• GreenInfrastructureWeek
6/10 November 2023, all online
Biggest green infrastructure conference & the UK’s official national awareness week
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Why Join

It's focused, exclusive, free and...

We will host a blend of incisive interviews with leaders in climate action, an insightful keynote conference agenda and ‘insider’ deep-dive webinars organised by true net zero policy shapers, and it’s all free because we are only interested in making an impact. Over 1,800 delegates joined us last year. Why wouldn’t you this year?

Inspiring Keynotes

Hear from a range of actors deeply involved in helping the UK transition to net zero with a strong green economy.

Live & Online

Being entirely digital makes you and us greener and every session has a live delegate Q&A.

Insider Insights

Get the latest net zero policy and solution-based insights from our green infrastructure partner-led events.

Free of Charge

We believe those tackling climate change and helping the transition to net zero should be supported, not charged.

BINARY CARBON

About the Event

Energy Security & Green Infrastructure Week is the biggest green infrastructure conference and the UK’s official national awareness week - we are back for year two. We bring together all the stakeholders needed to deliver the green infrastructure we require to reach net zero by 2050, and to ensure Britain’s energy is both secure and affordable. Get involved in this focused, exclusive, online conference and hear from a wide range of experts sharing insight and commentary from academics, scientists, policy influencers, trade associations and solution providers. In 2022, we had over 1,800 delegates across the week. Join Us this Year.

2023 CONFERENCE DAYS

Event Agenda

Interview with Zion Lights, Founder, Emergency Reactor.
  • 09:00 - 09:30 GMT
  • Interviewer, Andy Walker, Climate Perspectives
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

Interview with Zion Lights, Founder, Emergency Reactor.

In the first of our series of morning leadership interviews, Andy Walker from Climate Perspectives will talk to Zion Lights about leadership and why it matters in the fight against climate change? How can individuals make a difference and what are the key challenges facing sustainability leaders? Zion is an internationally sought-after speaker on science communication and environmental activism. She has a long history of environmental and science writing and has written for many national newspapers and magazines. Zion has been involved in climate action for over a decade. She played a core role in Extinction Rebellion’s UK media and messaging team where she founded the climate reporting newspaper The Hourglass and became a high-profile spokesperson for the campaign group.

Interview with Adrian Del Maestro, Global Energy Advisory Lead, AECOM
  • 10:00 - 10:30 GMT
  • Interviewer, Andy Walker, Climate Perspectives
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

Interview with Adrian Del Maestro, Global Energy Advisory Lead, AECOM

In this second Climate Perspectives interview, Andy Walker will interview AECOM’s global energy advisory lead Adrian Del Maestro about leadership in his sector and amongst wider audiences. At AECOM, Adrian advises a portfolio of clients ranging from utilities, oil and gas companies to low carbon players, start-ups and investors and covers a range of areas including low carbon investments (such as EV charging, hydrogen and carbon capture), energy security, ESG and navigating the energy transition. As a result, he’s well placed to discuss leadership and address key questions. Those questions include - What are the key challenges in combatting the climate crisis and meeting net zero targets? Will economic challenges derail our efforts to do the right thing? Is there a danger that the government/s will backtrack on their commitments in the face of economic challenges? Is industry doing enough? Will the skills and resources gap be an impediment to combatting climate change?

Interview with Tom Burke, Co-founder & Chair, E3G
  • 11:00 - 11:30 GMT
  • Interviewer, Andy Walker, Climate Perspectives
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

Interview with Tom Burke, Co-founder & Chair, E3G

Our third Climate Perspectives leadership interview features Tom Burke, the co-founder and chair of E3G, the climate change think tank. E3G is an independent climate change think tank with a global outlook and works on the frontier of the climate landscape tackling the barriers and advancing the solutions to a safe climate. Given that E3G’s goal is to translate climate politics, economics and policies into action, Tom Burke is ideally placed to offer his thoughts on climate leadership. As someone who has been a senior environmental advisor in government and business and who ran the Green Alliance and Friends of the Earth earlier in his career, Tom’s thoughts should be well worth listening to.

