Accelerate to Net Zero: UK and Europe

Catch up on the Carbon Trust’s annual Accelerate to Net Zero event series focusing on turning ambition into concrete action.

New initiatives such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the UK’s Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT), make climate action and reporting a growing focus for businesses across Europe. To realise their climate goals, organisations must create a robust plan to transition to Net Zero and shift their business models at high speed and scale.
 

Building upon our 20 years of experience as a climate consultancy, the Carbon Trust’s ‘Accelerate to Net Zero: UK/Europe’ event delved into the different elements of planning this transition. From target setting to implementation, it was an opportunity to hear directly from climate leaders and Carbon Trust experts across Europe as they shared how they are overcoming the barriers to their Net Zero transition.


We kicked off with thought provoking keynote speakers including the Carbon Trust’s newly appointed CEO, Chris Stark and Laura Clarke OBE, CEO of ClientEarth. We then moved into sector specific stages to reflect on the opening discussion followed by a deeper dive into transition planning challenges and opportunities.


Please watch each of the event online stages below.

 

Opening plenary

The Carbon Trust's newly appointed CEO, Chris Stark opened the event, followed by a keynote from Laura Clarke OBE, CEO of ClientEarth. 

Panel: Breaking barriers: How can transition planning align the Net Zero journey with other organisational priorities?

Despite the critical need to drive progress towards Net Zero, businesses face many competing priorities when setting their level of climate ambition internally. Various factors influence professionals’ decision making process, including pressure from shareholders, investors, customers, governments and regulators, as well as financial and economic considerations. The panel focused on how transition planning relates to one of the key findings from the Carbon Trust recent report into the barriers corporate sustainability decision makers face on the journey to Net Zero; making the internal business case. 

Speakers: 

  • Nina Foster, Communications and Research, Senior Manager, the Carbon Trust
  • Benj Sykes, Vice President, Head of Environment, Orsted 
  • Danielle Mulder, Sustainability Director, BBC Group
  • Tillmann Silber, Head of Net Zero, Barry Callebaut

 

Agriculture, food and drink stage

Panel: How is the agriculture, food and drink sector embracing new regulatory changes and seizing opportunities for climate action in 2024? 

This panel discussion explored the impact of CSRD, TCFD and reporting frameworks on the sectors’ climate action plans. Hear from experts from businesses accelerating to Net Zero and leading their supply chains and customers in the process. 

Speakers: 

  • Tom Cumberlege, Director in Business Services, the Carbon Trust 
  • Joanne Grace, Head of ESG Governance and Reporting, Glanbia plc 
  • Lynne Bell, Sustainability Manager, Greggs 
  • Nicholas Mazzei, Vice President Sustainability - Europe, DP World 
  • Tiphanie Aires, Senior Consultant, the Carbon Trust 
  • Toby Kwan, Senior Manager Sustainable Finance, the Carbon Trust

 

 

Manufacturing stage

Panel: Getting started on Scope 3 footprinting and decarbonisation — navigating the complexities of your value chain. 

Our panellists from across pharma, chemical, and apparel explored the complexities of decarbonising the value chain. The discussion went through transition planning covering topics to include: defining scope and boundaries, data collection priorities, methodology and tools, communication and improvement, all with a focus on action! 

Speakers: 

  • Richard Henderson, Director Sustainability - Reporting and Assurance, GSK 
  • Jose Arguedas, Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, River Island 
  • Laerke Kristensen, Sustainability and ESG Manager, LEO Pharma
  • Anna Raffaelli, Regional Manager, DACH, the Carbon Trust
  • Christine Davies, Associate, the Carbon Trust

 

 

Infrastructure stage

Panel: Gearing up for change — effective transition planning and collaboration to achieve Net Zero 

Guest speakers from three key sectors — energy, ICT, and construction – shared front-line experience and insights on issues covering:

  • Key elements of corporate transition planning and strategy – assessing risks/opportunities, roadmaps, and creating the case for change
  • Factors critical to successful implementation — from financing to engagement 
  • Value chain and sectoral collaboration — from data to innovation 

Speakers: 

  • Pia Tanskanen, Head of Environment, ESG, Nokia 
  • Ian Heasman, Director of Sustainability, Taylor Wimpey 
  • Christie Paterson, Senior Sustainability Manager, Iberdrola Offshore Renewables
  • Aleyn Smith-Gillespie, Proposition Architecture Director, the Carbon Trust
  • Bob Burgoyne, Associate Director, the Carbon Trust

 

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