Empower Businesses to Build Greener Futures (Net Zero Industry Wales)

Net Zero Industry Wales (NZIW) is a not-for-profit body which provides independent guidance and support to industries across Wales, in their transition to delivering net zero. This session was aimed at businesses and individuals that want to either start their own journey to Net Zero and don't know where to start, or have started their journey and want to know more about what's happening in the region. 

Speaker:

Ben Burggraaf. Chief Executive Officer. Net Zero Industry Wales.

Developing Skills for a Net Zero Industry in Wales (SWITCH, Swansea University)

Training and skills are a vital part of the just transition to Net Zero. The session was aimed at those with an interest in skills development for a future green economy, particularly within manufacturing, materials, energy and associated industries in Wales. https://www.now-switch.wales/

Speakers:

Professor Ian Mabbett. Professor, Chemistry. Swansea University.

Dr Brett C Suddell. Supporting Innovation & Low Carbon Growth Programme Manager. Neath Port Talbot Council.

Professor James Sullivan. Professor, Materials Science and Engineering. Swansea University.

Professor Laura Roberts. Swansea University. Biosciences Professor, Associate Dean for Education.

James Davies. CEO. Industry Wales.

Making Wood Work For Wales (Welsh Government)

A thriving timber industry offers economic, environmental and social benefits to Wales. Panel members discussed the actions needed to promote a healthy, growing timber industry in Wales

Speakers:

Elaine Harrison. National Manager for Wales. Confor (Confederation of Forest Industries).

Gary Newman. Chief Executive. Woodknowledge Wales.

Steve Cranston. Project Lead - Delivering Net Zero.

Huwel Manley. Head of Operations South West Wales. Natural Resources Wales.

An Inclusive Future For The Ocean & Coastal Sector in Wales: Opportunities For a Sustainable Blue Economy (Welsh Government)

The countryside and coast are some of the least diverse areas of employment. This session explored ways to open up the marine and coastal sector to ensure it can be more inclusive and illustrated some of the approaches taken by several employers in this sector.

Speakers:

David Tudor. Chair. Wales Coasts and Seas Partnership.

Jennifer Godwin. Partnership Manager. Sea User & Developers Group.

Sheree Jonas. Organisational Development Manager. Represent Us Rural Ltd.

Tim Brew. Programme Manager. Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum.

Supporting SMEs - The Journey to Net Zero (Welsh Government)

Where does a small or medium sized business start on the journey of just transition to sustainability? This was the key question explored in this session, including support available to help businesses through the transition.

Speakers:

Shelley Lawson. Co-founder. Frog Bikes.

Chris Dhenin. Head of Green Business Loan Scheme. Development Bank of Wales.

Dr Sarah Gore. Decarbonisation Adviser. Business Wales.

Tracey Gilbert-Falconer. Funding Manager. Car Y Mor / For the Love of the Sea.

Ben Cottam. Head of Wales. Federation of Small Business (FSB).

Rebecca Hayes. Business Owner. Sgript.

Giving Organisations a Fair Platform to Accelerate Net Zero Through Technology (BT)

The focus of discussion during this session was on the pivotal role that technology plays in driving sustainability initiatives, tailored towards professionals wanting to learn about how technology can help them achieve their net zero goals.

Speakers:

Sarwar Khan. Global Head of Sustainability. BT.

Stuart Higgins. Head of Smart Cities and IoT. Sustainability Ambassador. Cisco.

David Zorn. Head of Strategic Partnerships. Climeworks.

Carl Payne. Digital - OpenBlue Sales Leader. Johnson Controls.

Sustainable Public Procurement: Tools to Support a Just Transition (WRAP Cymru)

Speakers explored the importance of public procurement in addressing the climate crisis and walked through some of the tools on offer to help organisations procure goods and services in a more sustainable way.

Speakers:

Pauline Vella. Technical Support Delivery Manager. WRAP.

Huw Lloyd. Business Account & Project Deliver Manager. WRAP Cymru.

Thomas Funk. Business Account & Project Delivery Manager. WRAP Cymru.

Aled Guy. Head of Sustainability & Net Zero Carbon Management. NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership.

Rob Skellett. Therapies Equipment Lead, Physiotherapy. Cardiff & Vale UHB.

Stuart Jones. Directorate Support, Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Services. Hywel Dda Health Board.

Rethinking Green Jobs and Skills (UNISON Cymru / Wales)

This talk from the UNISON Cymru Wales learning team presented public service work through the lens of Kate Raworth’s Doughnut economics, concepts of Just Transition, and what skills needed for low carbon green jobs really are.

Speakers:

Richard Speight. Area Learning Development Organiser. UNISON Cymru / Wales.

Jenny Griffin. Area Learning Development Organiser. UNISON Cymru / Wales.