The East of England took a bold step forward in the climate fight this week, as over 200 delegates gathered at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford on 16 July 2025 for the Net Zero and Climate Change Conference, a pivotal event uniting leaders across local government, industry, and academia.
Hosted in partnership by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), England’s Economic Heartland (EEH), Local Government East (LGE), and Transport East (TE), the conference set the tone for a region-wide commitment to collaborative climate action and net zero transformation.
With the theme “Powering Change Through Collaboration,” the event explored some of the region’s most pressing environmental challenges, from coastal erosion and rising sea levels to extreme water stress and rapid housing growth, while showcasing innovative solutions and regional strengths in sustainable energy and rural resilience.
Keynote addresses from sector leaders, including Sarah Mukherjee MBE Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), Kristen Green Crown Commercial Service, and Iain Stewart CBE (former Minister), emphasized the urgency of integrated, locally driven solutions.
Cllr Peter Schwier, Chair of the Regional Climate Change Forum said, “This conference isn’t just about ideas – it’s about driving real, collaborative action.”
“The East of England has the potential to lead the UK in net zero delivery and climate resilience. We look forward to turning today’s insights into policy through our forthcoming White Paper.”
Iain Stewart CBE, adviser, former Minister and former Chair of the Transport Select Committee spoke to conference about accelerating transport decarbonisation through cross sector and public/private collaboration. He said “Decarbonising transport cannot be achieved through a single body. It will be working through working together collaboratively.”
Sarah Mukerjee MBE, Chair of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment and Non-Executive Board member of the Environment Agency focused on a new way to talk about sustainability. In her speech she said, “The general public will ultimately make the decision about whether net zero happens or not.”
Kristen Green. Head of Sustainability, Crown Commercial Services focused on driving nature recovery locally. Speaking to conference she called for collaboration across authorities regardless of geography. She said, “Nature has no boundaries, so ensure that schemes are complementary.”
Highlights of the day included:
- Cross-sector workshops on clean energy, net-zero transport, climate-resilient housing, and rural and coastal adaptation.
- Policy-focused panels on devolution and climate funding mechanisms
- Collaborative sessions laying the groundwork for a Regional Net Zero White Paper to be submitted to Government.
Will Quince, Chair of Transport East said “Transport in the East is the sector that contributes most to emissions and a hotter and wetter climate impacts our networks. This conference helps build relationships between the public and private sectors speeding up delivery and fostering new solutions.
The region is benefiting from this collaboration with infrastructure for electric buses, vehicles and HGVs accelerating, and more people using buses and trains, and walking, wheeling and cycling.”
In a powerful show of regional unity, the conference concluded with a seven-point call to action urging central government to:
- Incentivise sustainable farming in the East of England
- Prioritise climate mitigation and adaptation funding.
- Accelerate investment in critical transport infrastructure like the Ely Junction upgrade.
- Commit to coastal and flood resilience through nature-based solutions.
- Strengthen habitat restoration and biodiversity
- Support integrated water resource management.
- Enable devolved climate action through local funding and powers.
Cllr Peter Schwier said, “This conference marks a significant milestone in regional climate leadership, underlining the East of England’s readiness to not just adapt to, but shape, a climate resilient and net zero future”.