Can the UK Reach Net Zero? Experts Weigh in at UCL’s Climate Summit

Photo Courtesy: UCL Grand Challenges

First held in 2024, UCL Grand Challenges’ annual climate summit was convened for its second time at the Institute of Education. ‘Love Your Planet’ was hosted on the 17th of February, bringing together experts from a variety of sectors to discuss how we can best avert climate breakdown and finally make the switch to green energy.

This year’s sessions centred on the effectiveness of international climate negotiations, the speed at which the UK can realistically reach net zero, and how communities can hasten the energy transition at a local level. Beginning with talks from the summit’s organisers, including the CEO of The Climate Reality Project (the collaborative partner of the conference), the first discussion saw individuals from government, law, and academia emphasise the need for urgent action, the empowering effect of climate-focused diplomacy, and the understated impact of eco-conscious personal changes. Regarding the latter, Andrew Simms of the New Weather Institute suggested that “commercialisation is teaching us to live like there is no tomorrow”.

The second session turned its attention towards the UK’s energy transition, with all speakers striking a cautiously optimistic tone. The importance of realistic goals, renewable energy sources, and individual efforts aimed at reducing energy use was central to this conversation, though the journalist Owen Jones and UCL’s Professor Eloise Scotford also warned against government complacency and the need for accountability. This panel was followed by a networking lunch and poster exhibition.

After a session of stand-up comedy from Dr. Mark Winning, which aimed to work through climate change through comedy, the third session began. Moving on from broader discussions of reducing our emissions, the final discussion considered how we can advance the move to net zero on a local level. Panellists from local government, energy companies, and community projects recognised the challenges presented by the green transition while promoting the potential benefits, such as savings from more conscious energy use.

Closing with comments from the BBC’s Tom Heap and UCL’s Professor Mark Maslin, the second iteration of ‘Love Your Planet’ concluded on an optimistic note, with the event demonstrating UCL’s commitment to collective progress.