We were proud to attend the House of Commons on Thursday, as our clients Net Zero North West (NZNW), the North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) and Essar Energy Transition (EET), hosted a major Industrial Decarbonisation Briefing lunch.

The event discussed the ambitious North West Cluster Plan, which aims to establish the region as the first net zero carbon cluster in the UK by 2040. The briefing was led by an opening keynote from Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, and included powerful speeches from Ruth Herbert, Strategy Director at EET, and NZNW CEO Jane Gaston, who each outlined the incredible potential of the North West region. 

The North West Cluster plan involves a £30 billion pipeline of investable projects with the potential for £207 billion in total investments. Key strategies include the deployment of low-carbon technologies such as hydrogen production and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). With collaboration between businesses, academia and regional leaders, the plan aims to significantly reduce industrial emissions, create high-value jobs and drive economic growth.

The briefing was an important opportunity for key regional business leaders and politicians to meet in the same room to discuss the huge potential of the North West industrial decarbonisation opportunity.

Our very own Head of Communications, Anna Wharton, was in attendance, following our own successful launch of the NZNW Manifesto in April 2024 at Siemens HQ. The event featured both metro mayors , Andy Burnham and Steve Rotherham and a House of Lords gathering in October 2024 that included Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Industry, Bill Esterson, Chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee, and Rachel Armstrong, Director of Industrial Decarbonisation & Emissions Trading (DESNZ).

The Industrial Decarbonisation Briefing ensured momentum continued, reminding businesses and political leaders of their role in driving forward net zero projects and targets, while shaping a better future for the UK.

A range of our friends, including Net Zero members, MPs and other influential figures, attended the House of Commons event alongside Anna, including Emma Degg and Simone Peppi from NWBLT, Matt Browell-Hook from Spirit Energy, Nigel Bouckley from INEOS, Oliver Harry from Encirc, Robert Hudson from TATA, Michelle Lewis from EET, Tricia Williams from Northern Trains and Andrew Cooper, MP for Mid Cheshire, Rachel Armstrong from DESNZ.

Anna Wharton, our Head of Communications, said:

“We are proud to work alongside Net Zero North West, North West Business Leadership Team and Essar Energy Transition to ensure a brighter tomorrow, including new jobs, skills, and a cleaner world for us all. This was a fantastic event, with so many influential figures joining together, understanding partnerships and teamwork will be crucial in achieving the goals set out by the North West Cluster Plan.”

Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, said:

“The benefits of the North West Cluster Plan will be felt far more widely than geographical locations. With the potential to create over 600k new jobs, it presents a fantastic opportunity.  If we build and embed relationships today, we enable collaboration to get these projects over the line.”

Jane Gaston, CEO of Net Zero North West, said:

“The North West Industrial Cluster plan identifies a £30 Billion investment pathway to decarbonise our industry in a way that protects jobs and contributes to economic growth by reducing emissions and delivering a low carbon energy system for the North West.”