The Net Zero series: Towards a sustainable future – Sustainable Materials

19 October 2021

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Hosted by UKRI

The net zero series sheds light on the work already undertaken by UKRI’s flagship programme -the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.

We live in a time of unprecedented change. The way we live our lives and do business is impacting the planet and driving environmental change on a scale unique in the Earth’s history. We are consuming our natural resources at unprecedented levels whilst polluting our environment, affecting our air, soils, water and biodiversity. This is increasing the challenges linked to extreme weather and a changing climate which can have devastating impacts on the environment and human life and hinder economic growth. To meet these challenges, and recognising our leadership potential, in 2019 the UK became the first major economy to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

The net zero series sheds light on the work already undertaken by UKRI’s flagship programme -the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund to address the key challenges that will help the UK build back greener. It will bring together world-renowned researchers and innovators across the breadth of our funding disciplines to discuss the need for innovative solutions to heat our homes, travel to work, develop and transform our industries, cater to our diet, enjoy our leisure time, and prosper from a cleaner, healthier environment in parallel with growing our economy.

Please note: This event is also being streamed on the UKRI’s COP26 virtual conference platform. To join us here, please register, to gain full access to this and all of our other virtual events taking place from 18th October to 12 November.

Speakers:

• Emma Wilcox, CEO of the Society for the Environment
• Cheryl Anderson, Tata Steel
• Professor Mark Jolly, Director, UKRI Transforming the Foundation Industries Research and Innovation Hub and Professor at University of Cranfield
• Aston Fuller, General Manager, Glass Futures
• Lee Wright, Encirc

Chair: Ben Walsh, Deputy Director of the Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge, UKRI

1:00-11:10 – Introduction from Deputy Challenge Director

11:10-11:20 – What does a sustainable material really look like and how do we know? Emma Wilcox, CEO of the Society for the Environment

11:20-11:30 -What does the future look like for our processing industries? Cheryl Anderson, Tata Steel

11:30-11:40 – Resource efficiency and the transition to using less Transfire Hub.Professor Mark Jolly, University of Cranfield

11:40-11:50 What can be achieved through collaboration.Aston Fuller, Glass Futures

11:50-12:00 -What future skills are needed to achieve sustainable materials and the case for diverse talent pipelines.Lee Wright, Encirc

12:00-12:30 Panel discussion chaired by Deputy Challenge Director

Register to attend