Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum Policy Conference 2025 – Key Takeaways

Burges Salmon recently participated in the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum Policy Conference, where discussions focused on policy priorities for businesses, communities, environmental protection, and investment in the UK following COP29. The event featured insights from notable panellists, including Chris Dodwell, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Impax Asset Management; Mike Childs, Head of Science, Policy, and Research at Friends of the Earth; and David Frank, Director of Sustainability Policy Engagement at Microsoft. Below are some key takeaways from the conference:

Green Investments

The annual COP continues to be a significant event for investors, offering insights into climate-related risks and opportunities. Although the outcomes of recent COPs have been somewhat muted, the event remains a vital forum for agreeing and advancing global climate commitments. Under the Paris Agreement signatories are required to submit National Determined Contributions (“NDCs”) which are national climate action plans outlining a country’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to below 2°C and to adapt to the impacts of climate change. 

Looking ahead to COP30 and beyond, investors seek continued progress and momentum. To attract green investment, countries must focus on:

• Transparency – Clear pathways and roadmaps for achieving carbon targets, allowing investors to assess risks with confidence. Transparent reporting on COP agreements is also essential to ensure accountability and follow-through.
• Investment-friendly policies – Governments should proactively remove barriers to investment to foster a thriving green economy.
• Ambitious yet achievable NDCs – Nations must balance ambition with practicality, ensuring transparency and credibility in their commitments to attract investment in the low-carbon transition.

Equitable Transition

Environmental groups and campaigners continue to challenge the government on its net zero plan, emphasising adherence to the legal requirements outlined in the Climate Change Act 2008 (the “Act”). Despite successive governments failing to deliver an actionable Net Zero Strategy and Carbon Budget Delivery Plan (“CBDP”) that meets the Act’s requirements, campaigners are hopeful that the upcoming Labour government will provide a comprehensive and legally compliant strategy.

Beyond meeting specific targets, ensuring that the transition is just and equitable is paramount. Fairness must be embedded in the Net Zero Strategy and CBDP to prevent disproportionate impacts on lower-income communities, ensuring climate solutions are accessible and inclusive.

Support is also crucial for industries undergoing transition, such as steel production, automotive manufacturing, and agriculture. The UK, having positioned itself as a global leader in green transition through its NDCs, must ensure its Net Zero Strategy and CBDP reflect this ambition.

Community Engagement 

Public and community engagement is fundamental to the credibility and success of the UK’s Net Zero Strategy and CBDP. Policies must not be developed behind closed doors - transparent collaboration fosters trust among the public, business and investor communities, enabling the government to build a fair, economically sound plan that encourages businesses and communities to participate in its implementation. Effective adoption and execution of green initiatives depends on public buy-in, ensuring policies offer tangible benefits for people, communities, and the environment.

The Green Skills Gap 

A successful transition requires a proactive approach to identifying green skills and jobs needed in the UK as it moves towards net zero. Industries and businesses must plan ahead, prioritising worker reskilling and retraining to facilitate a smooth transition.

Investing in education and apprenticeships for younger generations is also vital, creating a pipeline of talent to sustain a thriving green workforce and bolster the UK’s industrial base in the green economy.

Technology and the Transition 

Technology has a major role to play in the energy transition including emission reduction, tracking and developing climate-friendly materials, and reducing rare earth minerals that are currently fundamental for the development of solar panels and wind farms. However, as the transition progresses, existing infrastructure will reveal its limitations. The UK’s energy grid requires substantial modernisation to meet rising energy demands. Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) presents a promising solution, assisting in grid planning, long-term forecasting, permitting, and identifying and optimising grid infrastructure gaps to improve sustainability and reliability.

Yet, while AI and technology will drive the transition, they also pose challenges. With AI data centre demand projected to double within five years, major technology companies must ensure their innovations align with sustainability goals rather than exacerbate environmental concerns.

The UK's position

The UK government is legally obliged to publish a new Net Zero Strategy and CBDP by 29 October 2025, outlining climate targets for the next 12 years - just ahead of COP30 in Brazil. This strategy must instil confidence in investors, address the green skills gap, and uphold fairness and equity across communities, businesses, and industries. Achieving net zero is not merely about policy, it requires a united commitment across sectors to drive actionable change that aligns with sustainability goals and ensures long-term economic and social resilience.

Written by Carys Cox