PRESS RELEASE: Government, business and finance leaders launch “vital” Net Zero Council

Broadway Initiative • 9 May 2023

The first meeting of the new Net Zero Council, hailed as a giant step on the journey to net zero, was co-chaired today (9th May 2023) by Rt Hon Graham Stuart, Minister for Energy Security & Net Zero, and Co-op CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq.


The Broadway Initiative and its business association members have worked hard behind the scenes to bring this group together and is calling on everyone involved to make the most of this immense opportunity.

The transition to net zero will provide the economic opportunity of the century. The Net Zero Council has launched to ensure the UK takes advantage of this opportunity, by providing the structure for greater collaboration between government, business and the finance community.


The meeting brought Ministers and officials together with CEOs from some of the most significant players in the UK economy, alongside a highly experienced joint secretariat bringing the combined expertise of the Broadway Initiative, Aldersgate Group and the Green Finance Institute. Leaders from Siemens, the Federation of Small Businesses, the National Grid, Barratt Developments, Rolls Royce, HSBC, Octopus, Impax Asset Management and Lloyds of London gathered to discuss action across the economy to achieve Net Zero, with other Council Members scheduled to join future meetings.


Broadway Initiative helped to consolidate the Net Zero Council to drive forward the vision for net zero and is now acting as joint secretariat alongside the Green Finance Institute and Aldersgate Group. Broadway is calling on all participants to grasp this collaborative moment and drive towards achievable change.


Broadway Initiative Convenor Edward Lockhart said: “The formation of the new Net Zero Council is a giant step on the journey to net zero. For the first time it brings together leadership from across business sectors, finance and the relevant government departments. In doing so, it creates the mechanism capable of giving businesses vital clarity and consistency to design a low carbon future that works for us all. To be successful the Net Zero Council must be inclusive and open in the way it works. Thanks to all the business groups who have worked alongside the Broadway Initiative to bring this collaboration together. Let’s make the most of it.”


Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said: “Small businesses play a vital role in helping the UK achieve its net zero targets by 2050, by decarbonising their own businesses, delivering green jobs, and supporting the transition. There’s a lot of potential for small firms to go further in their net zero journey but the right policy framework is needed. We’re glad to be a part of the Net Zero Council and look forward to working with the Government and like-minded peers to bring down net-zero barriers and incentivise greater investment with smart policies that work for the five and a half million small businesses in the UK.”


NOTES TO EDITORS


  • The full membership of the Net Zero Council is: Siemens, the Federation of Small Businesses, the National Grid, Rolls Royce, HSBC, Octopus, Impax Asset Management, Cemex, Atkins, Severn Trent Water, Electron, SSE, NatWest, Barratt Developments and Lloyds of London
  • The Broadway Initiative works to 'mainstream' sustainability into the UK economy. Broadway works with trade organisations to understand what is needed to achieve environmental and climate change objectives, then collaborates with UK governments on the frameworks required and develops plans and partnerships in the private sector to implement change.
  • Business association members of the Broadway Initiative include: Federation of Small Businesses, British Chambers of Commerce/East Lancashire Chamber, CBI, IoD, Make UK, British Retail Consortium, Carbon Capture and Storage Association, Cold Chain Federation, Country Land and Business Association, Environmental Services Association, Food and Drink Federation, Home Builders Federation, Mineral Products Association, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Tech UK, UKHospitality, Water UK. 
  • For further enquiries, please contact liam@broadwayinitiative.org.uk

