BusinessGreen Leaders Summit: Jo Swinson to set out 'climate emergency' programme

BusinessGreen staff
clock • 3 min read

Lib Dem leader to deliver major speech on the net zero transition at October 23rd Summit

BusinessGreen can today announce Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson is to give one of the keynote speeches at this year's BusinessGreen Leaders Summit, in which she will set out how a "climate emergency programme" could accelerate the UK's net zero transition.

Following her election as Party Leader this summer, Swinson confirmed the Party would seek to pull the UK's net zero emission target forward from 2050 to 2045 and has backed a raft of policies designed to drastically beef up decarbonisation efforts.

In her first major speech on the environment and the green economy since becoming Party Leader, Swinson will set out how an emergency programme of investment in renewables and energy efficiency could bring down emissions much faster in pursuit of a 2045 net zero target date.

"The climate emergency is one of the biggest challenges we face, and we have to make sure that we are doing everything we can to protect our planet for future generations," said a Lib Dem spokesperson. "Our ambitious plan to tackle the climate emergency will bring emissions down quickly and make sure we are net zero by 2045."

Swinson joins a stellar line up of speakers for the third annual BusinessGreen Leaders Summit, which will bring together over 250 top green business executives on October 23rd at The Crystal in Docklands.

The opening address will be delivered by former Energy and Clean Growth Minister and President of the COP26 Summit, Claire Perry O'Neill, who will provide an insight into preparations for the crucial UN Summit and explore how the business community can help seize the opportunities presented by the global event.

The line-up also features a lecture on the history of climate change from Dr Alice Bell, a presentation on the quest for net zero energy from leading clean tech entrepreneur Jeremy Leggett, and an update on the latest 'Green Brexit' plans from Greener UK chair Shaun Spiers. They will join representatives from across the business community, including top executives from IKEA, Quorn, Ryanair, Ørsted, Terracycle, headline sponsor Centrica, and many others.

There are a handful of delegate passes still available for the Summit and sustainability executives are advised to register their place as soon as possible. Thanks to the support of our headline sponsors Centrica and panel sponsors Ørsted, green economy stakeholder can reserve their place free of charge.

The finalisation of the speaker programme for the Summit comes as BusinessGreen also confirmed that former npower boss and board advisor to Habitat Energy Paul Massara is to deliver the closing keynote at this autumn's BusinessGreen Technology Festival. Massara will provide an audience of clean tech developers, investors, and corporate executives with his insights on how to nurture an innovation culture.

He joins a line-up that also features an opening keynote from chair of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt, former head of sustainable business at Marks & Spencer, Mike Barry, and a host of top green investors and entrepreneurs.

Tickets are now available for the event priced from just £99 per person. You can find out more about the Festival and accompanying BusinessGreen Technology Awards through the video below.

 

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