UK’s largest net zero industry gathering set to hear the views of leading politicians on key sustainability issues

As the pressing topics of achieving net zero emissions, environmental preservation and sustainability take centre stage in anticipation of the forthcoming UK general election, Innovation Zero, a prominent industry congress, is poised to provide a prominent platform for robust debate and discussion. The event, scheduled to take place at London Olympia from 30 April to 1 May 2024, will feature prominent political figures, facilitating insightful conversations aimed at addressing these critical issues.

Representatives of all main political parties will be taking to the stage to speak at Innovation Zero, the UK government-backed two-day congress. This inclusive participation underscores their collective commitment to showcasing and bolstering their green initiatives in the lead-up to the general election. Given the electorate’s growing emphasis on sustainability, the implementation of environmentally-conscious policies is likely to emerge as a pivotal factor influencing voting decisions, making Innovation Zero a crucial forum for politicians to articulate their dedication to a greener future for the country.

As well as government ministers and senior politicians with experience of the levers of power, like former Secretary of State for International Trade, Sir Liam Fox MP, the UK’s largest net zero gathering of the year will also see representatives of the main opposition parties setting out their stalls and explaining their green agenda for government should they gain the keys to Ten Downing Street after the election.

Labour’s sustainability plans have hit the headlines recently with the news that the party is to scale back its £28bn green spending proposals. The proposals were initially welcomed by many in the business community, and the public, but the party’s nervousness about making large-scale spending commitments have made them think again – this despite Labour leader Kier Starmer saying recently that the party’s policy pledge to spend £28bn a year on green investment is “desperately needed”.

In that light, it will be especially interesting to hear from Innovation Zero speaker Ed Miliband, the Labour Shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero, and what he has to say at the event given the recent scrutiny around Labour’s green spending plans. Scrutiny of all the main party’s sustainability plans will continue all the way up to the general election and all the sessions with politicians at Innovation Zero are sure to be very well attended and keenly anticipated.

Elsewhere, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party are claiming that their green manifestos will mark the biggest shift to a sustainable economic policy ever seen in the UK. The Conservatives will highlight the significant progress being made under their stewardship towards decarbonisation and the nation achieving its net zero targets by 2030. All of this tees up some great opportunities for discussion and debate on sustainability and net zero issues as the general election gets closer and Innovation Zero is set to be the place to hear those discussions.

One of the political speakers at the event, Alexander Stafford MP, vice chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Critical Minerals, said: “I am delighted to be speaking at Innovation Zero, an event which I am sure will help to accelerate meaningful action towards a low carbon economy and society. The green transition has massive potential to transform our country by creating jobs, opportunities and wealth, both across the country and in my constituency, as well as helping to lower bills and meet national policy targets. As part of our green transition, I’m keenly aware that we will need a new cohort of critical minerals as we seek to bolster our energy security, domestic industrial resilience and international supply chains. Events like these are crucial to provide a platform for the innovators, funders and policymakers who inspire change, and I’m looking forward to speaking about this and other issues at Innovation Zero.”

The Innovation Zero congress is set to be one of the largest sustainability and net zero events seen in the UK, with 10,000 delegates expected and a comprehensive programme featuring 600+ world-class speakers across 175+ content sessions, who are experts in climate change mitigation, clean technology innovation and implementing low carbon solutions.

Some of the 600+ leading experts speaking as part of the Innovation Zero 2024 programme include: -

• Dr Sweta Chakraborty, CEO North America, We Don’t Have Time.
• Bob Wigley, Chair, UK Finance.
• Rhian-Mari Thomas, Chief Executive, Green Finance Institute.
• Shaun Kingsbury CBE, Chief Investment Officer, Just Climate.
• Simon Sharpe, Director of Economics, UN Climate Champions.
• George Eustice MP, Former UK Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.
• Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Member of the House of Lords.
• Susanne Mecklenburg, Head of Climate Office at the European Space Agency.
• Carwyn Jones, Former First Minister of Wales and Chair, Size of Wales.
• Olivier Wenden, CEO, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
• Dhara Vyas, Deputy CEO, Energy UK.
• Melanie Leech CBE, Chief Executive, British Property Federation.
• Mike Pitts, Deputy Challenge Director, Innovate UK.
• Greg Jackson, CEO, Octopus Energy.

The 2024 congress will also see the launch of the Innovation Zero Awards. Officially supported by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the ceremony will take place on the evening of 30 April at Innovation Zero, with an opening keynote delivered by Amanda Solloway MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Affordability and Skills) and government whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury). Find out more about the Awards here.

Free registration for Innovation Zero ends on 31st March. Attendees can register for the event after this at a fee of £199 + VAT. Click here to register.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

For more details and to enquire about possible interviews with speakers or exhibitors contact Andy Walker at the Innovation Zero media office on +44 (0) 7791 997602 or andy@andywalkerconsult.co.uk

Innovation Zero is organised by Clean Tech Events Ltd.