Net Zero North West Cluster Plan: Key Takeaways

Last week, we attended the exhilarating launch of the UK’s first Net Zero Cluster plan, which set out a clear and credible roadmap for the region to reach Net Zero by 2040.

The plan is the culmination of years of work, from a host of organisations, leaders and experts, who plan to work collaboratively towards a shared vision for the North West, to lead the world in decarbonisation of our industries and our region.

Our senior strategy consultant, Sean, picked out just a few key things to take away from the event:

1. True collaboration is key (and is here)

An often-overused word, thrown in to almost all working projects that consist of more than one stakeholder. But we can gather from the Cluster Plan that there’s a real clarity and consistency to the messages coming from all those supporting this incredibly ambitious project. We heard from a range of individuals, from MPs to industry leaders, sector experts and academics, openly sharing the challenges and barriers, but more importantly the incredible opportunities ahead. The general consensus here is that it’s the responsibility of all to ensure what can be done to achieve net zero in the region, must be done.

2. Now is the time for action

The race to Net Zero can often be misunderstood or misrepresented as a speculative and out of reach future endeavour. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Across the North West, there are an unrivalled number of vital projects already taking place that will bring transformation for the region. As pointed out by Siemens CEO, Carl Ennis, “We can get to 80% of Net Zero with what we already know.” This was reinforced by John Egan of Progressive Energy, who told the room, “It’s time to put the papers on the shelves. Only by bringing forward real projects and putting steel in the ground can we show that this is real.”

3. The North West is best placed to lead the Net Zero agenda

Our region has a uniquely important heritage and when it comes to leading industrial revolutions, it’s in our DNA. But it’s so much more than this that makes the North West the best place to lead the way in decarbonisation. Not to mention, the largest cluster of industrial and chemical industries in the country, a unique hub of energy sources, be that hydrogen, renewable energies, nuclear, as well as carbon capture. It's fair to say that this is one of the most important agendas for all to get behind. ?

4. It’s important to translate the opportunity ?

As with any large-scale industrial programme, for those outside of the loop, the numbers and graphs can be incomprehensible. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard the measurement Gigatonnes used, for example. What most don’t realise is that behind those numbers are meaningful outcomes that have the potential to transform our region. The growth in the Net Zero sector could and should be informing what skills and training for the region will look like, and what employment, jobs, and industries will look like for the North West. The prospect of what this will do to provide opportunities for thousands within our region and the local eco-system is incredibly exciting.

How this story is told will be so vital for the regional success of the Cluster. How the region is engaged will be just as important because the collective ambition to revolutionise the North West is what will make the region truly world leading.