IEA - Experts & Thought Leaders

ESS Expo, the UK’s largest environmental event, has released its full agenda for its 2024 show, which is set to welcome a record number of over 12,000 visitors and over 600 exhibiting companies. Returning to the NEC (National Exhibition Center), Birmingham, from 11-12 September 2024, the show unites five key industry events – Resource & Waste Management Expo (RWM), Energy, Fuels & Decarbonization Expo (EFD), Water Resource Management Expo (WRM), Contamination & Land Remediation Expo (CLR), and the Air Pollution Control Expo (APC). Various features and events The 2024 edition will follow three core themes to address some of the most pressing and pertinent environmental challenges – net-zero, the circular economy, and biodiversity – with various features and events designed to explore innovative solutions and strategies to address each of these challenges. The 2024 edition will follow three core themes to manage some of the most pressing challenges Carefully curated to inspire, educate, and motivate the professional community, the show will present a line-up of industry pioneers, celebrities, government speakers, environmental policymakers, and ambitious starters for hundreds of panel sessions, speaker sessions, and Q&As across the two days. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from more than 350 speakers from DEFRA, the NHS, Winvic, Anglian Water, Sony, Virgin Media O2, Heathrow Airport, Lloyds Banking Group, Department of Business & Trade, Environment Agency, National Grid, Biffa, John F Hunt, National Highways, Strata Homes, Viridor, Yorkshire Water, and many more, who will deliver expertly-led sessions across the show’s expansive 17 stages and theaters. latest technologies and solutions The stages, committed to providing premier platforms for knowledge sharing, networking, and showcasing the latest technologies and solutions, include; Net Zero Summit Theater Environment Networking Hub Green Skills & Future Talent Hub Circular Economy & Sustainability Stage Municipal Stage Materials & Markets Stage Packaging & EPR Stage Start-Up & Innovation Zone Live Demonstration Area ESS Live Stage Contamination & Land Remediation Keynote Contamination & Land Remediation Technical Stage Water Keynote Stage Water Technical Stage Energy Keynote Stage Energy from Waste & Bioenergy Stage Air Pollution & Emission Keynote Stage. Morning panel discussion Opening a morning panel discussion on ‘The Future of Environment & Sustainability: 2024’ in the Net Zero Summit Theater, will be Jennifer Brown, Associate Director, Public Services Advisory, Net Zero at Grant Thornton UK LLP; Bethany Cockshutt, Associate, Business Services at The Carbon Trust; Jonathon Porritt, writer and campaigner on sustainable development; Chani Courtney, Regional Rep of Surfers Against Sewage; and David Donnelly, Committee Member of IOSH. The critical role of biodiversity and its potential to alter how they close environmental conservation Another panel, ‘Leaders in Waste’ will follow, featuring Maxine Mahew, COO of Biffa; John Scanlon, CEO of Suez; Neil Grundon, CEO of Grundon; Dr Anna Willetts, Partner of GunnerCooke; and Steve Molyneux, Deputy Director of Waste Regulation at the Environment Agency, will explore the future outlook for the resource sector as they enter a new era of Government. Exploring the critical role of biodiversity and its potential to transform how they approach environmental conservation and urban development will be the panel discussion, ‘Giving nature a boost: Is Biodiversity Net Gain the key to Sustainable Development?’ led by Adam Bedford, Collaborative Projects Director of Fera Science Ltd.; Julia Baker, Technical Director of Mott MacDonald; Gabriel Smith, Senior Officer - Biodiversity Net Gain of Natural England; Martin Ballard, Head of Environment at Wates Group; and Leigh Broadhurst, Biodiversity Policy Lead at the ESA. Green Skills & Future Talent Hub The Green Skills & Future Talent Hub, dedicated to fueling the talent pipeline for the future of green industries, will present a number of panels and speaker sessions across the two days. Speakers, Manu Maunganidze from the RACE Report; Emilija Rudinskaite, Climate Education Specialist at Earth Watch; Ray Nash, Fundraising Officer and Andy Harrison, Head of Delivery and Learning at ESS charity partner, Groundwork; Katie Cockburn, Senior Director of Policy Media and Education at CIWM; and Afiya Howe, HR Business Partner at Biffa, will discuss the important discussion of: ‘How Can We Build a More Diverse and Inclusive Environmental Workforce?’ Rudinskaite will then go on to present a session on: ‘Building Green Skills in Young People and the Presence of Role Models’. Circular Economy & Sustainability Stage At the Circular Economy & Sustainability Stage, dedicated to exploring the principles and practices to create a closed loop environment, Geoff Mackey, UK Country Head for Plastics Europe; Kieren Mayers, Vice President, Environment, Social, & Governance at Sony Interactive Entertainment; Matt Manning, Head of Circularity & Net Zero at BT Group plc; Lauren Rabbitte, Sales Executive at ECS; and Rob McCann, Head of Environment, Climate and Nature for Virgin Media O2, will hold a panel discussion on, ‘How Your Business Can Thrive and Survive in the Circular Future!’ Later, Simon Gandy, Technical Director of SLR Consulting and Julia Baker, Technical Director of Mott Macdonald will present a Q&A session titled, ‘The Evolving Market: How Consultancies Are Translating Sustainability Trends into Action’. Municipal Stage A full schedule of sessions, panels, and Q&As across all stages and hubs has been revealed on the website The Municipal Stage, a place for local authorities and service providers to cover waste management, urban planning, and environmental policy, among other municipal topics will be experts from SLR Consulting, Grant Thornton, WRAP, Veolia, the Welsh Government, and more. The full schedule of sessions, panels, and Q&As across all stages and hubs has been revealed on the ESS Expo website. In addition to the event’s conference offering will be live, in-action demonstrations of the latest material handling and processing machinery from JCB, CRJ services, Doyle Machinery, and Dustquip in the Live Demo Area. Additionally, music entertainment will be provided on the ESS Live Stage and in RWM’s al fresco area, the Inn on the Green. Complementing the event’s conference program will be an abundance of networking events, lead with the ESS Connect Party on 11 September which will welcome 400 of the industry's brightest experts. Tickets to this exclusive event are limited, so attendees are encouraged to book now. A show floor of all things green More than 600 exhibitors will join the show across its five events, displaying the latest innovative solutions, designs, technologies, and services in their respective fields. At RWM, visitors will see pioneering industry names such as Addex Group, AuraQ, Biffa Waste Services Limited, British Plastics Federation, Egger Timberpak, Firechief, Honeywell, Recycleye, Renault Trucks, and more. Following the news that it has raised $3.25 million in venture funding, Sensorita, the Oslo-based waste-management start-up will be showcasing its sensor technology, while Leafield Environmental, the pioneering UK manufacturer of premium litter and recycling bins, will showcase how its products continue to support businesses, councils, and institutions improve their waste management solutions. Scott Newell, chairman of the world's foremost expert in automobile shredders and recycling equipment, Newell Recycling, will present to attendees the company’s shredding process and its evolutionary development. At WRM, Spinaclean, a trailblazer in the cleaning and maintenance industry, will showcase its latest innovation, FloodVac, a fully mobile dual-pump water extraction system that aims to revolutionize the flood and water extraction industry. Other pioneering bodies and organizations will join the expo including Brenntag, GreenBlue Urban, Ofwat Innovation Fund, SoluForm, The Woodland Trust, and more. Joining CLR will be the British Geological Survey, British Society of Soil Science, Envirotreat, Robertson Geo, The Coal Authority, the UK & Ireland Spill Association, amongst others, plus Rain for Rent, a pioneering provider of temporary liquid handling solutions including pumps, tanks, filtration, and spill containment. Turnkey Instruments Ltd., a pioneering designer and manufacturer of high-quality industrial and scientific instrumentation, will carry out live demonstrations of its full equipment range, including its new iGASair unit for recording and reporting of multiple gas species, viewed remotely through its AirQWeb cloud server and iVIBEpeli Integrated Noise & Vibration monitor. Meanwhile, EFD will feature innovators will host ACCIONA, Assentech, Drycake, Greens Power Limited, KEW Technology, Pemo Pumps, and more. Making a presence for the first time at the new APC will be EarthSense, Protea Limited, Soarability, WWF, and more to be announced soon. Celebrating the industry’s progress Women in Resource & Sustainability initiative is another inclusive networking platform taking place at the show Open to all ambitious pioneers, innovators, and changemakers in the sector, the brand-new Environment 100 Recognition Scheme will acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional leadership, forward-thinking, and commitment to ecological preservation and sustainability within the UK. The final selection of the 100 will be judged by an illustrious panel of experts and industry pioneers from The Society for the Environment (SocEnv), The Renewable Energy Association (REA), The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT), Groundwork, CIWEM, and Letsrecycle.com, and announced at the highly anticipated ceremony on 11 September (day one) in the Net Zero Summit Theater. Meanwhile, the 35 Under 35 Awards celebrates individuals under the age of 35 in waste and recycling, water management, energy, construction, and roles connected to managing sustainability. The shortlist and top three winners will be announced at the Net Zero Summit Theater on 12 September (day two). Aimed at celebrating women working across the UK's green economy and their achievements, the Women in Resource & Sustainability initiative is another inclusive networking platform taking place at the show. Designed to celebrate and connect the contributions of inspiring women in the resource, recycling, and waste management sectors, attendees will be able to share their experiences, challenges, and success stories at the Environment Networking Hub on 12 September. UK’s green transition and commitments Rob Mowat, Managing Director of ESS Expo, said: "The UK’s green transition and commitments to achieving circularity requires one thing – collaboration. The huge efforts and strides needed to achieve the new government’s Green Prosperity Plan is not something that can be done alone." "We will combine five unique sectors in one, uniting pioneers and experts pioneering the way in delivering a circular economy, reduced net-zero emissions, improved sustainability, and biodiversity conservation. Collectively, they will provide attendees with a 360° view of the industry, with ESS also providing unrivaled knowledge exchange and networking opportunities.”

