The Waterline Summit to shine a light on ‘big opportunities’ for the Humber

The “big opportunities” for the Humber in the drive to net zero will be a key theme of the region’s flagship The Waterline Summit this year.

News of the climate summit’s return comes just weeks after an unprecedented heatwave saw temperatures in the UK exceed 40 degrees Celsius for the first time on record, putting the climate crisis in stark focus.

Several fire services declared major incidents after a surge in blazes and rail services were cancelled after tracks overheated or buckled and overhead cables failed. The fire service in London faced its busiest day since the Second World War.

It makes The Waterline Summit 2022, held in partnership between Marketing Humber and the University of Hull, even more relevant and timely.

The event – the largest and most important of its kind in the North of England – will unite businesses, public sector organisations, academic institutions and communities in the single biggest challenge the world faces.

It will focus on the positive action taking place across the region in the race to a carbon net zero economy.

The summit will be held at the Aura Innovation Centre, at Bridgehead business park, in Hessle, over three days, from Monday, October 17, to Wednesday, October 19. It will feature in-person discussion panels, presentations, exhibitions and networking opportunities, all focused on accelerating action to tackle climate change.

The launch will be hosted by renowned television presenter and broadcast journalist Louise Minchin, who also opened the summit last year.

High-profile speakers will include Team GB’s three-time Olympic champion Ed Clancy OBE, the most successful team pursuit cyclist in history, who will give an inspirational talk to students from across the region.

Bill Walker, Chair of Marketing Humber, said: “The climate emergency is very real and it’s here now, as recent events have shown.

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to act now to protect our precious planet for future generations. There can be no delay.

“That’s why The Waterline Summit 2022 will explore the positive action taking place across the region in our drive to a net zero economy.

“It will also shine a light on the big opportunities for the Humber, with so many innovative decarbonisation projects and developments taking place as we lead the race to become carbon neutral.

“There will undoubtedly be a global market for costal and estuarial regions like ours to help others across the world reduce carbon emissions. It’s essential the Humber capitalises on this huge economic opportunity.”

The University of Hull outlined its ambitious plan to become carbon neutral by 2027 at the first Waterline Summit in 2019.

It announced a range of measures, including a transition to renewable sources of energy to power the campus and reducing energy usage through optimising its estate and campus infrastructure.

Dr Dave Richards, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at the University of Hull, said: “We’re delighted to be co-hosting The Waterline Summit 2022, in partnership with Marketing Humber, which will focus on the journey we’re all on to achieve our ambitious goals and the progress we’ve made so far.

“The summit will bring together businesses, academia and communities as we all work together towards the shared goal of a net zero future for all.

“As a leading stakeholder and civic university in the Humber region, we know we have an important role to play in this transition.

“Reaching net zero is a must and it’s a challenge we’re rising to, as The Waterline Summit will show, but there’s much more to do.”

The Waterline Summit 2022 is supported by Event Partner, energy company Phillips 66. Arup and Drax are sponsoring the Adaptation and Resilience Day and Energy Transition Day respectively, while innovation consultancy Edenic Group and offshore wind global leader Ørsted are Waterline Hackathon Sponsors. The Oh Yes! Net Zero campaign is the Networking Sponsor.

The winners of The Waterline Student Sustainability Challenge 2022, which encourages youngsters aged 11-18 to plan and deliver their own eco projects and is sponsored by energy companies Equinor and SSE Thermal, will also be announced at the summit.

Key contributions to last year’s summit, including a powerful film called “Eyes on the Humber” documenting the vital role the region has in the climate change challenge, were taken to world leaders at the global COP26 conference in Glasgow.

It also featured the “MyTopia – The Green City Builder” multiple choice city building simulation game.

Developed by local companies Edenic Group and Clay10 Creative, the game enables players to build a “green city” through multiple choice questions and Marketing Humber is encouraging as many people as possible to take part again this year.

Sponsorship opportunities for The Waterline Summit 2022 remain available. For more information, contact Leahann.Barnes@marketinghumber.com

• The Waterline Summit 2022 will run from October 17-19. Full programme details will be released in the coming weeks. To find out more, or register your early interest, visit https://thewaterline.global/summit-2022

• To view “Eyes on the Humber”, visit https://thewaterline.global/videos/

• To participate in MyTopia and build your own sustainable city, visit https://thewaterline.global/summit-2021/mytopia/

The Waterline Summit 2022 day by day

Day one, Monday, October 17 – sponsored by Event Partner, Phillips 66

The summit will launch with a hard-hitting panel discussion featuring leading regional and national experts, hosted by broadcast journalist and presenter Louise Minchin.

The afternoon session will highlight to students the many opportunities presented by the drive to net zero, including interactive exhibitions and a motivational talk by Team GB’s Ed Clancy OBE.

Day two, Tuesday, October 18 – sponsored by Arup

The second day of the conference will be centred around the theme of “adaptation and resilience” through a series of fringe events.

Speakers will equip delegates with the knowledge they will need to adapt and be resilient to the changing climate. Energy firm Ørsted and digital experts Edenic Group will also host an interactive event to bring together businesses, students and academic experts to use disruptive thinking to find solutions to climate change.

Day three, Wednesday, October 19 – sponsored by Drax

The third and final day will provide an insight into the breadth of opportunities presented by the transition to a net zero economy and the projects and partnerships of all scales being delivered across the region.

It will also address how delegates can reduce their own energy costs.