Net Zero Week in Parliament

Net Zero Week in Parliament 2026

The UK's official national awareness week is coming back to Parliament on the 6 - 7 July, 2026.

About

Net Zero Week is the UK’s official national awareness week, tackling all things net zero. The government and industry-backed initiative is holding its second Net Zero Week in Parliament in July 2026. MPs and civil servants are encouraged to attend, see the agenda below.

18:00 - 20:00
Hosted by Net Zero Week in Parliament and Balfour Beatty
Terrace Dining Room B, Palace of Westminster

DINNER | Net Zero Week in Parliament

Join Mike Reader MP and Balfour Beatty for an evening of great food and good conversation in the Palace of Westminster.

Policymakers can book attendance here

09:00 - 10:30
Hosted by Centre for Energy Policy, University of Strathclyde
Room U, Portcullis House

BREAKFAST ROUNDTABLE | Affordable Energy Bills in a Volatile World

As energy markets face continued volatility driven by global conflict and geopolitical uncertainty, delivering affordable energy bills has become a central policy challenge. This Net Zero Week roundtable will explore why affordability must sit at the heart of the transition, drawing on research showing that vulnerable households, including those with protected characteristics, are most exposed to high energy costs. The discussion will examine practical policy solutions, including the balance between direct bill support and long-term measures such as energy efficiency, and the case for recovering low carbon policy costs through taxation. The session builds on work from the Centre for Energy Policy, EDRC, and UKERC.

policymakers can Book attendance here

13:00 - 14:30
Hosted by Energy Research Accelerator (ERA)
Room T, Portcullis House

LUNCH ROUNDTABLE | Advancing the UK Battery Sector

The Energy Research Accelerator will convene a high-level roundtable to examine the UK’s position in the rapidly evolving global battery landscape. As energy storage becomes central to net zero and industrial growth, the discussion will focus on how the UK can strengthen competitiveness and capture greater economic value. Key themes will include: National challenges and global positioning, the role of the UK battery ecosystem, innovation and emerging technologies, skills and workforce development, policy and investment environment. Panellists will include representatives from the battery manufacturing industry, leading academics in the sector, and end users of these technologies. The roundtable will aim to identify clear, actionable priorities to strengthen the UK battery sector and support its role in the energy transition.

policymakers can Book attendance here

15:00 - 16:30
Hosted by Amentum
Room Q, Portcullis House

AFTERNOON TEA ROUNDTABLE | Powering Data Centres: How can the UK ensure a ready supply of secure energy to meet the demand of AI?

With the increasing need for greater digital infrastructure, data centres have become an essential part of the UK’s economic future, ambitions around AI development, and also national resilience. In 2024, the UK had approximately 1.6 GW of data centre capacity across the country, which could rise to as much as 6.3 GW by 2030. Amidst the ongoing energy challenges facing the world, this roundtable discussion will consider the numerous energy sources available to us, including small modular reactors, and look to answer the question of how the increasing number of data centres are to be powered.

policymakers can Book attendance here

18:30 - 20:00
Hosted by Net Zero Week in Parliament and Beyondly
Terrace Dining Room A, Palace of Westminster

DRINKS RECEPTION | Net Zero Week in Parliament

Join Wera Hobhouse MP and Beyondly for drinks and canapes as we discuss Net Zero Beyond Borders - Why international alignment is critical to real-world impact.

policymakers can Book attendance here

Sponsor

Will Stone MP is the Government’s Business Champion for Net Zero and assigned with the task of ensuring businesses feel confident in pursuing their aims in a sustainable and climate cohesive way. Will is a passionate advocate for supporting businesses and helping them enter the 21st century, through greater take up of green initiatives like electrifying their vehicle fleet, utilising green power or promoting investment in the areas of the future. Most of all he is committed to ensuring that industrial centres of the 20th and 19th centuries are not left behind in the green revolution and instead are able to capitalise on both the economic and social opportunities the green revolution will bring.

Sponsor

Mike Reader MP is the Government's Business Champion for Construction and a Member of the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee. Mike brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as an executive-level leader in the construction industry. With nearly two decades in the sector, Mike is a passionate advocate for sustainable building practices and clean energy solutions. His background in civil engineering and project management informs his approach to environmental policy and infrastructure development. In Parliament, Mike champions initiatives that promote green technology, improve energy efficiency, and support the growth of the construction and built environment sector. He is committed to driving forward policies that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, ensuring a sustainable future for Northampton South and beyond.

