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The public sector has faced significant financial and environmental pressures in recent years, yet many local authorities and public bodies have still found a way to move forward with ambitious sustainability agendas, while preserving funding for critical services.
As a result, many of the UK’s most ambitious net zero strategies and clean tech investment plans are to be found in the public sector. And from this experience come lessons that the private sector can apply to its own transition to more sustainable operations in the race to achieve net zero emissions.
This BusinessGreen Webinar, hosted in association with Equans, will bring together leading experts from the built environment, local authorities, and the private sector to explore how public sector net zero strategies could help their private sector counterparts – and vice versa.
The session will explore:
- Some of the difficulties faced by private sector net zero strategies in the face of rising costs, higher interest rates, and stricter carbon emissions regulations.
- How best in class public sector clean tech and energy efficiency projects can provide an effective template for others to follow.
- How both public and private sector organisations can build the business case for net zero focused projects.
- How tailored investment solutions and industry standards are helping to deliver cutting edge projects that bolster organisational resilience and result in improved cost efficiency
- Real world case studies from across the public sector that explore how their experiences can be translated into a private sector setting.
Panellists
James Murray
Editor-in-chief, BusinessGreen
Gregory Allouis
Energy Solutions Director, Bouygues Energies & Services
Gregory is the Energy Solutions Director for Bouygues Energies & Services, heading up the company’s Energy team, which supports a diverse client base with their decarbonisation strategies through the delivery of renewable energy
and energy-efficient projects, such as large solar farms, rooftop solar and heat pump technology solutions.
With over 12 years’ experience in the UK built environment sector and 10 years in France and the US across senior management and directorial roles, Gregory’s 20-plus year international proven track record comprises operational,
strategic, commercial, business development and project management. He has led in business processes and strategic roadmaps and deliverables for BIM, digital transformation, smart workspace and EV charging.
Gregory has also played an instrumental role in the process of mergers and acquisitions. With an extensive understanding of business integration, he has helped align B2B strategic goals.
His true commitment to net zero, supporting local communities through local recruitment opportunities and clients to meet their sustainability targets is testament to the projects Gregory has and continues to lead successfully
at Bouygues Energies & Services.
Cllr Peter Schwier
Essex County Council
Peter Schwier has been a district councillor for eight years and was recently elected to Essex County Council and subsequently became the Council’s Climate Czar and Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling.
Climate action is a high priority for Essex County Council. This will involve many different initiatives, moving towards becoming carbon neutral as soon as possible.
By profession, Peter is a retired farmer with a degree in agriculture, giving him a close working relationship and understanding of the environment. He also has experience running a small engineering business. The experience of running small businesses and his rural knowledge are assets which will be of great assistance when applied to the larger needs of the County Council.
Peter has lived in both France and America where he gained a commercial pilots licence. He has always been interested in renewable energy and his house benefits from a large array of solar panels combined with battery technology.
Peter has attended the UK100 Climate Leadership Academy, the LGA Leadership Academy and is also a fully qualified member of AIEMA.
Kate Vandenburg
Marketing and Communications Director, Business Design Centre
Kate joined the Business Design Centre (BDC) sixteen years ago, where her career has taken her across most departments until joining the Board in 2018. As Marketing & Communications Director, Kate heads up communications as well as company initiatives that include impact reporting, customer experience and policy development across areas such as sustainability, privacy and data protection.
Most recently her work has seen her deliver the company’s roadmap to achieving net-zero before 2030, having signed the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge, and lead on the company’s B Corp Certification, which the BDC attained in summer 2023. As well as her work in the venue, Kate participates in external forums; working with the Events Industry Alliance to collaborate on improving the environmental impact of events and locally on Angel Islington’s Responsible Business Network.
Additional positions held by Kate include that as a trustee of the BDC’s charitable arm, the Morris Charitable Trust, supporting the work of Islington based charity Local Village Network and sitting on the board at Islington Giving. Collaborating with the local area, the wider industry and delivering the BDC’s sustainability commitments have long been a passion of Kate’s and a key part of her role.
Bob Gordon
Director, Zero Carbon Forum
Bob is Director of the Zero Carbon Forum, an industry collaboration supporting the hospitality sector to reach net zero, together at pace. He has worked in a range of sustainability positions for nearly 20 years, including roles in hospitality, retail, sustainable investment and agtech.
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