Reflections on the Zemo Summit

Jonathan Murray, Director of Zemo Partnership, reflects on the organisation's October Summit, which secured senior policymakers from all tiers of UK and devolved government as speakers

We had a great day at Zemo Partnership’s 2024 Summit, held in Westminster in early October! Approaching 200 really engaged delegates packed the conference theatre and a great line-up of speakers made for a very stimulating and vibrant day. The event had extra interest and urgency, of course, with a new Government in charge of transport policy and one of the first public outings by one of its transport ministers focusing on the decarbonisation policy agenda.

Simon Lightwood, the local transport minister, signalled the intent of the new Government to accelerate the pace of decarbonisation, though most of the detailed policy announcements are yet to come. (We’re expecting the announcement of a consultation on the details of the reversal – from 2035 – to 2030 of the end of sale date for ICE-only cars and vans, for example.)

I’m very glad to say that the minister also said some very flattering things about the contribution of Zemo Partnership to the decarbonisation agenda over the last two decades! (You can view his full speech and those of other speakers and panellists at the Summit on a dedicated page on the Zemo website.)

A highlight of the day was a speech and subsequent ‘in conversation piece’ with Professor Sir Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The IPCC is the forum through which the world’s leading scientists agree and publish findings on the latest state of climate science. (Sir Jim was also the launch director of what was then the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership; we re-branded to become Zemo in 2021.)

The IPPC’s latest findings make difficult reading. An article in the Daily Telegraph published informed by the discussion with Sir Jim at the Summit reported that humanity has missed its chance of keeping global warming below 1.5C and that “heroic efforts” are needed if we are to stay below 2C this century.

Sir Jim’s speech provided the scientific backdrop for the Summit; starkly demonstrating that policymakers must urgently grasp this agenda and accelerate the introduction of policies to deliver decarbonisation.

It was very encouraging – unprecedented in our experience - that the most senior policymakers from all tiers of UK and devolved government agreed to speak on the same platform. As well as the UK transport minister, there were keynote speeches from lead ministers from Scotland and Wales, as well as contributions from the local government lead and those from key public sector organisations and businesses

Now more than ever, unprecedented collaboration will be required between all tiers of government, industrial sectors and regions for the UK to achieve its net zero transport goals.

Zemo is currently working with members and partners on a ‘roadmap’ to help highlight to the new Government where policy measures are urgently needed and where existing policies need to be strengthened. With the help and engagement  of members, Zemo can also provide the means to help the Government develop the finer details of the policies that are needed.

There’s never been a better time to get involved with Zemo and help shape the future of UK transport!
www.zemo.org.uk