Eden Sustainable and the Mission Zero Coalition

Contributing to Chris Skidmore’s report ‘At a Crossroads: Pathways to a Net Zero Future’

Eden Sustainable Directors Steve Baker, Tracey Elliott and Scott Burrows joined diplomats, politicians, industry experts and stakeholders at a gala event in Westminster marking the fifth anniversary of Rt Hon Chris Skidmore signing into law the UK’s net zero commitment. The next morning, on 27th June, Chris Skidmore and the Mission Zero Coalition launched its report At a Crossroads: Pathways to Net Zero Future.

“Net Zero is a generational economic opportunity”

For the last 6 months Tracey Elliott and I have been sitting on Mission Zero Coalition round tables. Joined by diplomats, politicians, industry experts and stakeholders, The Mission Zero Coalition Power Generation Network round table discussions addressed key barriers to the adoption of renewable energy from technology, skills, grid and investment perspectives. Sessions were chaired by the ex-conservative MP, Chris Skidmore, and co-chaired by Dan McGrail, CEO of Renewable UK. Committee sessions culminated in the Mission Zero Coalition Report: At a Crossroads: Pathways to a Net Zero Future which represents a roadmap as to how the new government can stay on track to achieve net zero.

Five years ago, Chris was the UK Energy Minister when he signed the UK Net Zero Commitments into Law. Chris had then resigned out of principle in protest at the government’s Offshore Petroleum Licencing Bill, in other words the granting of North Sea fossil fuel licences.

Our report focuses on the following five pathways:

• Balanced supply and demand

• An attractive investment environment

• An efficient and democratic planning system

• A sufficient flow of skilled workers

• A data-driven and digitalised energy system.

We paid particular attention to overcoming barriers to commercial and industrial solar, our area of expertise.

Why is this important?

Far from being a burden to our national or personal coffers ‘Net Zero is a generational economic opportunity’ (to quote Dan McGrail). We have a responsibility to try to influence policy in any way we can. This is one of the key ways we can help pull big levers and make a real difference. Being part of the Mission Zero Coalition’s report felt like a critical use of our time.

Taking opportunities to create systemic change is one of the key principles of Protect Our Winters UK (POW), an amazing organisation I am lucking enough to be a Trustee of. POW is the voice of the outdoor community and helps passionate outdoor people become effective climate advocates to achieve system solutions to climate change, protecting our world today and for future generations. POW’s campaign ‘Send It For Climate’, leveraged views of the outdoor community and delivered this message directly to Westminster.

As you may expect Eden was a big supporter of the Send it For Climate campaign and achieved excellent buy in from the UK Property Industry at the property event PropSki.

Impact & Timing

The timing of this report is essential. The UK’s journey to net zero has been challenged by international and political pressures, and the Mission Zero Coalition Report: At a Crossroads: Pathways to a Net Zero Future seeks to ensure that at this juncture the new government does not lose focus on this vital issue, and provides a roadmap for the first 100 days of a new government, for the first year, then over the course of a Parliament.

Particularly since resigning out of principle, Chris Skidmore has increasingly been seen as a potent cross-party voice for decarbonisation. He is also a passionate solar champion and was generous enough to give Eden Sustainable a name check at his keynote speech at this year’s UK Solar Summit. The report launch was also attended by Chris Hewitt, CEO of Solar Energy UK.

It is not possible to overestimate the potential of this report, and Eden are so delighted to have been able to contribute. The Mission Zero Coalition journey also provides a powerful opportunity for networking, providing ongoing opportunities to try to influence policy, and also for generating solar business too.

Dawn of the Solar Age

Dawn of the Solar Age

The new Labour government is already showing signs it is putting its money where its renewables mouth is, starting with the announcement from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero that the de facto ban on onshore wind in England is being lifted. As a career renewables stalwart it’s hard not to feel excited about where the solar industry is heading. The UK has targeted 70GW by 2035 and although the commercial and industrial market has levelled a little so far this year, the pipeline is monstrous and the future is incredibly bright. Globally we installed 447 GW of solar during 2023, which is an 87% rise from 2022.

Dawn of the Solar Age is the cover of a recent spec Economist. It looks at how the exponential growth of solar power will change the world.

What Does This Mean for You?

Through the Mission Zero Coalition process and Report, Eden has sought to ensure its specialist area, commercial and industrial solar, is well represented and barriers are overcome, to ensure we contribute to solar industry’s 70GW by 2035 targets.

Your businesses or organisation can be part of this journey and this solution. Eden Sustainable can help you achieve this.

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