Net Zero in a Volatile World
In a geopolitical landscape of increasingly polarised politics and a rise in state-on-state hostility, transitioning to clean energy has never been more urgent. Energy security has turbo-charged the agenda; we must reach net zero faster.
Limiting the impacts of climate change is imperative, but so is adaptation. And whilst we must continue to collaborate on driving the sustainable technologies of the future, we must also ensure that the transition is just. How do we achieve clean growth without increasing global inequalities? Can we solve the climate crisis for everyone rather than just the few?
Transition is not just about new technologies and systems, it's about ways of working, education and the habits of everyday people. So join the conversation with our panel of experts in geopolitics, energy infrastructure and sustainability as we explore the path to energy freedom and a sustainable future for all.
When and where
9 October 2024
Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts, University Park Campus
Programme
- 5.00pm: Arrival
- 5.30pm: Welcome address by Professor Shearer West, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Nottingham
- 5.35pm: Panel discussion and Q&A faciliated by Professor Jane Norman, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Nottingham
- 6.55pm: Closing remarks from Professor Shearer West
- 7.00pm: Programme concludes
To register
To book your place at this event please register via this link.
About our speakers
Pictured above, clockwise from top left:
Professor Lucelia Rodrigues
Professor Lucelia Rodrigues is Chair in Sustainable and Resilient Cities at the University of Nottingham, Head of the Department of Architecture and Built Environment and Deputy Director of the Energy Institute. Lucelia is a passionate, global leader in the resilience of communities and buildings in a changing climate, involved in several major sustainability projects focused on energy, carbon management and comfort. Her teaching and research are very cross-disciplinary, aiming to inform the sustainable practice of architecture and enhance the quality of the built environment.
Sir John Sawers
University of Nottingham alumnus Sir John Sawers has spent his career in international affairs. He worked as a diplomat in Africa, the Middle East and the United States before becoming the UK Ambassador to the United Nations where he was closely involved in the debate on climate, both mitigating its effects and how to adapt to unavoidable change. He went on to be Chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, leading the service through five years of political upheaval in the World, some of it exacerbated by the impact of a changing climate.
Since leaving public service, he has set up his own firm, Newbridge Advisory, to advise international companies on geopolitics. He was for nine years on the board of BP and has taken a close interest in the intersection of climate, energy, development and security.
Steve Holliday
Steve Holliday is the former Chief Executive of National Grid plc. He is currently Chairman of Cityfibre, Chairman of Zenobe, and recently finished serving as the President of the Energy Institute. Steve volunteers his time as Vice Chairman of the Careers and Enterprise Company and Vice Chairman of Business in the Community. He also previously served the maximum term of 9 years as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Crisis, the homeless charity.
Steve joined National Grid Group as the Board Director responsible for the UK and Europe in March 2001, becoming Chief Executive of the company in January 2007, which he led for almost 10 years until 2016. Prior to joining National Grid, he was on the Board of British Borneo Oil and Gas and was responsible for the successful development of its international businesses in Brazil, Australia and West Africa. Steve spent much of his early career with Exxon, where he held senior roles in refining, shipping and international gas.
Steve is a Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Energy Institute. From 2012 to 2014 he was also appointed as a National Ambassador for HRH The Prince of Wales and served as lead Non-Executive director with DEFRA from 2016 until the end of 2017. Steve served on the board of Marks & Spencer as Independent Non-Executive director from 2004 – 2014, as Deputy Chair at Convatec from 2016-19.
Steve holds a BSc degree from the University of Nottingham and honorary doctorates from Nottingham and Strathclyde universities.
Professor Jane Norman (Facilitator)
Professor Jane Norman is Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nottingham. Jane graduated in Medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1986 and was awarded an MD by the University of Edinburgh in 1992 before training in clinical and academic medicine in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Prior to joining the University of Nottingham as DVC and Provost in December 2022 her previous roles include Regius Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Glasgow (2007-2008), Director of the Edinburgh Tommy’s Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health (2008 – 2019), Vice Principal People and Culture at the University of Edinburgh (2013 – 2019) and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Bristol (2019 – 2022). She was an Honorary Consultant Obstetrician in the NHS in Glasgow (1995 – 2008) and in Edinburgh (2008 – 2019).
In June this year, Jane delivered the keynote speech to delegates at the Sustainable Development Congress in Bangkok on the topic of The Sustainable Crises of our Time: Energy Decarbonisation and Sustainable Industry, recognising the University role in driving positive global change and tackling the world’s most pressing problems, including climate change.