More than 150 representatives from government, local authorities, businesses, housing organisations and community groups gathered in Manchester to explore how the UK can accelerate its transition to clean energy while ensuring communities are involved in the process.
The Energising Britain North West event, organised by the North West Net Zero Hub and hosted at Sister, formed part of the national Energising Britain programme led by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). The programme supports the Government’s ambition to make the UK a clean energy superpower.
Katie White OBE MP, Minister of State at DESNZ, delivered the keynote address, joining organisations from across the North West to discuss how clean energy infrastructure and decarbonisation projects can be delivered at pace while maintaining public trust and engagement.
The event focused on one of the central challenges facing the transition to net zero: ensuring that communities are not only consulted about the changes taking place around them, but are given meaningful opportunities to participate and benefit from the transition.
Contributors included Liverpool FC, Together Housing, Futureproof Cumbria and Carbon Co-op, which shared examples of climate action and community engagement. Delegates also heard from Mike Berners-Lee, Chair of the National Emergency Briefing, as well as representatives from IPPR, Climate Outreach and the National Storytelling Exchange.
Discussions explored the role of culture, faith, young people and local communities in supporting the transition to net zero. An interactive marketplace also gave organisations the opportunity to showcase projects, exchange ideas and establish new partnerships.
Representatives from Great British Energy, Electricity North West, SP Energy Networks, the National Wealth Fund, Green Finance Institute, Community Energy England and the Carbon Literacy Project were among those involved.
James Johnson, Head of Regional Programme at North West Net Zero Hub, said the event provided an important opportunity for organisations to learn from experts and strengthen public participation in the clean energy transition.
He praised the team behind the event and said delegates had left with “lots of ideas and plenty of optimism”.
Andy King, Director of Clean Energy and Net Zero at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said events such as Energising Britain were essential to delivering the clean energy transition at the required scale and pace.
He also praised Minister Katie White for her contribution, noting that she spent significant time speaking with exhibitors during the marketplace.
The event concluded with a session led by Climate Outreach, looking ahead to what a successful transition could look like by 2050 and identifying the actions needed today to achieve that ambition.
Following the event, delegates continued discussions at a People, Planet, Pint networking session, strengthening relationships between organisations across different sectors.
The event highlighted the growing importance of collaboration, effective communication and community involvement as the UK works towards a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy future.
