you are making a difference by helping companies tackle their emissions. Discover the passion and opportunities that come with a career dedicated to creating a sustainable future.
Kuram Gwakyaa - Mitie
Harnessing Your Skills And Knowledge To Contribute To A Greener Future
An overview of the ever-evolving skills required to build and develop a career in the sustainability and net zero sphere. Offering career-based insights with a focus on transferability of skills and knowledge into the sector, as well as an outline of the range of sustainability and net zero roles at Mitie.
Fiona Edwards - JPA Workspaces
Joining The Dots To Achieve Net Zero!
My Net Zero journey started when our largest client called a meeting in 2015 to ask what JPA Workspaces was doing about carbon reduction and sustainability. Encountering a professionally qualified sustainability manager for the first time was a truly terrifying experience in 2015 but we had to respond with a plan - which we did, albeit very simple. We began our sustainability adventure by focusing on environmental and waste issues which we already knew something about through ISO14001, joining the dots gradually as a larger sustainability picture formed. None of our other clients displayed any interest in environmental impact in the meantime but the arrival of Covid accelerated demand and indeed our own progress faster towards Net Zero than we had thought possible which is why I am here today sharing my experiences.
Stew Horne - Energy Saving Trust
From digital switchover to decarbonisation
Lowering energy demand is absolutely crucial to tackling the climate crisis. Being more energy efficient means we need to generate less energy in the first place, build less infrastructure and will make the 2050 targets more achievable. I studied green politics as part of my degree and have been looking for roles to help deliver the changes we need since then.
In my role as Head of Policy at Energy Saving Trust my team aims to provide the arguments and evidence to UK policy makers to delivery policy and delivery that will accelerate the retrofit of homes, take up of renewables and decarbonised heat and switching to sustainable transport.
My career didn’t start here. I began working on policy around digital television switchover, and then around food safety and food labelling before moving into energy. The thread that runs through my career is consumer policy and understanding behaviour change. These are such key parts of addressing climate change – and a key challenge in my role is making sure policy makers think about these changes when they design legislation, policy and delivery schemes.
Aden Johnson - Boxfish
From Professional Sports To Leading Utility Net-Zero Roadmaps
Aden’s session will be focusing on how when he left school, he had no intention of being i the sustainability sector. His path was through professional football and then into the commercial water market where he got his first taste of sustainability in utilities.
Paula Owen - Eco Action Games
From Atmospheric Science To Gaming: My Journey To Net Zero
Paula started her net zero journey with a PhD in atmospheric chemistry and her first role was trying to educate an oblivious British public about the dangers of accelerated climate change. Through three decades she has, in one form or another, continued in that vein – education and behaviour change to attempt to persuade people to take action. Around a decade ago, she happened upon the idea of using gamification to help engage people in climate action and that has been her focus ever since through her B Corp certified company, eco action games. In this talk, Paula will explain why she thinks gamification is a useful tool in the Net Zero professional’s armoury and demo her brand new game – the Great British Net Zero Lowdown – with the audience.
My Net Zero Job
Don’t think your skills could be used in the low carbon economy? Think again! Our speakers from a range of companies, sectors and doing a vast array of jobs, will explain how wide the scope is for a career of any kind in our net zero future.
Kisha Couchman - Energy UK
The crucial role of energy policy in driving the transition to Net Zero
Working on energy policy is essential for advancing the transition to Net Zero. It creates the frameworks that guide the development and implementation of sustainable energy system. By shaping regulations and incentives, energy policy encourages new technologies and mobilises investment, making it easier for businesses and communities to work together to reduce our carbon emissions and achieve our climate goals.
Ola Bankole - London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
A Week In The Life Of A Sustainability Practitioner
The role of a sustainability practitioner goes beyond the technical know-how. This is important…but equally important are the soft skills that needs to accompany this. This can often mean the difference between success and failure of your agenda. This session will show the variety of competencies one needs to possess in order to make a real difference.
Eleanor Lawton - SSE Renewables
A Week in the Life of a Civil Engineer for an Offshore Wind Farm
This talk will explore why civil engineering is a fundamental discipline for the successful development of offshore wind farms. It will discuss the application of various sub-disciplines, from flood modeling to drilling techniques, highlighting the diversity and excitement of this profession.
Toby Costar
Knowing Nothing About Energy Can Be A Major Advantage
Toby will discuss how his lack of energy knowledge when entering the industry ended up being a major advantage when shaping brands in a cluttered market place.
Rebecca McManus - Aurora Energy Research
Journey to net zero at Aurora Energy Research
Introduction to Aurora Energy Research, the largest dedicated power analytics company in Europe. The session will provide an overview of the company and a deep dive into some of the latest key insights and research on Aurora’s net zero analysis.
Stephen Henry - Positive Planet
From intent to positive impact
More than 9 out of 10 sustainability programmes fail to achieve their desired goals leading to disengaged employees, business risk and additional cost. Set up your sustainability programme for success with insights from Stephen Henry of Positive Planet.
Lydia Malley - Energy Institute
Accelerating a just global energy transition to net zero through skills
Despite not having a clear idea of what she wanted to do for a career growing up, Lydia will share how she has found a career that inspires her to create a better energy future. As a History and Philosophy graduate, her career started off in an unusual place and has not followed a conventional path since, but she has found her passion in her current role focused on upskilling and empowering others.
Lydia will share her personal journey to a net zero career, as well as how the Energy Institute is working to attract, develop and equip the diverse future energy workforce with the skills they’ll need to accelerate a just global energy transition to net zero.
Lunch
Ruaire Glackin - Utility Aid
Discovering Net Zero Remotely... Yes It’s Possible!
Faced with rising energy costs and demands for more sustainable organisations, more and more organisations were reaching out to Utility Aid for help. The challenge was to provide a service to customers that was both cost effective and informative. Ruaire developed a service for low to medium users of energy that allowed them to take advantage of expert advice without the traditionally high cost of an on site energy audit. “Onsite audit costs can quickly escalate when there are long travel times. Our thoughts were to remove the travel cost and try to conduct the audit remotely, using the latest video technology”. In the initial test phase 10 surveys were conducted, the outcome was positive for all 10 and so we developed the package throughout 2023. In January 2024 we launched version 3 of our audit which now provides all the necessary information organisations need to make good decisions and also the financial information funding providers were asking for. In todays talk we will discuss how the survey works, the benefits to organisations and how the Remote Discovery Document needs to be the start of your Net Zero Journey.
Rebecca Howard - Coventry Building Society
Net Zero Into Action
This session is about Coventry Building Society has involved stakeholders in determining ESG priorities, communications and initiatives. It will focus on net zero and greenhouse gas emissions but will also address travel, waste management, diversity & inclusion, social value, community initiatives and supplier payment practices. The presentation will demonstrate how effective inter-organisational collaboration enables acceleration towards a net zero future.
Peter Starr - Wayvie
Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can: Transitioning To A Green Career
Unlocking a green career starts with mindset. Explore what might be holding you back – whether it's fear of change or uncertainty about your abilities. Next, hone in on your top transferrable skills for the green sector: critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and adaptability are invaluable in sustainability roles. But don't stop there. Learn how to sell your own value effectively: highlight your passion for sustainability, showcase relevant experiences and demonstrate your commitment to making a difference.
Amy Collins - BEAMA
Empowering Sustainability: The Crucial Role Of Supply Chains In Achieving Net Zero
Join Amy as she shares her personal journey from marketing to sustainability-driven leadership. Explore the pivotal role of trade associations and the electrification supply chain in driving the Net Zero agenda forward. Discover the essential skills and opportunities within this vital sector that could pave the way for your own impactful sustainability career.
Stephen Atkins - Consultus Group
A Net Zero Graduate Programme; Attracting Talent and Delivering Success
This session will look at our approach adopted to our successful Graduate Programme and the challenges and opportunities this has afforded the business in this fast growing and increasingly competitive industry. It will include a view of the steps undertaken in setting up and running the programme, and look at how this has delivered success for both the participants and for the development of the business.
Sophie Wragg - Be Your Best Version
Green Skills: What You Need For The Future Net Zero Workplace
If we have any chance of cutting emissions, reaching net zero and stalling climate change every job needs to become a climate job. It cannot just be left to one person or department, it needs to become part of everyone's roles. But how do we upskill our staff to do this and more to the point, how do we effectively engage everyone to embrace net zero?