INSIDER WEBINAR | Identifying Skills for the Net Zero Transition
  • 12:00 - 13:00 GMT
  • Hosted by Swathi Mukundan, Postdoctoral researcher, C-DICE.
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

INSIDER WEBINAR | Identifying Skills for the Net Zero Transition

What skills do businesses need for the Net-Zero transition? This interactive workshop will work as a focus group with the participants, in order to provide a deep and holistic understanding of the skills and knowledge needed for industries to transition effectively toward Net Zero, ultimately contributing to a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

KEYNOTE CONFERENCE | Energy Trilemma: How do we deliver clean, secure and affordable energy for the rest of the century?
  • 09:00 - 10:30 GMT
  • Chair, Andy Walker
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

KEYNOTE CONFERENCE | Energy Trilemma: How do we deliver clean, secure and affordable energy for the rest of the century?

Opening address by Rt Hon Chris Skidmore MP, Chair - Net Zero Review (Mission Zero), former Energy Minister and Ambassador for Energy Security & Green Infrastructure Week. This opening panel-session of our event will look at the crucial issue of how we deliver clean, secure and affordable energy over the coming decades. Our expert speakers will cover a range of issues which are key to addressing the above question. Lincoln Hill, director of policy and external affairs at the Nuclear Industry Association will look at why nuclear needs to be part of the solution to reduce dependence on imported gas and how how we execute a mass rollout of nuclear, so that it is as fast and efficient as possible. Andrew Deeley, director of strategy and development at the Low Carbon Contracts Company will highlight how the contract for differences (CfD) system is a powerful policy tool which can empower the renewables industry by incentivising private investment and what needs to be done to ensure that the CfD system meets future investor, consumer and market needs. Professor Seamus D. Garvey, professor of dynamics at Nottingham University will discuss how a blended approach to energy storage, using many technologies, can better lower UK energy costs as well as being beneficial for export opportunities. Charlotte Morton, chief executive of the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association will focus on the role that ‘green gas’ can play in delivering affordable and sustainable energy.

KEYNOTE CONFERENCE | CCUS: How far have we come? What’s next?
  • 10:45 - 11:25 GMT
  • Chair, Andy Walker
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

KEYNOTE CONFERENCE | CCUS: How far have we come? What’s next?

In October 2017, the government announced its new approach to carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) in the Clean Growth Strategy. The approach is designed to enable the UK to become a global technology leader for CCUS and ensure that the government has the option of deploying CCUS at scale during the 2030s, subject to costs coming down sufficiently. The government has set out action under three themes - reaffirming its commitment to deploying CCUS in the UK subject to cost reduction, international collaboration on CCUS and helping to drive CCUS innovation. Our expert panel of speakers will discuss how far we have come with CCUS and what’s next for the sector. John Picken, business development director for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries EMEA, will offer his thoughts on carbon capture based on his company’s experience of over 30 years in CCS and running commercial CCS plants since 1999 across a dozen sites around the world and we’ll also be joined by Olivia Powis, UK director of the Carbon Capture & Storage Association, who will offer her perspectives. Chris Thackeray, deputy director for CCUS at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will look at the lessons of the government’s CCUS programme.

KEYNOTE CONFERENCE | Infrastructure Resilience: How do we secure our green energy infrastructure against rising risks?
  • 11:40 - 12:30 GMT
  • Chair, Andy Walker
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

KEYNOTE CONFERENCE | Infrastructure Resilience: How do we secure our green energy infrastructure against rising risks?

In an increasingly risky and uncertain world, with global conflict and geopolitical tensions on the increase, securing green energy infrastructure against rising risks is ever more important and a key imperative for all those involved in major energy infrastructure projects. Our expert speakers in this session will tackle all aspects of this crucial issue and consider the steps that need to be taken now and in the future to ensure that infrastructure is made resilient. Warren Pimm, chair of the investment advisory board at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction will address the various business, macroeconomic, climate, and geopolitical risks that need to be considered in building more resilience in organisations for shareholders, employees, communities, and customers. Dr Emily Wallace, fellow in weather and climate extremes at the Met Office will look at why an understanding of weather and climate is becoming critical to energy security and the resilience of green infrastructure and whether there is sufficient quality weather and climate data to support energy companies in building a greener and sustainable energy sector. Marc Lehmann, head of climate analytics - climate risk and resilience at Howden Group will examine how the sector can better equip itself to better understand the evolving risks it faces and seek the solutions to help absorb some of the potential shocks in future – and crucially, what those shocks might be? Ben Grunfeld, strategy and growth director at Electricity North West will look at the importance of building infrastructure resilience in electricity distribution to withstand both structural changes in supply and demand and also changes in climate conditions.

INSIDER WEBINAR | What would it take for hydrogen to have a place in the UK’s net zero energy future?
  • 13:00 - 14:00 GMT
  • Hosted by Dr Victoria Hands, Sustainability Director, The Open University
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

INSIDER WEBINAR | What would it take for hydrogen to have a place in the UK’s net zero energy future?

Decarbonising our current energy economy is a critical challenge faced by the UK on the road to net zero. But how do we do this and create a new net zero energy economy? What would it look like? And what would it take for energy sources such as hydrogen to have a place in the UK’s future energy mix? Join us, The Open University, during Energy Security & Green Infrastructure Week for an exciting event where we will discuss the prospects and potential solutions that hydrogen use could provide when taking on this challenge.

INSIDER WEBINAR | How Early Career Researchers Can Help to Decarbonise Your Business
  • 13:00 - 14:00 GMT
  • Hosted by Rabee Jibrin, Energy Research Accelerator
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

INSIDER WEBINAR | How Early Career Researchers Can Help to Decarbonise Your Business

This webinar is for people from industry and the public sector who want to know how to work with doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to tackle decarbonisation challenges in their businesses or infrastructure projects. We will highlight how engaging with early career researchers can provide insights into solutions to decarbonise the infrastructure and energy economy. The event will use the case study of the 2023 Birmingham Decarbonisation Summer School, where postgraduate researchers from 11 UK universities came together to propose a decarbonisation plan for the Birmingham-Peterborough rail line.

INSIDER WEBINAR | The Future of Fusion
  • 14:00 - 15:30 GMT
  • Hosted by Dr Hanni Lux, UK Atomic Energy Authority
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

INSIDER WEBINAR | The Future of Fusion

As we enter the fusion delivery era, our speakers discuss the leading role that the UK is taking to ensure that fusion will work alongside other forms of sustainable energy. At the heart of the UK’s fusion strategy is the STEP prototype powerplant that will put fusion-generated electricity on the grid in the 2040s. On the way, creating new jobs and skills, developing infrastructure and inspiring generations to come. And because we’re serious about scaling up fusion energy, the UK is taking a leading role in putting the right regulations in place. We’ll explain how to set up regulations that protect workers, the public and the environment while at the same time allow fusion powerplants to be sited, built and operated on the timescales needed to address the world’s energy needs.

INSIDER WEBINAR | AD and Net Zero: The Vital Role of Small On-Farm AD sector in a Renewable Energy Future
  • 14:30 - 16:00 GMT
  • Hosted by Chris Huhne, Chair, ADBA
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

INSIDER WEBINAR | AD and Net Zero: The Vital Role of Small On-Farm AD sector in a Renewable Energy Future

Decarbonising the UK's energy system affordably and securely requires maximising the potential of homegrown renewable technologies like anaerobic digestion (AD). Crucially, AD biomethane can decarbonise without requiring end-user change or new infrastructure. Small on-farm AD has a vital role in this, enabling distributed renewable gas production while supporting circular agriculture. However, progress for small AD has been constrained by financial and grid barriers. Overcoming these can allow small AD to grow as part of a diverse, resilient UK biomethane supply. This webinar will analyse pathways to maximise on-farm AD's contribution to energy security and Net Zero through technology, infrastructure, and strategic policy support.