Sponsor

James Naish MP. Before entering parliament, James worked full-time in the energy industry, leading large consumer programmes including smart metering, faster customer switching and price control business planning (2023-2028). He has also been involved with the green energy agenda as a Councillor and Council Leader, helping to secure the UK’s first fusion prototype energy plant for Bassetlaw in the north of Nottinghamshire, and promoting Local Area Energy Planning across the county. James works across industry as a Vice President of the Association for Decentralised Energy and is committed to helping the new government using his professional background. He was elected as the new MP for Rushcliffe in July 2024.

Sponsor

Wera Hobhouse MP is a Member of the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee and a prominent advocate for climate action. Wera served as the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, and Transport for over five years, until September 2024. She is a vocal proponent of strong environmental policies, focusing on the urgency of addressing the climate crisis and promoting sustainability. She is dedicated to pushing for ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions, transition to renewable energy, and protect biodiversity. As a committed campaigner, Wera has consistently emphasised the need for bold, science-backed policies and works to ensure that climate change is prioritised at both the national and international levels. Her leadership is crucial in shaping the UK's green future.

Sponsor

Andrew Bowie MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Shadow Minister of State for Energy.

Supporter

Bill Esterson has been MP for Sefton Central since 2010 and was elected Chair of the Commons Select Committee for Energy Security and Net Zero in September 2024. He has previously held the position of Shadow Minister for Transport, Shadow Minister for Business and Industry, Shadow Minister for International Trade and Shadow Minister for Small Business. Mr Esterson started and grew two businesses between 1995 and 2010 and was a local councillor before entering parliament. He graduated from Leeds University in 1990 with BSc Hons in Maths and Philosophy and trained as a chartered accountant after graduating.

Supporter

Mike Martin is the Liberal Democrat MP for Tunbridge Wells. He is a member of the Defence Select Committee and the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy as well as the Net Zero APPG. Mike graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biological Sciences and is a Senior Fellow at King’s College London. He is a former British army officer who served multiple tours in Helmand, Afghanistan. Since leaving the army, he has also had other leadership roles, including as a senior executive in a global charity working to bring different people and organisations together to solve problems.

Supporter

Dr Scott Arthur MP, Member of the Transport Select Committee.

Supporter

Perran Moon MP is the Government’s Business Champion for Renewables, Critical Minerals and Electric Vehicles. Prior to his election in July 2024, Perran worked for 30 years in the UK automotive market and was latterly the Director of a national electric vehicle charging company that only used renewable energy. He represents Camborne, Redruth and Hayle in Cornwall, which arguably boasts the UK’s widest cluster of renewable and critical minerals opportunities, including onshore wind, offshore wind, geothermal, tidal, solar, tin, lithium and tungsten. Perran is a passionate campaigner for net zero and a fierce critic of blockers of the UK’s transition to a renewable energy-based economy.

Sponsor

Josh MacAlister OBE is the Labour Member of Parliament for Whitehaven and Workington in Cumbria and PPS to Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, The Rt Hon Pat McFadden. Elected in July 2024 for the constituency covering Sellafield, Josh is a strong advocate for the nuclear industry and was a previous chair of the Nuclear APPG. Prior to his career in politics, Josh trained as a teacher and went on to establish Frontline, a graduate social worker training programme modelled on Teach First.

Sponsor

Lauren Edwards was elected as the Labour MP for Rochester and Strood in July 2024. Prior to this she was the Medway Council Cabinet Member for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward Investment and worked as a Manager in financial regulation at the Bank of England, with a spell seconded to HM Treasury. She has also worked for the Communication Workers Union and for several Labour MPs in Westminster. She co-chairs the Skills, Employment and Careers APPG as well as others relating to Digital Money and Markets, Insurance and Financial Services. She is also Vice-Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee.

Sponsor

Alex Sobel MP, Chair of the Net Zero APPG and former Shadow Environment Minister.

Sponsor

Josh Newbury MP, Member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee and Chair of the Energy Studies APPG and Officer of the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage APPG.

Get Involved

If your organisation would like to be part of the delegation at Net Zero Week in Parliament, please see our Contact page and reach out.