b'20 Member News March 2022Solving societal challengesReflecting on COP26how we can play a partCOP26 was the 2021 United Nations climate change conference which saw the UK as President. The event welcomed world leaders alongside tens of thousands of negotiators, government representatives, businesses and organisations for 12 days of talks from 31 October until12 November 2021. We were delighted to have been granted Observer status for the conference that took place in Glasgow.Climate change is a significant long- Our new guide, Energy technologies term challenge for our planet. Findingfor net zero, gives a detailed look a solution, is, without doubt, the mostat the technologies available to difficult and important engineeringdecarbonise the UK energy system challenge of our time, one which the vital in helping the Government IET is determined to lead. reach its net zero targets. Craig Lucas CEng FIET, our Energy PolicyThe transition to net zero greenhouse Panel Chair, attended the conferencegas emissions will rely on people and(L-R) Mark Goudie CEng FIET, Distributions System and used it as an opportunity to gaintechnology. Technology enables usOperation Manager, SP Energy Networks, Olivia Carpenter-Lomax CEng MIET, Principal Consultant Engineer, Ricardo insight and engage with the big issuesto drastically reduce our dependenceEnergy and Environment, Alice Myles, Strategic Marketing which impact engineers.on fossil fuels by shifting our energyManager, The IET, Simon Harrison CEng FIET, Group demand to sustainable energyStrategic Development Director, Mott MacDonald.He joined Nicola Todd, Nationalcarriers such as electricity from Grids Head of Innovation andrenewable sources and low-carbon Strategy and Tom Howe, Head of thehydrogen. However, the success of Energy and Environment Division attechnology depends on people and the IEA, for an informal discussionour active involvement in making on Green Grids. They spoke aboutlow-carbon choices. This includes the steps we need to take to ensurehow we travel, how we heat our energy networks are ready for thehomes, what we buy and what we global transition, how we build theeat. If people understand what is skills and supply chain, how we needneeded and why, if they have options to scale up investment, and how weand can be involved in decision-need to involve consumers and othermaking processes, then they will stakeholders in the journey. support the transition to net zero.As evidenced from our guide, there is an abundance of technology options I hope that we are movingfor a net zero energy system. However, from an era of persuasion tosome are more suited to the UKin an era of rapid action whenterms of its renewable resources, our skills as engineers willexisting infrastructure and evolvingDownload our free guide atbe more in demand thanenergy demand culturethan others. theiet.org/tech-for-net-zeroever before in addressingCOP26 outlined steps, targets andLearn more about our COP26probably the greatestgoals to tackling climate changeseries at theiet.org/COP26and the importance of a just challenge our professiontransition. To succeed, a net zero will tackle in my lifetime. transition must be fair, without adverse effects on peoples jobs andPart of ourCraig Lucas CEng FIET,quality of life. People, places andIET COP26communities must be well-supported Energy Policy Panel Chair to collectively achieve our goal. series'