Broadway Initiative Welcomes the Relaunched Net Zero Council

by Broadway Initiative • 17 February 2025
The Broadway Initiative was delighted to attend the first meeting of the relaunched Net Zero Council (NZC), the central forum where Ministers, the financial community, and leaders from business and civil society can coordinate the business transition to net zero. Broadway worked hard to secure the future of the NZC, and now jointly provides the secretariat, ensuring our members are connected to the heart of the Council's activities. The Net Zero Council has a renewed emphasis on offering expert insights to shape government policies on net zero. It is dedicated to supporting the creation and implementation of sector-specific roadmaps, equipping businesses with transition planning tools, and enabling investors to identify key opportunities. Commenting on the relaunch of the Net Zero Council, Broadway Initiative Convenor Ed Lockhart said: "UK businesses need certainty, including on the transition to a clean energy future, to invest, grow, and ultimately improve living standards. By launching the Net Zero Council aligned to the clean energy mission, the government is providing a much-needed platform for the business community, financial institutions, civil society, and government to work in partnership on a shared and inclusive long-term plan. The Broadway Initiative looks forward to bringing business and environmental organisations together to make the most of this opportunity." As the Net Zero Council moves forward, Broadway remains committed to facilitating meaningful engagement between policymakers and business leaders. We will continue to advocate for the practical measures and regulatory clarity needed to accelerate the UK’s transition to a net zero economy. Read the Government's Press Release: Net Zero Council relaunched to supercharge Clean Energy Superpower Mission Read more about the Net Zero Council

Nature Markets Dialogue Workshop

by Broadway Initiative • 10 February 2025
On the 6th February the Nature Markets Dialogue (NMD) hosted the first workshop of 2025. Professionals drawn from across the demand, supply and operational sides of nature markets met to continue the discussion of the critical need for robust governance. The workshop built on 12 months of effort to convene a consensus around the future for nature market development, rooted in the belief that by working together we can reach the best possible outcome. Government is engaged and listening, at a crucial moment for environmental policy development, so we were delighted so many knowledgeable individuals joined us to pool their experience and expertise. The session was characterised by both a realism that these issues have been under discussion for some time and there has been some disappointment along the way, and by a strong sense of optimism that we will eventually secure market integrity in the UK. Perhaps inspired by the ideas in the NMD Governance Paper or by the healthy turnout of professionals prepared to collaborate, 61% of attendees counted themselves as positive that our goals will be achieved. The purpose of the event was to workshop answers to the NMD Governance Consultation , which remains open to everyone until the 28th February. From the 15 questions, six were identified as being of particular interest via a pre-meeting poll. Those six were subject to rigorous discussion in smaller breakout groups, as the attendees helped shape and form each other’s responses. The true outcome of this process will be recorded in the responses to the consultation itself , but the workshop highlighted some key themes that are sure to come out in the conclusions: The need for government leadership and action The need to learn from existing good practice at home and abroad The vital importance of the government’s new Land Use Framework consultation A clear focus on nature recovery at all times The significance of data platforms and emerging technologies The results of this consultation will build towards a governance framework that the NMD will propose to government at a future Ministerial roundtable. Everyone at the Broadway Initiative is extremely grateful to all participants, and to Bruce Howard from the Ecosystems Knowledge Network who so ably facilitated the workshop.

Consultation on a governance framework for high-integrity nature markets

by Broadway Initiative • 23 December 2024
At a time of significant change in UK environmental policy making, the Broadway Initiative's ' Nature Markets Dialogue ' (NMD) is seeking your views on how investment in nature is governed. Your responses will help shape our approach to Government, as we plan to propose a governance framework for high integrity nature markets. To that end, you are invited to share feedback on the latest consultation paper: Towards a governance framework for high integrity nature markets. The consultation paper has been informed by the feedback, roundtables and online workshops that NMD participants have supported over the past 12 months. A key message from the Dialogue to date is that well-designed and governed nature markets are first and foremost about providing an efficient mechanism for the delivery of verified improvements to the natural environment. Nature markets can deliver improvements to meet voluntary or regulated obligations, provide insets for supply chains and offsetting for development, and efficiently deliver government investment in nature. This is a vital moment for environmental policy development: the Environmental Improvement Plan is under review and revision; the Cunliffe Commission and the Planning Reform Working Paper on Development and Nature Recovery are seeking evidence; and we expect the Government will soon consult on the governance of Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets. We have a unique opportunity to highlight the need for a robust UK governance mechanism that ensures UK nature markets are high integrity and make a significant contribution to nature’s recovery. We have created an online portal to obtain your feedback and views here, where we have 15 specific questions on which we would value your thoughts . In addition, we will be hosting a series of workshops in the coming weeks to progress the Dialogue around the issues raised in the paper. The process will culminate in a roundtable to present the results and recommendations to Ministers. Find out more about the UK Nature Markets Dialogue .
Share by: