Expert Workshop 2024
Key challenges and potential solutions on the road to net zero.
31st October 2024, London
Governments and companies the world over have pledged ambitions to play their part in achieving net zero emissions, and in many cases have developed and initiated transition plans. This is certainly the case in the energy sector, which has a key role to play given the historical impact of fossil fuels, the significant innovation capability within the energy sector, and the engineering expertise and experience on hand. Governments and climate activists have frequently targeted the energy sector with protests and ever-higher tax revenues, but consumer behaviours are yet to change in ways that will be needed.
Many organisations are now several years into transition plans and are starting to encounter obstacles and roadblocks that were not foreseen when the plans were implemented. Energy security has become a higher priority for governments since the beginning of the Russian war in Ukraine, with gas price spikes in Europe leading to rampant inflation, and a cost-of-living crisis. Gas is increasingly attractive in supplementing baseload power, where nuclear projects have suffered from delays and cost overruns. Uncertain project economics have also beset offshore wind projects, particularly in the US. Electric vehicle and heat pump adoption has been slower than could otherwise have been, with consumer anxieties not yet addressed by technological advances. Additionally, trade barriers and protectionism have prevented the lowest-cost products from reaching all markets.
2024 is also a year of significant government elections in both Europe and the USA where countries are still grappling with the aftermath of both COVID and the energy crisis and are now looking to address the significant costs associated with achieving net zero.
WPC Energy’s UK National Committee has brought together industry experts to consider some of the key challenges that have arisen, how these are being solved or how they might be resolved, and what impact this will have on the world’s desire to move away from the use of hydrocarbons as the primary source of energy production.
Programme:
14.30 - Registration and networking
15.00 - Introduction from the Chair
David Holtam, Deloitte/WPC Energy UK National Committee
15.15 - The road to Net Zero – where are we now?
Bill Farren Price, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies
15.45 - Refreshment break
16.15 - Group Debate
Moderator: Andrea Stauber, King & Spalding
Speakers:
- Francesca Bell, Offshore Energies UK
- Charles Craven, Investec
- Bill Farren Price, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies
17.15 - Closing remarks from the chair
17.30 - Drinks reception and networking
