The Waterline Summit 2023
The Waterline Summit 2023 took place on Monday 13th, Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th November 2023 at Aura Innovation Centre, Hull. As the Humber region's largest decarbonisation event, the summit brought together businesses large and small, academics, industry experts and young people to learn, discuss and tackle the greatest challenge of our time as we all work together to reach net zero.
The theme of the Waterline Summit 2023 was Taking Stock, to align with the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 theme of Global Stocktake. The Waterline Summit 2023 had a focus on looking at our progress so far, acknowledging progress and looking to future action.
The popular Student Sustainability Challenge returned with thanks to Phillips 66.
Further themes of Adaptation & Resilience, and Energy Transition were explored on Days 2 and 3, with events from partners Arup, The University of Hull, Orsted, The Humber Offshore Wind Cluster, The Humber 2030 Vision, and Humber Freeport.
Panel talks included representatives from Smith & Nephew, Groupe Atlantic, Northern Powerhouse Partnership, RWE, Willerby Ltd, the Bio-D Company, SSE Thermal, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the University of Leeds, Siemens Gamesa, Wilder Humber, Active Training Team Ltd, Connexin Ltd, Hull University Business School, Drax, CATCH, Sewell Estates, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, as well as a COP28 youth delegate.
The Rt Hon Chris Skidmore MP, Chair of the Net Zero Review delivered the keynote speech and joined the launch event virtually.
Day 2 Events – Adaptation & Resilience Day
There is a need to develop a strategic response to climate change through a variety of mechanisms suited to our national circumstances. These include national adaptation strategies and local-level initiatives, such as adaptation plans. The challenge is to translate planning into successful implementation, building on examples of good practices that have emerged to build resilience to flooding, housing, utilities infrastructure, as well as building our energy and power resilience for the future.
Day 3 events – Energy Transition Day
We need the global transition to clean power to be at least four times faster than it is at present. The power sector accounts for a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. As demand for energy grows, the power sector must grow and decarbonise in parallel. Dramatic cost reductions in solar and wind energy mean that renewables are now cheaper than new coal in most parts of the world, and bring benefits via improved air quality, energy access and security, and creating jobs in new industries.
- 9am - 10:30am: Innovation and Collaboration: Shaping a Sustainable Humber - Read more
