COP26 - 4/11/21

By Hannah Beirne

Today was Energy Day, and I found myself back in the Green Zone talking with people who speak my language! From biofuels to wind turbines, every type of energy generation you can think of was represented, with each proponent claiming their own would save the world. The COP talks are being sponsored by a number of energy companies, so I took the opportunity to ask them how they are moving forward to transition their supplies from fossil fuels to entirely renewable energy. I seemingly couldn’t help but cause a debate on the National Grid as we discussed network capacities and the future role that Hydrogen could play in heating our buildings.

I then attended a presentation from the Better Buildings Partnership. Last year, members of the BBP produced delivery plans to set out how they would achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050. They were ahead of the game! On Wednesday Rishi Sunak announced that all large companies would need to produce delivery plans from 2023.

As an Innovations Consultant, I’m always looking for new ideas and technologies. As such, I finished the day at the Scottish Edge Net Zero Awards. The finalists pitched their sustainable business ideas to the audience and a panel of high-profile judges, including Sir Tom Hunter. The ideas covered a wide range of sustainable solutions, from self-sorting recycling bins to a specialist seed coating to improve the survival rate of new tree seedlings. The winner, however, was energy based; the first-ever flat-pack solar thermal collector, which will bring zero-carbon hot water to the Global South.

This concludes my first week at COP26. Having walked an average of 8 miles a day this week, I am going to have a well-deserved rest before returning next week for more!

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