Innovation Zero

It was a pleasure to welcome Ed Miliband recently at Innovation Zero, where he dubbed our event “the Glastonbury for energy nerds.” In his new role in government as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed has promised to bring climate front and centre to its plans in government, taking the lead on global efforts to tackle the climate crisis. These words have already been followed up with early action by reversing the ban on onshore wind earlier today. If you’re interested in speaking on our Main Stage in 2025 (or Pyramid Stage according to Ed), or any of our 10 Forum stages to share your climate leadership story, enquire here now → https://lnkd.in/eSKxY-A6 To view Ed’s full session recently at Innovation Zero 2024, go here → https://lnkd.in/eeAUKtzg #innovationzero #innovationzero2025 #innovationzerolondon #Energy #NetZero #climatechange #climatecrisis #climateleadership Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

So what will the new Labour government do about climate change? For an answer, I've been taking another look at the interview I did at Innovation Zero with Ed Miliband, who's now Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero. He was in opposition when we met on-stage back in May so we were still using the word 'if' but the polls were already clear about the likely outcome. Key points: A big theme is the link between fuel poverty and our dependence on high-priced fossil fuels. Clean energy, he said, is the route to tackling the cost of living crisis. That's true because wind, solar, heat pumps and insulation can displace expensive gas imports. Another very welcome message: consistent policy. No more 'capricious shifts' to please the anti-Net Zero brigade causing uncertainty for business, instead a 'North Star' of decarbonised power by 2030 so companies know what's happening and can plan. Also positive, the use of public investment to encourage private investment as part of clear strategy involving the whole government. Including the Treasury. Ed Miliband wants more rooftop solar, benefits for communities hosting renewables and regulators to have a Net Zero mandate. He'll look at regional pricing - an appealing idea promoted by Greg Jackson of Octopus Energy. We'll have to see how much of this actually happens, especially the trickier - but valuable - ideas like obliging companies to have transition plans to keep global warming to 1.5C. Will there be penalties if they don't, I asked. He wasn't clear on that or on whether there'd be tariffs on cheap Chinese electric cars. He was confident UK manufacturers would rise to the challenge. OK. Two observations: Ed Miliband brings a wealth of experience to the job - and humour. Innovation Zero, he said, was a 'Glastonbury for energy nerds', counting himself as one. And backstage it was good to see him comfortable with Greg Jackson. Gone are the days of Boris Johnson saying "F*** business". This is a government that seems to embrace the people trying to deliver fast-paced change. Of course there's a world of difference between bold statements in opposition and the gritty challenges and trade-offs of power. But anything after the flip-flopping and culture wars of the last lot would be an improvement and this really feels like a bright new start. We badly need one. https://lnkd.in/erdd3uFU

🗣️ "We will not be able to deliver the projects that we need to deliver if we don't have the people and the skills at that scale..." - Mark McKean, Head of Offshore Assets, Crown Estate Scotland 🔋 In order for the renewable energy transformation to successfully take place, we need a resilient grid, functioning power plants and generators, and a strong network of pipelines and interconnectors. Energy Transitions Commission's Elena Pravettoni, Mark, Rob Rome (National Grid Ventures), Richard Sargent (RWE) and David Richardson (Innovate UK) discussed how the investment community is funding a stronger energy infrastructure while also guaranteeing returns for key stakeholders. 📽️ View the full session here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eh6GytUZ

🗣️ Did you know that – according to Waterwise – the average person in the UK uses around 150l of water a day? 🚱 Water scarcity is one of the most pressing challenges of our time – how can we change our behaviours regarding water usage to escape the "jaws of death"?   🚿 Kevin Wright, Chief Brand Officer at Showerkap, describes the steps we can and should take – collectively and as individuals – to curb excessive water usage. 📽️ View the full presentation below 👇 #zeroin #waterscarcity #environment #waterusage #water

🗣️ "It's not just the activity in terms of decarbonisation that is operating at scale; it is also the education supply chain that will have to operate at scale." - Kirstie Simpson, Dean and Associate Professor, University of Chester 🌐 CCUS has been identified as a pillar of industrial decarbonisation, and vital to reducing emissions at lowest cost globally. Carbon Capture and Storage Association's Olivia Powis sat down with Kirstie, Jonathan Briggs (VPI ), Richard Gwilliam (Drax Group) & John Hartley (Levidian) to explore the most promising investment opportunities in the creation of industrial hubs and other CCUS projects. 📽️ View the full discussion here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eCQfCgFD

🗣️ "The reality today is that every wind turbine reduces our energy costs, every solar farm reduces our energy costs, but when we build them, that just goes into the great big blancmange of the energy system..." - Greg Jackson, Founder & CEO, Octopus Energy 💡 How are technological advancements challenging the status quo and paving the way for a tech-enabled energy market? Main Stage Host David Shukman sat down with Greg to explore a potential future where energy systems are decentralised, competitive, and optimised for sustainability, driving towards a cleaner, more resilient energy landscape. 📽️ View the full fireside conversation here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ez4EKAFw

🗣️ "People won't change what they eat to save their lives, why do we think they'll change what they eat to save the planet?" - Jack A Bobo, Director, Food Systems Institute at the University of Nottingham 🌍 By 2050, the world will have to feed 10 billion people, but the current food system is already placing enormous pressure upon our planet. 🍊 To ensure our future food security and planetary health, we need to transform our diets and adopt more sustainable and healthy food choices. Anna Taylor (The Food Foundation ) joined Jack, Hannah Cornick (Danone UK&I) & Hermione Dace (Tony Blair Institute for Global Change) to explore the latest innovations that are making sustainable food more accessible and affordable to consumers. 📽️ View the full session here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/emqPiV3k

🔎 Check out the June edition of #ZeroIn! 💡 Featuring insights from Showerkap's Kevin Wright and Earth Changers' Vicky Smith. Also features Cleantech Group, NatWest, CauliBox & Hydrogen Refinery #waterconservation #waterusage #sustainabletravel #sustainabletourism #conservationism

🗣️ "...it's very much a technology conversation, but it isn't just a technological problem..." - Ollie Folayan MBE, Head of Process and Safety Engineering, Optimus Plus (Aberdeen) Ltd, and Chair, Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK) 🌉 The successful development of low carbon infrastructure rests on the foundational pillars of critical supply in energy, minerals, and labour. Main Stage host lucy siegle joined Ollie, Prof. Paul Monks (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) & Rebecca Sedler (National Grid) to discuss how the future of green infrastructure is being guaranteed by boosting domestic supply and securing a network of clean & resilient imports. 📽️ View the full session here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gMj6a68r

✅ Innovation Zero sets out new policy on sponsors ✅ We are eager to address some feedback we’ve received, noting that we have a responsibility as a platform in regard to the organisations with which we partner. Innovation Zero aims to engage with all relevant organisations across the ecosystem in the conversation about how to reach internationally agreed net zero goals, inviting leaders to meet with the industry, and to display their solutions. We support the position of the IPCC in regard to the role of fossil fuels in the future economy, and therefore don't want to imply support for those engaged in new extraction by featuring their logos as event sponsors. Therefore, Innovation Zero will no longer accept sponsorship involving brand exposure from companies continuing to invest in new fossil fuel projects. Organisations, including those mentioned, will be allowed to exhibit or participate in the programme only where they have innovative low carbon solutions to present. Read more about us or get in touch with the team to discuss further: https://lnkd.in/eBPWMyN8