Decarbonising the private sector is vital to achieve our net zero targets and ensure our energy security. The pace and scale at which we need to do this is a major challenge. Particularly when businesses of all sizes are facing significant obstacles, some unique to their sector.
We recently held a networking event in London. It was the second in a series of events aimed at building relationships with stakeholders and creating opportunities for collaboration.
Jenny Jarvis, Chief Operating Officer and Tim Anderson, Relationship Management Director, both from Energy Saving Trust hosted insightful conversations and panels with our speakers:
Jenny and Ben discussed the Government’s ambition to electrify, which will increase demand and make the need for a lower-cost energy system even more critical. The government has already spent £40 billion responding to the energy crisis, and achieving net zero remains a significant challenge.
As a new entity, Clean Power aims to swiftly engage with the energy system through various ongoing projects, emphasising the need for rapid action.
The panel brought together diverse perspectives from small businesses, large corporations, and the finance sector, all of which are each on their own journey to net zero.
Small businesses have faced considerable struggles in recent years, grappling with limited financial resources, the impacts of COVID-19 and rising fuel prices. Larger companies encounter numerous decarbonisation barriers, including:
- skill gaps
- energy and infrastructure challenges
- regulatory hurdles
- investment crowding
- international market issues
Meanwhile, the financial sector has seen a notable shift from superficial decarbonisation efforts to a genuine commitment to meeting net zero targets. This is driven by the urgency and importance of these goals. Financial institutions are now navigating challenges such as risk-return considerations and economic uncertainties.
