Net Zero Festival: How to accelerate clean infrastructure deployment post-coronavirus

BusinessGreen staff
clock • 1 min read

VIDEO: National Grid's Nicola Shaw, WSP's David Symons, and Hitachi ABB Power Grids' Ian Funnell discuss the priorities and challenges for building a green Covid-19 recovery

The government has repeatedly tumpeted its desire to "build back greener" from the devastating economic fallout from Covid-19 pandemic, in order to further a green recovery that has the UK's 2050 net zero emissions target at its heart. Green infrastructure investments are therefore set to play a key role in the recovery - but where should governments and businesses be prioritising investments, how much is required, and what are the challenges and opportunities?

To discuss these questions and more, National Grid executive director Nicola Shaw CBE, David Symons, future ready leader at WSP, and Hitachi ABB Power Grids UK & Ireland CEO Ian Funnell joined BusinessGreen editor in chief James Murray for a fascinating discussion ahead of the world's first Net Zero Festival which took place late last month. The wide-ranging conversation can be watch in full above.

All of the panel debates, keynote speeches, and presentations from the world's first Net Zero Festival - which took place over three days from 30 September featuring hundreds of top speakers from business, politics and academia - are now available to watch again on demand through the Net Zero Festival website.

National Grid is a partner of the Net Zero Festival.

More on Infrastructure

Environment Agency: Dry conditions in 2025 led to fewer sewage spills

Environment Agency: Dry conditions in 2025 led to fewer sewage spills

Regulator warns water sector needs sustained maintenance and investment in improved drainage networks to bring lasting improvements

clock 26 March 2026 • 3 min read
ScottishPower secures £600m National Wealth Fund loan for subsea power link project

ScottishPower secures £600m National Wealth Fund loan for subsea power link project

Interconnector cable linking Scotland's abundant wind power with homes and businesses England is earmarked to come online in 2034

Michael Holder
clock 25 March 2026 • 4 min read
Metering reforms allow millions of homes and businesses to provide flexible grid services

Metering reforms allow millions of homes and businesses to provide flexible grid services

NESO confirms changes to rules that mean millions of households and offices with an EV charger, heat pump or battery can save money by helping balance the electricity network  

Stuart Stone
clock 19 March 2026 • 4 min read