COP26 & beyond... the pathway to Net Zero

 

After the dust has settled following COP26, this half day conference will consider the main outcomes of the summit, the implications of the key commitments and pledges, discuss what was missing and debate the next steps.

Four in depth sessions will explore the opportunities and challenges for the extractive industries, foundation industries

advanced manufacturing & materials applications and research & innovation with a cross-sector panel of senior academic and industry leaders covering aerospace, metals, ceramics, mining, construction, resource management and research.

The final two sessions will explore what was missing at COP26 and discuss what’s next and needed to maintain the momentum and deliver the vital transition to a low carbon, resource efficient future.

Programme

Time         Speaker and Session
 

09:00
 
       
Reflecting on COP26 
Dr Emma Wilcox, Chief Executive, Society for the Environment & IOM3 Sustainable Development Group Chair 
A summary and recap of the climate summit held in Glasgow last November including the key outcomes, commitments, and pledges.
 

09:20
 
       
Opportunities and challenges for the extractive industries 
Christian Spano, Director, innovation, International Council on Mining and Metals 
and Ian Bowbrick, Director of Membership and Professional Standards, IOM3

The extractive industries will play a vital role in the transition to net zero. The speakers will consider the key challenges and opportunities for the sector from transitioning to electric and hydrogen-powered technologies, new coal commitments, the changing demand for critical raw materials, delivering the global methane pledge and the role of finance.  
 

09:50
 
         

Opportunities and challenges for the foundation industries 
Dr Laura Cohen, Chief Executive, British Ceramics Confederation 
With the typical kiln operating lifetimes of 25 – 40 years, access to low carbon compatible infrastructure and equipment is needed by at least 2025 to keep the sector on track to reach net zero by 2050. Exploring the opportunities and challenges for the ceramics sector, this session will explore what’s needed to switch from firing with natural gas to hydrogen, bioenergy or electricity particularly for the many manufacturing sites located way from designated hydrogen and CCUS clusters. The challenges presented by the recent energy crisis and remaining internationally competitive will be shared, along with what the sector needs from Government.  

Chris McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Materials Processing Institute 
Speed is also of the essence for the steel sector with investment decisions under time pressure to enable the journey to net zero by 2050. This session will explore opportunities such as UK scrap consumption, international supply chains and protecting the internal market as well as challenges of access to materials, development of alternative energy technologies and funding. 


10:20
 
         

Opportunities and challenges for advanced manufacturing & materials applications  
Neil Glover, Head of Materials Research, Rolls-Royce & IOM3 President 
With significant growth expected for the global aviation industry and the impacts of the COVID19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to build the industry back greener. This session will explore the materials and manufacturing opportunities and challenges for aerospace including alternative aviation fuels and innovative new aircraft technologies. 

Dr Flavie Lowres, Director, Green Thinking Limited & IOM3 Construction Materials Group Chair 
Responsible for a significant proportion of carbon emissions, the construction sector faces major changes to ensure it stays on the pathway to net zero and moves towards a sustainable future. This session will explore the steps required including a reduction first approach, low carbon materials and processes, switching to zero-emissions vehicles and the role of collaboration across the supply chain.


10:50
 
       
Break

11:10
       
Opportunities and challenges for research & innovation  
Professor Mark Jolly, Professor and Director of Manufacturing, Cranfield University 
Professor Serena Cussen, Head of Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield 
A collaborative, inclusive and multi-disciplinary approach is required to ensure solutions for adaptation and mitigation are successfully delivered.  In the final challenges and opportunities session, the speakers will discuss what COP26 means for research and innovation and explore their role in understanding the problem and delivering solutions that are scalable, sustainable and will deliver meaningful progress.  
 

11:40
 
       
What was missing at COP26? 
Dr Adam Read, Director of External Affairs, SUEZ 
Although consumption and the circular economy were raised by speakers across sessions in the Blue and Green Zones, the issues of consumption, resource use and waste management were noticeably missing from the main COP26 agenda or at the large number of official fringe events. This session will explore the crucial, but often overlooked, role resource efficiency has to play in meeting our climate targets and how to ensure it has a seat at the policy top table.  
 

12:00
 
       
Panel discussion 
The panel session will be an opportunity for important cross-sector discussion and provide delegates with the chance to pose further questions to speakers.  
 

12:30
 
       
What’s next?  
Dr Colin Church CEO, IOM3 interviewed by Rachel Stonehouse Policy Research Fellow, IOM3 
This Q&A session will explore what’s next following COP26 for professionals in materials, minerals and mining.  
 

12:50
 
       
Close/Networking

This event offers in-person tickets as well as live streaming options. All those registered will also receive access to the recordings of the event.

Speakers