All aboard the battle bus as 'Road to Net Zero' event rolls into town

The efforts Hull and East Yorkshire organisations are making to ensure our region achieves net zero carbon emissions are being highlighted at a special engagement event for businesses and communities.

Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s (HEY LEP) Flagship COP26 event – HEY on the Road to Net Zero – is taking place on Monday October 18 at Hull City Hall’s Mortimer Suite.

This event is part of the Government-backed Zero Carbon Tour – which sees a 100% electric battle bus visit locations across the country in the run-up to the COP 26 Climate Change Summit being held in Glasgow in November. The bus will be located in Queen Victoria Square in Hull to promote the event and raise awareness with the general public

Doors open at 8am, with the event kicking off at 8.35am, with an introduction from HEY LEP chair James Newman, before Marketing Humber brings the first event of its week-long Waterline Summit, “A Question of Carbon”, featuring the debut screening of its COP26 film, before a panel discussion with speakers including Liz Barber, CEO of Yorkshire Water & Kelda Group, and Professor Dan Parsons, director of the Energy & Environment Institute at the University of Hull.

Next, from 11am to 4pm, the HEY LEP event, working in partnership with sustainability certification social enterprise Planet Mark, will be hosting sessions full of advice and guidance, as well as sharing inspiring stories from Hull and East Yorkshire businesses and organisations that are already starting to operate in a sustainable, “net zero” way. This will include details on the Together for Our Planet campaign, stories from local businesses including Beverley Park Homes and Bio-D Ltd, as well as the Rooted in Hull Urban Farm, the Humber Energy Academy and the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, among others, before an interactive networking session for delegates and guests.

Meanwhile, the HEY LEP, HEY Growth Hub and the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Nature Partnership (LNP) will be hosting breakout sessions across the day, with guest speakers from organisations including Ideal Boilers, MyEnergi, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Aura Innovation Centre and Orsted.

From 11am to 12pm "HEY Business" will explore the range of support and funding available for businesses looking to decarbonise their operations and become more sustainable. From 1.30pm to 2.30pm, “HEY Community” will explore how community groups and natural-world organisations are playing their part in tackling the climate crisis through a range of projects and initiatives. Then, from 3pm to 4pm ‘HEY Clean Growth’ will hear from low-carbon and clean growth trailblazers from the HEY business community. Delegates will hear how fellow regional businesses have embedded net zero principles and clean growth approaches throughout their business operations.

Mr Newman said: “We know that businesses are really keen to lower their carbon footprints and make their operations net zero, but many aren’t sure how to start or where to turn for support to make it happen. This day of engagement, information, inspiration, and challenge is designed to help people and businesses make those sustainable and lasting changes.

“Please make sure you book your tickets now and find out first-hand what local businesses have done, feel inspired by hearing their stories, and meet like-minded businesses and organisations that can help you to reach your goals.”

Alan Menzies, chair of the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Nature Partnership, said: “I’m very excited for the LNP to be involved in the planning of this important event for our area. It is an excellent opportunity to promote a wide range of local natural environment projects that are supporting climate change resilience in our area.”

Due to Covid-19 safety measures, delegate numbers of the day are limited, and pre-booking is therefore essential. Tickets are available separately for the Waterline Summit event, both in person and online. Tickets are available in person for the Planet Mark and breakout sessions, with online-only tickets also available for the Planet Mark sessions.

To book all tickets, visit: https://heylep.com/road-to-net-zero-hull-cop-26-flagship-event/