INNOVATION ZERO: Opportunity and New Chances to Grow from London

This month, the ever-energetic Arnold Schwarzenegger called for more urgent action around the global climate emergency. Speaking at an event in Austria, he said that lives depend on progress and advancement in the fight against climate crisis. His calls came after the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) announced last year that there was a 66% likelihood of the world breaking targeted 1.5°C temperature increases.

Governments, countries, companies, and people have mostly heard the call of the scientific community and have put in place long-erm plans to make fundamental behavioural changes so that emissions, waste, and environmental impact can be minimised for the ongoing health of all.

But aligning the many players has been challenging and, even following the monumental Paris 2015 agreements where the world came together to agree on targets, there has been slow progress.

In London, on May 24-25, a new international clean tech conference will launch – a captivating event that promises to revolutionise the way we approach global challenges through innovation, spearheaded by the UK government and endorsed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Innovation Zero promises a vibrant atmosphere, captivating discussions, and remarkable individuals who are directing the movement towards a sustainable future, there is much enthusiasm about what could come from such a gathering.

2016 was the hottest on record when compared with pre-industrial levels. WMO has revised its expectations again, and is now 98% certain that this record will be broken before 2027. Reducing the level of green house gas being emitted into the atmosphere is just one element of a much bigger problem. There must be changes in how we grow food, use land, transport goods, and much more. At Innovation Zero, cutting edge ideas will be furthered to address the problem.

An impressive line-up of esteemed attendees from various fields—each contributing their unique perspectives to the discussions ahead – will mix and talk sustainability. The key themes on the agenda include: climate change mitigation, circular economy, clean technology, social impact, emerging technologies, and finance. The conference aims to bridge the gap between diverse industries, encouraging cross-pollination of ideas and solutions. Organisers promise: Innovation is the best weapon in the fight against climate change and we shine the light on new solutions from the energy, transport, industrials, finance and the built environment sectors.

GREEN REVOLUTION

The event Chair is Rt Hon. Dr Liam Fox MP, former Secretary of State for International Trade. He is confident that Innovation Zero will provide a platform for collaboration and evolution.

“We stand together at the start of the next industrial revolution, and it’s green,” he says.

“Our mission is to put the people and businesses together who can scale up the commercialisation of solutions to decarbonise our economy and society.”

One of the vital elements behind the strength of the Innovation Zero is the ability for investors and funders to witness inventive ideas first hand. By pairing originators with growth specialists, the hope is that scale can be achieved quickly.

“We will bring entrepreneurs and SME businesses together with enterprises, funders, trade bodies, and policy makers to accelerate progress and connect UK businesses with international investors to enable trade and collaboration.

“The climate crisis presents the biggest potential threat to our lifestyle and way of life as we know it but also the greatest business challenge and opportunity of our time.

“Global Britain has the opportunity to lead the clean technology revolution with our world leading businesses universities service sector and dynamic startups,” says Fox.

Importantly, like Prime Minister Sunak, he views the energy transition as an opportunity and an opening rather than a problem or barrier. 

“I am delighted to see such an exciting project choosing London for its inaugural event,” Sunak said. “Innovation Zero beings together trade and investment, finance, energy, and environmental specialists and puts them alongside the best of our innovators and businesses who see decarbonisation as an opportunity, not a problem. It is through creative thinking and action like this that we will create the jobs and prosperity on which we all depend, while providing the technological solutions to the climate change challenge we all face.”

STELLAR LINE-UP

Two companies that will be present at the conference are Levidian and WKE. Levidian is a UK clean tech innovator developing technology to create hydrogen and graphene from methane, decarbonising and developing a highly useful product at the same time. WKE is a science-based innovator helping industrial clients to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions by creating new fuel sources from waste often destined for landfill. Both companies are relatively young, and both are on strong growth trajectories.

Given the chance to scale and partner on national or international projects, these companies alone could have a profound impact on carbon emissions and environmental protection while generating significant financial results at the same time. This is one of the long-term outcomes for Innovation Zero alongside policy transformation, technological advancements, and cultural shift.

“This is the only event being designed and built to deliver this transition,” says Fox.

Free to attend, with 200 exhibitors, a world-class speaker programme, and a range of unique and intensive focus group sessions, there is sure to be something for everyone, and the knowledge share will be unlike any other event in 2023.

As organisations hunt for opportunities and sparks of positivity, Innovation Zero promises a platform for progress. It is more than just a vehicle for discussions—it is a call to action. By uniting brilliant minds and change makers.

Dr Nina Seega will speak on behalf of the Centre for Sustainable Finance, CISL. “Innovation Zero has been an amazing platform for bringing together a variety of actors within the financial system, so bringing financial eco systems together with mainstream actors as well,” she says.

Beverley Gower-Jone OBE, CEO at the Clean Growth Fund says: “It’s a great opportunity to meet with other likeminded investors, to meet entrepreneurs who are with their start-up companies looking for funding, but also engage in the wider ecosystem such as corporates, regulators, and supply chain firms, all of whom are on this decarbonisation journey across the myriad of different sectors that it impacts.”

CEO at Aimava and Director at CirculOil, Andrew Gaule is looking forward to the speaker roster. “I think we’re going to see fantastic speakers, we’re going to have engaging panels where we’re going to hear from people doing really great things, and also the quality of the networking with other participants.”

Now is an important time to further discussions, ideas, and concepts, and if the Terminator himself is voicing concerns over slow progress, it is time to ramp up.

“People, technology, and collaboration will together solve the climate emergency,” concludes Fox.

Join in the discussion online, or register to attend for free here.