Businesses should look at Net Zero as an 'opportunity, not a challenge'

Charles Wood, deputy director of policy at Energy UK, says Lancashire businesses should view the road to Net Zero as an ‘opportunity, not a challenge’ as the country tries to transition to a low carbon economy.

He was one of the headline speakers at the Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference hosted by Lancashire Business View at Crow Wood Hotel and Spa in Burnley.

Charles said: “I think we are all moving in a direction and want to get to Net Zero. We have a shared purpose in this room.

“It's about convincing the people who aren't in this room. So take everything you've heard here and start using it in those conversations with other people you meet.

“Lancashire is doing pretty well when it comes to Net Zero. There's a lot of businesses here doing a lot for the economy.

“We have to make sure that Lancashire, local businesses, and communities are all linked to a Net Zero journey, and be proud of the fact that you're doing well.”

Energy UK is the trade association for the energy industry, representing companies investing billions of pounds to secure the UK’s current and future energy needs.   

The conference brought together professionals from public and private sectors to consider the challenges of businesses trying to meet the government’s clean power 2030 ambitions.

Delegates heard from Prof Miranda Barker, chief executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and RedCAT Group; Steve Wood, CEO of Fylde Coast Energy, Jamie McKittrick of JBA Risk Management and Michael Dugdale, managing director of Trident and how it makes ‘business sense’ to move towards Net Zero.

Jamie described sustainability as ‘not just about doing the right thing for the environment, it is business savviness as well.'

"If you have a timber forest and you don’t plant trees as you cut them down, you will find yourself without a forest. It is planning for the future."

Helen Seagrave, local power director of GB Energy, and Peter Rowe, development manager of Cubico, also sat on a panel on wind power and spoke of the importance of bringing the community into Net Zero plans.

Ged Ennis, founder of Low Carbon Energy, told the audience about how his business can help scale projects for solar panels to suit every kind of organisation on their Net Zero journey.

He added it was an exciting time for Net Zero companies.

He said: “We have got hydrogen technology growing in Lancashire and solar is well established and then you have the wind sector. The opportunities are there and we need to grab them.”

Becky Toal, managing director of Crowberry Consulting, Alan Reid of Innovate UK Business Growth and David Heap, managing director of Vital Heating Solutions, talked about skills and green jobs.

Becky called on people to move across to the ESG space.

She said: “We need more women in STEM, colour, LGBT and spectrums. This sector is for everyone and is inclusive. We are not the most diverse sector so we need to encourage more people into it.”

Mark Gibbons, funding and partnership manager at Rosebud, which is part of Lancashire County Council’s Business Growth Service, updated the audience about funding opportunities open to businesses in Lancashire.

Richard Slater, chairman of Lancashire Business View, said: “We have been doing the Net Zero Conference for three years now.

“It has brought together leaders and innovators from across the county who are serious about making positive change.

“This conference has shown that Lancashire is not just talking about Net Zero — it’s taking action and the next steps are spreading the message.”

There also was a guided tour for delegates to learn about the steps taken by the Crow Wood Hotel to provide a greener future.

The Burnley hospitality venue has had more than 2,200 ground-mounted solar panels installed in its grounds, courtesy of Burnley-based commercial solar panel installer Low Carbon Energy.

The conference was in association with Low Carbon Energy, Trident Utilities and Vital Heating Solutions.

Chamber Low Carbon and RedCAT Group, Ciceley Commercials, Crowberry Consulting, Innovate UK Business Growth were exhibition partners.

And it is supported by: Vantage Motor Group.

•  A full report of the event will appear in the July-August issue of Lancashire Business View.