Net Zero Live – starting the journey to carbon net zero

People across the world tuned in for our ground-breaking Net Zero Live event which marked the culmination of the Devon & Plymouth Chamber’s Net Zero October programme.

In the lead up to the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) COP26 in Glasgow, we hosted a month of events dedicated to business and the climate crisis agenda.

This innovative series showcased how businesses in the region are changing to meet Net Zero carbon targets, explored what our ambitions were in tackling the climate crisis and helped businesses discover how to make the crucial green changes to your organisation.

Broadcast live from Fresh Air Studios in Plymouth, Net Zero Live featured a host of superb guest speakers who were on hand to help businesses answer the difficult questions around the Green Agenda.

Find out more on our dedicate Net Zero Hub here.

The four-hour event was streamed through multiple channels and divided into four categories: Earth & Energy category, Transport, Marine and Business Support.

Huge thanks to our headline sponsor YGS Landscapes Ltd and our event partners, BCR Associates, Low Carbon Devon and Enterprise.

Our speakers on the day were:

Earth & Energy category – sponsored by BCR Associates

Steve Bolt from BCR Associates, who talked about the challenges for business and the UK in achieving Carbon Net Zero and what we need to consider.

Amanda Keetley from Devon Environment Foundation, who discussed a ‘nature-positive’ approach to tackling the climate emergency and the importance of looking beyond sustainability.

Alex Monro from the Devon Energy Partnership, who offered advice on how businesses can mitigate risks now that energy prices are quickly rising and the support available to help fund Solar PV.

Jackie Young from Urban Agenda SW and Environment Plymouth, who pointed businesses in the right direction of finding help with environmental management and why it is worth doing.

Transport category – sponsored by Enterprise

Oz Choudhri from Enterprise Holdings, who talked about what Enterprise Car Club is doing to have fewer cars on the road and how businesses can benefit from car shares and both hybrid and electric car rentals.

Amy Coppin from GWR, who discussed the firm’s plans for decarbonisation and what we can expect them to deliver in the Devon and Plymouth area.

Danny Street from Roger Young, who told us everything we need to know about electric vehicles – including giving us a sneak peek at the brand-new Jaguar I-Pace.

Mark Collins from Go South West, who explained how busses can play a part in becoming Carbon Net Zero.

Marine category

James Thomas from JET Engineering, who gave viewers an update of the South West Carbon Capture Cluster.

Mark Parry from the Ocean Conservation Trust and National Marine Aquarium, who discussed seagrasses – how carbon is stored in them and the potential that seagrass restoration has for carbon offset, including its limitations.

Alex Stannard from Babcock International Group, who talked about the firm’s journey to net zero.

Sarah Fear from University of Plymouth, who explained how Plymouth is leading the way in the decarbonisation of the Marine industry and the impact of new charging infrastructure of vessels.

Business Support category – sponsored by Low Carbon Devon

Steve Warren-Brown and Adam King from YGS Landscapes, who shone light on what urban reforestation is, how the technique works and its advantages in achieving Carbon Net Zero.

Polly Frost from Devon County Council, who shared some really valuable insights and some extremely useful links (see below).

Anna Peachey from Plymouth City Council, who told us why it is important for Plymouth that businesses work towards net zero and how the economic development department are delivering environmental support projects for businesses.

Chris Woodfield from Low Carbon Devon, who explained how the £2.6 million project will provide an exciting new catalyst for low-carbon economic growth in the county.