Net Zero Carbon: from policy to action | Research Festival 2022

Searching for systems synergies between research, industry and policy to achieve net zero carbon emissions
Part of the Research Festival 2022
Research Festival 2022 Net zero carbon from policy to action

  • Online via Zoom

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The UK Government’s net zero strategy outlines the ambition to ‘lead the world in ending our contribution to climate change, while turning this mission into the greatest opportunity for jobs and prosperity for our country since the industrial revolution.’ (‘Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener’, gov.uk 2021)
 
Reaching net-zero carbon requires a holistic, systems-thinking approach with interaction between many areas, from the built environment, transport, energy and resources to nature-based solutions, behaviour change and the arts. By bringing researchers from different disciplines together with organisations from the wider world we can examine the larger picture and find synergies to accelerate action towards our net zero goals.

Opening this year’s Research Festival, the Sustainable Earth Institute hosts the insightful Sustainable Earth Forum looking at the role of universities in taking a systems-thinking approach to reaching net zero, providing an overview of UK policy, and exploring clean growth opportunities in the South West. 

We welcome Michael Lewis, CEO of E.ON, who shares his perspectives of how universities can advance the clean growth agenda. Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE, University of Bath, delves into the psychology of environmental science, particularly perceptions and behaviour change around climate change.

Hear from researchers, businesses, NGOs and the public sector about their latest research, developments and initiatives throughout the day. 

This event provides an online forum for knowledge exchange and to encourage collaboration across disciplines and sectors. Join us to spark new ideas that could accelerate or improve your current activity towards achieving net zero carbon emissions. 

Need-to-know
This event is part of the Sustainable Earth Forum, which opens the Research Festival 2022 on Friday 24 and Monday 27 June. 
It will take place online using Zoom, with opportunity to interact with the speakers during Q&A sessions. 

It will be of most relevance to those in academia, business or policy with an interest in improving sustainable practices, including sectors like energy, transport, maritime, housing and city planning, environmental conservation, technology, maritime, as well as disciplines such as psychology, sociology, arts and economics.

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Programme

Morning – System synergies and net zero policy


09:15 | Housekeeping and using Zoom
09:30 | Welcome and opening Research Festival 2022 by Professor Chris Bennewith , Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business
09:35 | Introduction to Sustainable Earth 2022 by Professor Will Blake , Director of Sustainable Earth Institute
09:40 | Re-purposing universities for the net zero challenge by Professor Iain Stewart MBE , Professor of Geoscience Communication
10:05 | Systems thinking at the University of Plymouth by Professor Melanie Austen , Professor of Ocean and Society and Head of the Centre for Systems Thinking: Ocean, Land and Society
10:30 | Break

Session 1

Chaired by Professor Will Blake , Director of the Sustainable Earth Institute
10:40 | Overview of the UK’s Net Zero Policy by Estelle Limon, Policy and Impact Co-ordinator at Regen, followed by Q&A
11:10 | Net zero policy briefings at the University of Plymouth
10 minute talks on current research projects and collaborations taking place at the University of Plymouth towards the net zero carbon agenda.
12:00 | Panel Q&A with previous speakers
12:20 | Lunch

Afternoon – Clean growth and the South West

Session 2

Chaired by Dr Ian Selby , Director of Sustainable Geoscience at the University of Plymouth
14:00 | Clean growth – what does the future for the South West look like?
10 minute talks from University of Plymouth staff and invited partner organisations
14:40 | Panel Q&A with previous speakers
15:00 | Break

Session 3

Chaired by Professor Iain Stewart MBE , Professor of Geoscience Communication
15:15 | Keynote: Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE, Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) at the University of Bath
15:45 | Clean growth – engaging and empowering the local community
10 min talks from University of Plymouth researchers
16:15 | Panel Q&A with speakers
16:30 | Concluding address
Michael Lewis, CEO of E.ON

Keynote: Michael Lewis

CEO of E.ON
Michael joined E.ON UK as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2017, having worked in the energy industry for over 25 years. His experience includes working in technical and environmental roles, before moving into corporate strategy and development. In 2002, he moved to E.ON’s headquarters in Düsseldorf as Vice President Corporate Development. In 2007, Michael was appointed Managing Director for Europe on the Board of E.ON Climate and Renewables, before becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2012 where he was responsible for global wind power development, construction and operations, and became CEO of E.ON Climate and Renewables in 2015.
Michael is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE).
Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, University of Bath

Keynote: Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE

Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) at the University of Bath
Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh is an environmental psychologist, specialising in perceptions and behaviour in relation to climate change, energy and transport. Her research projects have included studies of energy efficiency behaviours, waste reduction and carrier bag reuse, perceptions of smart technologies and electric vehicles, low-carbon lifestyles, and responses to climate change. In addition to holding prestigious grants, Lorraine is also a Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in Working Group II; and regularly advises governmental and other organisations on low-carbon behaviour change and climate change communication.

Our guest speakers

University of Plymouth speakers

This event responds to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Research Festival 2022

24 June – 1 July
The annual Research Festival returned to celebrate curiosity and collaboration, showcasing leading work across disciplines. The week invited fellow academics, industry, policymakers, students and the public to understand how we are responding to global challenges with a systems-thinking approach to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Evolving into an extended edition that now encompasses the popular Sustainable Earth conference, the Research Festival welcomed attendees to hear about cutting-edge research from leading experts and keynote speakers, learning how your research or business could achieve greater impact through co-creation and collaboration, locally and globally.

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