The World Economic Forum’s Centre for Urban Transformation and UN-Habitat has honored ProjectZero with its Award of Distinction for Public-Private Collaboration in Cities in recognition of the positive and measurable impact demonstrated in the city of Sønderborg in southern Denmark. The award ceremony took place in Detroit, Michigan, USA, as part of the World Economic Forum’s Urban Transformation Summit which brings together visionary pioneers from business, government, civil society, media, and philanthropy to forge new partnerships, showcase innovative solutions and mobilize action in support of more sustainable and inclusive cities and urban economies.  ProjectZero ProjectZero was established as a public-private partnership in 2007 with a vision of turning Sønderborg Municipality’s energy system carbon neutral by 2029. The project was initiated by the Bitten & Mads Clausen Foundation, the majority shareholder in Danfoss, Sønderborg Municipality, the University of Southern Denmark, and several local companies, as well as other public and private organizations. Danfoss contributes to ProjectZero by supplying energy-efficient cooling and heating solutions Danfoss contributes to ProjectZero by supplying energy-efficient cooling and heating solutions, collaborating on electrification projects, and promoting sector integration where industry, energy production, transport, and others work together to reuse energy that has already been produced. 57% emission savings In September 2023, ProjectZero announced that energy-related carbon emissions have been reduced by 57 percent, equivalent to a saving of around 400,000 tons of CO2. ProjectZero was recognized as a true example of the benefits of the public and private sectors coming together.  forging new partnerships “ProjectZero provides a model for how the public and private sector can come together to deliver on big, bold ambitions which might otherwise not be possible,” said Jeff Merritt, Head of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Urban Transformation. “By recognizing this world-pioneering effort, we hope to encourage and inspire other cities to follow suit, forging new partnerships to accelerate climate action.”   replicable, adaptable, and scalable What a city can achieve in the way of emissions reductions when public and private organizations team up" Rick Sporrer, President of the North America Region, Danfoss, accepted the award on behalf of ProjectZero. He said, “ProjectZero is a clear example of what a city can achieve in the way of emissions reductions when public and private organizations team up to find local solutions to a global problem." "Cities account for more than 70 percent of annual global carbon emissions and we must learn from each other. A public-private partnership like ProjectZero is replicable, adaptable, and scalable for other cities around the world and can help us achieve our global climate goals.” intelligent and integrated energy system The ProjectZero model focuses on creating and demonstrating an intelligent and integrated energy system across an entire municipality, offering energy savings. ProjectZero is one of the main reasons that Dr. Faith Birol, Director of the IEA, named Sønderborg “the global capital of energy efficiency” at 2022's IEA conference on energy efficiency.    Reducing decarbonization costs The various sources of energy and sectors connect in a flexible network that works coherently The various sources of energy and sectors connect in a flexible network that works coherently, allowing, for example, houses to be heated by surplus heat from local companies, electric cars can be charged when there is less pressure on energy consumption, and data is used to ensure that energy is efficiently utilized in the best possible way. This model makes it possible to reduce the costs of decarbonization by up to 50 percent. energy efficiency, sector integration, and green energy In response to ProjectZero receiving the award, Brian Seeberg, CEO, of ProjectZero, said, “The strong commitment and collaboration in our partnership is the very backbone of ProjectZero, and the key to reaching zero in 2029. I am therefore very pleased that this award recognizes this unique partnership." "Cities around the world can turn to Sønderborg as a blueprint for how to reduce their emissions. We’ve shown it is possible to make an impact by focusing on three key principles: energy efficiency, sector integration, and green energy sources. This is something all cities around the world can and should do.”

