Midlands Sustainability Summit – the path to Net Zero

Event Information:

Date: Thursday, 23 September 2021

Time: 9:30am - 12:15pm

Available To: Members and Non Members

Member Price: FREE

Non-Member Price: FREE

This year’s Summit, delivered in partnership with the University of Derby, will build on the continued activity to support the transition to a low carbon economy and the path to Net Zero.

The Ten Point Plan for Green Growth in the Midlands Engine sets out, with a unified voice, the Midlands Engine Partnership’s collective plan: actions to be taken in partnership which will accelerate both the Midlands and the UK’s path to net zero.

By advancing the Plan, the Midlands is committing to deliver a 36% reduction in CO2 emissions from current regional levels, while also creating 196,000 high-value, high-skill jobs to boost productivity and generate a further £24.2 billion GVA for the region’s economy – by 2041.

Additionally, we are experiencing, local authorities announcing climate emergencies and setting their own regional carbon neutral targets, there is a reshaping of the UKs financial service sector and an increased frequency of new legislation to hit net zero targets.

The discussion on climate action and the race to net zero is gathering pace, this Summit is the starting point of a wider discussion as to what this means for the business community in the Midlands, exploring the drivers, threats and opportunities, as we look to deliver economic growth at the same time as delivering on net zero emission targets.

Agenda

Introduction to the Summit – Scott Knowles, Chief Executive Officer, East Midlands Chamber

Introduction from Summit partner - Professor Kamil Omoteso -Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the College of Business, Law and Social Sciences, University of Derby

Pro-environmental business and clean growth trends for the East Midlands 2021 – Findings of Year 6 of the research partnership with University of Derby and East Midlands Chamber – Dr Fred Paterson, Associate Professor, Sustainable Business and Clean Growth, Low Carbon Business Network Lead, University of Derby

Delivering on net Zero Commitments – exploring the assistance and support required on the path of “stating the commitment” to “strategic delivery” – how the top-level statement of intent is delivered in practice - Edward Gray, Chief Technology Officer, The Consultus International Group

Ed graduated with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Glasgow before joining the world of defence with BAE Systems in Edinburgh. Ed has extensive Carbon and Energy experience gained with Hilton Worldwide and Marks and Spencer, where he served as Director of Energy across Europe and as the Global Head of Energy Demand respectively.

Panel Discussion – the role and future of finance, investment and funding in the race to net zero (all panellists to be confirmed)

Lewis Stringer, Senior Manager, UK Network – East & South-East Midlands, British Business Bank
Paul Humphreys, Head of Scale Up Services with East Midlands Chamber and Senior Innovation and Growth Specialist with Innovate UK EDGE
Jon Corbett, Head of SME Central England, Barclays

Ten Point Plan for Green Growth in the Midlands Engine – Peter Ware - Partner & Head of Government Sector, Browne Jacobson LLP and Chair of the Midlands Engine Green Growth Board

Detailing the background and context of the Plan and the work underway to mobilise delivery to accelerate both the Midlands and the UK’s path to net zero

1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders - Driving climate action throughout global supply chains - Gabrielle Ginér, Head of Environmental Sustainability, BT

The 1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders was is an initiative created by founding partners Ericsson, IKEA, Telia, BT Group and Unilever which aims to support SMEs globally within the supply chain.

Forward-thinking supply chain leaders, such as BT, understand the need to work with their suppliers to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net zero emissions before 2050. Working with their suppliers in order to reach collective targets, they aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through firm action and collaboration, while looking to inspire others to do the same. BT will present on how they work with their supply chain and the importance placed on suppliers having to support the fulfilment of the net zero ambition.

Gabrielle has led BT's environmental sustainability programme since 2009. Her work has spanned developing BT's carbon targets - BT's 1.5°C science-based target and abatement target for BT’s products and she is responsible for BT’s climate and environment strategy.

Gabrielle developed BT’s environmental sustainability supply chain engagement programme and is currently working with the 1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders initiative on the SME climate hub, represents BT in external fora such as World Business Council for Sustainable Development and We Mean Business, and chairs the UNFCCC Momentum for Change Advisory Panel.