Live at Labour 24

Our first UK party conference, in Liverpool.

Can the UK reclaim leadership in climate technology, sustainability, and innovation?

Our guests included:

* Andrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough

* Christian Hernandez, Founder, 2150.vc

* Buffy Price, Co-founder and CEO, Carbon Re

* Orla Shields, CEO and Founder, Kamma

* Anna Bazely, Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Enoda

* Paul McNamee, Director and Founder, Labour Climate and Environment Forum (LCEF)

Key Discussion Points:

* The Role of Private Sector Innovation in DecarbonizationChristian Hernandez from 2150 highlights the critical role private sector investors and startups play in accelerating climate solutions. He emphasizes the importance of deploying existing, scalable technologies—like heat pumps and energy-efficient infrastructure—while addressing the challenges of turning first-of-its-kind innovations into mainstream solutions. Hernandez also discusses the "time value of carbon," stressing that immediate action will have compounding benefits in the years ahead.

* Public Policy and the Climate AgendaAndrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough, discusses the Labour Party’s focus on green jobs, skills development, and the importance of ensuring that climate action benefits working-class communities. He calls for a "people plan" alongside climate policies, ensuring that new technologies and innovations also create opportunities for workers through skills training and apprenticeships. Pakes advocates for pragmatic policies that deliver visible improvements in communities, from retrofitting homes to revitalizing local economies.

* AI and Decarbonizing IndustryBuffy Price, co-founder of Carbon Re, explains how artificial intelligence can be used to reduce emissions in high-carbon industries like cement. She challenges the over-reliance on long-term solutions like carbon capture and storage, arguing for immediate, scalable technologies that can drive emissions reductions now. Her approach focuses on process efficiencies that can deliver significant carbon savings without the need for costly infrastructure overhauls.

* The Built Environment and Housing CrisisOrla Shields, CEO of Kamma, discusses the complexities of decarbonizing the UK’s housing stock and the potential of using data to better understand and improve energy efficiency in buildings. She underscores the need for reform in how mortgage lenders incentivize retrofitting and the critical role of both public and private sector collaboration in making housing more sustainable. Shields emphasizes that green mortgages and intelligent data can play a crucial role in creating a more energy-efficient built environment.

* Energy Infrastructure and Grid ResilienceAnna Bazely from Enoda speaks to the importance of modernizing the UK’s energy infrastructure to handle the growing demand for renewable energy. She highlights the need for grid-enhancing technologies and regulatory reforms that encourage innovation.

* The Politics of Climate ActionPaul McNamee, head of the Labour Climate and Environment Forum, offers a broader perspective on how Labour can maintain momentum in driving climate policy forward. He speaks to the importance of balancing long-term goals with short-term political realities and the need for effective communication to ensure the public sees the tangible benefits of climate action

Connect

* Twitter: @rdelevan

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richarddelevan/

* Email: info@wickedproblems.uk

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