How can the government achieve the UK’s smooth transition to electric vehicles? (panel event) - June 2022

Partnering with the think tank the Institute for Government, Imperial Policy Forum held a panel discussion event on achieving the government’s target to phase out petrol and diesel cars from 2030. Imperial academic Dr Aruna Sivakumar appeared on a panel alongside Professor David Bailey, Senior Fellow at UK in a Changing Europe, Philip New, Chair of the EV Energy Taskforce, and Jeremy Yapp, Head of Flexible Energy Systems at BEAMA.

Dr Sivakumar discussed the skills and reforms required to ensure the UK can further adoption of electric vehicles and reduce our emissions. Watch the discussion.

How can the government make its green skills plan deliver for net zero? (panel event) - June 2022

The second event in a collaboration with the Institute for Government saw Imperial Policy Forum co-host a panel event on equipping the UK workforce with skills critical to the success of the net zero transition. Alyssa Gilbert, Director of Innovation at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and Environment, shared her perspective on the critical role of education and highlighting green careers. She appeared on the panel alongside Sam Alvis, Head of Economy at Green Alliance and Ian O’Donnell, Net Zero and Special Projects Lead at the Federation of Small Businesses. Watch the event.

Net Zero: How much will people need to change their behaviour? (panel event) - September 2022

Imperial Policy Forum and the think tank the Institute for Government co-hosted a discussion on behaviour change and net zero at the Labour Party Conference. Dr Laure de Preux gave an opening presentation offering her perspective on public engagement in the transition. She was joined on the panel by Kerry McCarthy MP, Shadow Minister for Climate and Darren Jones MP, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee. Listen to the discussion.

Net Zero: How can government deliver on low-carbon technologies? (panel event) - October 2022

In collaboration with the Institute for Government, Imperial Policy Forum co-hosted a panel event at the Conservative Party Conference. Professor Mary Ryan, Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise) and College Champion for Transition to Zero Pollution, appeared on the panel alongside Dean Russell MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Dhara Vyas, Deputy Director of Energy UK, to discuss the importance of a system-led approach to change. Listen back to the discussion.

Identifying the climate game-changers for a post-net zero world (workshop) - October 2022

Imperial Policy Forum partnered with the Imperial College London-Hitachi Centre for Decarbonisation and Natural Climate Solutions to hold a workshop bringing together industry representatives and policy makers to explore technological and societal innovations for transformation beyond net zero. The workshop approached the subject in a cross-sector approach and brough together a wide range of expertise to explore climate change challenges and re-design the pathway to decarbonisation. The workshop focused on key areas such as grid management, transportation, biodiversity management and nature-based solutions, key technologies such as direct air capture and carbon capture and storage, and adaption.

The role of engineers in decarbonising our economy (panel event) - November 2022

Dr Gbemi Oluleye, Lecturer at Imperial’s Centre for Environmental Policy, appeared on a panel organised by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee alongside Stephen Shaw, Global Engineering Director, AESSEAL, and Paul Johnson, Energy Systems Catapult. Dr Oluleye discussed the challenges of decarbonising heavy industries and the need for new business models for companies to account for their net zero footprint.

The role of technology in achieving net zero (panel discussion) - March 2021

A panel of experts discussed the role of technology in achieving net zero, covering topics such as the government's 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, investment in innovation and how to pay for the transition to net zero. Panellists included Dr Ajay Gambhir from Imperial's Grantham Institute, Georgia Berry, Director of Political Campaigns at OVO and former Special Adviser for Energy and Infrastructure in the No.10 Policy Unit and Juergen Maier, Chair of Digital Catapult and Vice Chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. This was a joint event with the Institute for Government. Watch the event.

Energy from waste (roundtable) - March 2021

The Forum and the think tank Policy Connect co-hosted a closed roundtable on energy from waste. Professor Chris Cheeseman, Professor of Materials Resources Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, gave the opening presentation, offering his perspective on the issues and opportunities associated with energy from waste. He was joined by MPs, peers, civil servants and industry representatives to debate the issues. 

Resources and Waste Strategy (roundtable) - January 2021

Imperial experts joined MPs, industry leaders and other officials to debate the future of the government's Resources and Waste Strategy. The event, jointly hosted by Imperial's new Transition to Zero Pollution initiative and the cross-party think tank Policy Connect through the All-Party Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group, analysed the progress of the Resources and Waste Strategy after its publication two years ago.

Chaired by Lord Teverson, Chair of the EU Environment Sub-Committee, opening remarks were delivered by Philip Dunne MP, Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, and Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Shadow Minister for Energy and the Green New Deal. Imperial academics Professor Nick Voulvoulis and Professor David C Wilson joined senior parliamentarians to share their insights on the strategy, two years on from its publication by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Read more.

Air quality and the Environment Bill (roundtable) - October 2020

Academics from Imperial and the London School of Economics (LSE) held a roundtable with members of the House of Lords to discuss their recommendations for how the Environment Bill can effectively improve air quality. Chaired by Lord Teverson, Chair of the Lords EU Environment Sub-Committee, Imperial academics Professor Frank Kelly, Dr Audrey de Nazelle and Dr Marc Stettler and LSE economist Dr Sefi Roth presented their research around air quality and outlined how the bill, and wider government policy, can best reduce air pollution. Read more.

Zero pollution economy (roundtable) - September 2020

Imperial academics from the Business School, Dyson School of Design Engineering, and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering discussed their research on building a zero-pollution economy with senior civil servants, parliamentarians, and think tank officials, before debating policies that are needed to bring about the transition.

Circular economy (workshop) - May 2020

This policy workshop brought together Imperial academics with partners from government and industry to explore the transition towards a circular economy. Dr Demirel and Dr Sheldrick, both from the Dyson School of Engineering, led the discussions and were joined by academics across the College whose research provides critical insights into how we might address challenges in the transition towards a circular economy. Read more.