An Interview with British Glass CEO, Dave Dalton

Ahead of our Industrial Forum's "Beyond Emissions Capture to Creating Value" session, May 25th, we spoke with the CEO of British Glass, Dave Dalton, who went into depth about the ways in which his sector, and the UK as a whole, are leading the charge to net zero.
 

What is your session all about and what will you be sharing?

"This session is about how industry can/will go beyond the basic need to reduce or capture process emission, but instead to remove all possible sources from the process whilst still providing vital products to trade and consumer. Some of which will in their own right further the reduction in carbon emissions and environment impact.

We will be sharing our engagement process through the development of a sector-wide, fully subscribed road-map to better than net zero.  We will share thought process, the planning and the on-boarding, plus the approach to and support gained from government to deliver it."
 

How important is an event like Innovation Zero to help accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy?

"It is critical to share and engage a wider audience and multiply the impact by utilising a platform like this to demonstrate and share methodology and show results from early projects and outcomes already visible in order to encourage other potential sector leaders to follow suit and take the initiative and leverage of the overall outcomes."
 

"...UK government needs to act quickly on determining a future fuel strategy so that large industries can appropriately factor this into their own thinking and future budgeting."
 

How do you currently see the UK leading that change? Any examples?

"The UK has already taken major strides in our policy environment to encourage and fiscally support innovation and early mover technology in a world-leading fashion. In my own sector, glass manufacture, we have developed the first large EII sector net zero pathway fully signed up by all major manufacturers in the industry, with targets and achievement landmarks.

We have also developed a £56M globally subscribed glass innovation centre (Glass Futures Ltd) recently completed and still in final stages of fit out, before commissioning next year. This is an innovation and environmental scaled demonstration platform in St Helens which will allow real manufacturing businesses to trial and demonstrate new technologies before adoption; a world first of its kind."
 

What is British Glass currently doing to in its progress/journey towards net-zero?

"As per Q3- British Glass is both working with government, particularly BEIS, DEFRA and Treasury to develop and implement an appropriate policy landscape and fiscally supportive environment through which our sector, as a former polluter, can develop, evolve and lead the world in both green and generally innovative technologies."
 

"...we have developed the first large EII sector net zero pathway fully signed up by all major manufacturers in the industry, with targets and achievement landmarks."
 

What policy priorities do you see as critical to enable your sector and clients to grasp the opportunity presented by the low carbon transition?

"Continued innovation funding, better joined-up thinking between all Cabinet disciplines and a properly balanced approach to delivery, particularly across the transition period, as few sectors are able to switch technologies overnight. Industries like glass make 20+ year investment in major manufacturing technologies and will need understanding and support in effecting their transition. Care must be taken in not administering punitive measures for sectors with such difficult transitions.  Equally, UK government needs to act quickly on determining a future fuel strategy so that large industries can appropriately factor this into their own thinking and future budgeting."