INSIDER WEBINAR | Fuelling the Future: Britain’s big nuclear fuel opportunity
  • 15:00 - 16:00 GMT
  • Hosted by Lincoln Hill, Nuclear Industry Association
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

INSIDER WEBINAR | Fuelling the Future: Britain’s big nuclear fuel opportunity

The UK has a golden opportunity to be at the forefront of the nuclear fuels sector. Ensuring Britain has a sovereign capability to manufacture the next generation of nuclear fuels in vital for energy security and net zero. It will strengthen the wider supply chain and open up export opportunities, helping us reclaim our place as world leaders in the sector and reduce reliance on Russia. Join us on November 8th for our Green Infrastructure Week webinar where we will discuss what the UK needs to do to rekindle its nuclear fuel capabilities on a domestic and global stage.

KEYNOTE CONFERENCE | Public Charging: How do we get the right EV charging, in the right place, and ensure it’s equitable?
  • 09:00 - 09:40 GMT
  • Chair, Andy Walker
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

KEYNOTE CONFERENCE | Public Charging: How do we get the right EV charging, in the right place, and ensure it’s equitable?

With electric vehicles becoming an ever more common sight on the nation’s roads the question of how to achieve the right EV charging, in the right place and ensure that it is equitable and affordable are all key questions that need to be addressed if we are to grow the numbers of EV users and help to achieve net zero targets. In this session, our expert speakers will address these crucial questions. Professor Colin Herron of the Faraday Institution North East office and the North East Battery Alliance, School of Engineering, Newcastle University will look at just what is the appropriate/viable UK charging infrastructure for the expected number of registrations in a city or region at a point in time and whether we have a handle on what that really is. Juliet Flamank, charging infrastructure lead at the Green Finance Institute, will examine how we facilitate the flow of finance required to fund the appropriate and necessary charging infrastructure required for a just transition and look at the barriers to investment, the models and products that could help overcome these barriers and what the sector could look like in ten years’ time. Councillor Mete Coban MBE, cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport at Hackney Borough Council will talk about how the council has become a national leader in EV charging and its work to provide and operate its sector-defining charge point rollout of 2,500 fast and slow chargers across the borough’s seven square miles.

KEYNOTE CONFERENCE | Onsite Power: Is an onsite power purchase agreement right for you? How will you power your EV fleet?
  • 10:00 - 10:40 GMT
  • Chair, Andy Walker
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

KEYNOTE CONFERENCE | Onsite Power: Is an onsite power purchase agreement right for you? How will you power your EV fleet?

Onsite Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are a contract between a project developer (and likely backed by a financial counterparty) and a retailer. The project developer owns, operates, and maintains the renewable system for a term of typically 15-25 years while the retailer agrees to pay for all the system production at a fixed price for the life of the agreement. Our expert speakers in this session will take a closer look at the whole area of onsite power and the use of PPAs and examine whether going down the PPA route is right for a business. We’ll also look at how companies should best power their EV fleets. Daniel Levene, co-founder of Two Blues Solar will outline the key factors to consider when deciding whether solar can deliver benefit for your business as well as the types of organisations for whom an on-site PPA is best suited. Mike Nugent, head of Europe for Hitachi ZeroCarbon, will highlight why battery management is so important, from charging optimisation through to driver behaviour and why deploying a new energy system to vehicles requires a systemic approach to deployment and operation. Guto Davies, director of policy at the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) will offer his views on the need for businesses to consider retrofitting onsite solar and EV charging, plus the need for new build projects to draw in these elements from the initial stages.

KEYNOTE CONFERENCE | Natural Capital: How important are nature-based solutions in the response to climate change?
  • 11:00 - 11:40 GMT
  • Chair, Andy Walker
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

KEYNOTE CONFERENCE | Natural Capital: How important are nature-based solutions in the response to climate change?

In the UK and indeed globally there is growing interest in ‘nature-positive’ infrastructure development to help drive change in the sector. These nature-based solutions have the potential to complement, or in some cases, even replace traditional or ‘grey’ infrastructure and help combat climate change and enable countries to meet net zero targets. Faced with a dual threat of climate change and global biodiversity loss, infrastructure developers, designers and providers are under growing pressure to move from ‘no net loss’ to ‘nature-positive’ infrastructure development. Our panellists in this session will take a look at all that and examine the importance of nature-based solutions and the key role they can play in responding to climate change. Ed Beard, assistant director at the National Infrastructure Commission, will set out the NIC’s view of priorities for climate change adaptation including highlights from its Surface Water Flooding study published in 2022 and the second National Infrastructure Assessment published on 18 October 2023. John Halsall, an environmental lead at Amey, will look at how we can effectively build in climate resilience, reduced embodied and operational carbon and creation of legacy for communities through nature-based solutions and examine how infrastructure owners like National Highways and Network Rail can accelerate actions in addressing global mega trends. Eleanor Harris, natural capital and carbon leader at Galbraith, will talk about the Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS) initiative which addresses one of the key natural capital questions - how to fund change? Eleanor will outline the range of approaches being taken, including in her own FIRNS project.

INSIDER WEBINAR | HS2’s Old Oak Common Station: A Green Super-hub in the Heart of London
  • 12:30 - 13:30 GMT
  • Hosted by Andrea Davidson, Head of Environmental Sciences, HS2 Ltd
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

INSIDER WEBINAR | HS2’s Old Oak Common Station: A Green Super-hub in the Heart of London

Join us for an exclusive event as part of Green Infrastructure Week, where we'll take you on a journey through the sustainable build, design, and operation of Old Oak Common Station. A station which was recently awarded an ‘outstanding’ rating by BREEAM; putting it in the top 1% of buildings in the world for its eco-friendly credentials. Key Highlights: - Welcome to HS2 and Old Oak Common: A brief introduction to HS2 and Old Oak Common station and its pivotal role in the project. - Designing for a Greener Tomorrow: Delve into the innovative design principles that make Old Oak Common a beacon of eco-conscious architecture. - Sustainable Build: Learn about the construction processes, materials, and technologies employed to build an environmentally responsible station. - Operational Sustainability: Discover how the station operates with minimal ecological impact, from energy-efficient systems to waste reduction initiatives. - Q&A Session: Engage with our panel of experts during a live Q&A session. Ask questions, share your thoughts, and be part of the conversation about the future of green infrastructure in the UK.

INSIDER WEBINAR | On-Site Solar For Your Business: Key Considerations and Funding Models
  • 14:00 - 14:30 GMT
  • Rachel Stark, Commercial Director, Two Blues Solar
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

INSIDER WEBINAR | On-Site Solar For Your Business: Key Considerations and Funding Models

Join us if you're exploring solar for your business and would like to learn more about the key factors to consider and the possibility of financing it via a Power Purchase Agreement. Two Blues Solar helps energy-intensive businesses access the cost and carbon savings associated with solar, without any capital outlay required. We fund 100% of the procurement, installation, and ongoing maintenance of commercial solar panels.

INSIDER WEBINAR | Green Infrastructure – The (Not So) Secret Ingredient to Deliver Cost Effective, Climate Resilient Places for People and Nature
  • 14:00 - 15:00 GMT
  • Dr Gemma Jerome FLI, Director, Building with Nature
  • Live, Online + Delegate Q&A

INSIDER WEBINAR | Green Infrastructure – The (Not So) Secret Ingredient to Deliver Cost Effective, Climate Resilient Places for People and Nature

The need to deliver a robust practical response to the climate, biodiversity and public health crises has never been more pressing. Better placemaking can enable the built environment to support positive local responses to the climate, biodiversity and public health crises, creating places that are good for people and the natural world, fostering community wellbeing, encouraging active lifestyles and improving the environment. High-quality green infrastructure plays a critical role in placemaking, offering a nature-led design approach that delivers biodiversity gains, nature recovery and climate resilient development, whilst also delivering healthy, inclusive communities at a neighbourhood and landscape-scale, with practical and impactful nature-based solutions. This webinar will demystify the functions and benefits of green infrastructure as a practical solution to deliver quality of life and environmental benefits. By looking at a series of case studies, and reflecting on standards to support the design and delivery of green infrastructure, this webinar will explore how the role of ‘green’ infrastructure - including, street trees, allotments, private gardens, green roofs and walls, sustainable drainage systems (suds) and soils - and ‘blue’ infrastructure - including rivers, streams, canals and other water bodies - offer practical, nature-based solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing cities and towns including extreme heat, flooding and drought, air pollution, water pollution, and unequal access to quality green spaces.

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