Eurovent Middle East, the region’s HVACR industry association, is set to launch its Leadership Academy and provide certified training to MEP engineers and technicians in a press conference on 03 October 2023, at Le Royal Meridian, in Dubai Marina, UAE.  The Leadership Academy will provide focused education and training on products and technologies, including essential information on specifications, regulations, standards, and operation and maintenance practices. Efficient cooling and electricity consumption The announcement comes at a time when efficient cooling is gaining awareness as a critical component in broader sustainability objectives within the Middle East region, where cooling is vital to daily life. According to the IEA, the use of air conditioners and electric fans already accounts for about a fifth of the total electricity in buildings worldwide – 10% of all global electricity consumption. Reports also noted that in the next three decades, the use of ACs is set to soar, becoming one of the top drivers of global electricity demand. An estimated 70% of a building’s energy consumption is attributed to its cooling and ventilation requirements in the UAE, with up to 30% being potentially saved by simply implementing adequate maintenance procedures. Education and Training platform for professionals Eurovent courses will conclude with a certificate providing with improved career opportunities Eurovent Middle East is dedicated to providing a platform that focuses on the education and training of HVACR professionals to increase the skills, understanding and capabilities of the industry’s workforce.  This will not only contribute a big step towards more energy efficiency in the cooling, refrigeration, and ventilation sectors but also will help extend the service life and longevity of installations, reduce operational costs, and provide a safer and healthier indoor environment to people. All courses will conclude with a dedicated certificate, helping participants to document their continued education and providing them with improved career opportunities.  Providing basic skills Markus Lattner, International Director of Eurovent International and Managing Director, Eurovent Middle East, commented, “We see that missing knowledge among professionals is one of the prime reasons for inefficient cooling, refrigeration, and ventilation. It is also true that dedicated continued education is hard to find. Therefore, the industry believes that action in capacity building is essential for the region’s growth and sustainability plans." "Eurovent Middle East and its members consider this its primary responsibility as an industry association. With the joint expertise of our members and selected partners, we are committed to supporting the market with essential training and education for efficient cooling.” Increasing awareness and providing guidance Eurovent Middle East has in the past organized numerous workshops on various topics to increase awareness among MEP Engineers on products and technologies available on the market. It has also been among the first associations worldwide to issue guidance and recommendations during the pandemic and alert people on the risks related to COVID-19 associated with lack of ventilation in closed spaces.

With ongoing efforts from governments across the globe to reduce carbon emissions and with an ever greater focus on sustainability, it is vital that the HVAC sector does its part in becoming more environmentally conscious. And, while there have been steps to become more sustainable, there is a huge amount that still needs to be done to make sure that many of the targets that have been set are attainable. In buildings, both large and small, industrial heating accounts for roughly two thirds of industrial energy demand and around a fifth of global energy consumption. Figures like this show the need to have efficient and environmentally-friendly HVAC equipment in place to make the crucial steps towards reducing the contributions these systems make to our carbon footprint. High energy consumption in construction sector A 2019 report by The International Environment Agency (IEA) showed that the buildings and construction sectors combined were responsible for over 30% of global energy consumption and nearly 40% of carbon emissions. This is indicative of the steps the sector needs to take to play its role in a more eco-friendly society, some of which are already underway. However, much more needs to be done if the UK is to reach its goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As we envisage what a post-COVID world might look like, businesses and governments are continuing to put sustainability and lower carbon emissions at the forefront of their planning and the HVAC sector is certainly no exception. But with change in the sector a daunting prospect, decision-makers often don’t know where to start. Smart Technology use in HVAC systems Smart HVAC uses sensors that integrate with a building’s automation system With the constant growth and greater deployment of smart technologies within the HVAC sector, this is certainly a way that systems can become more efficient. Smart HVAC uses sensors that integrate with a building’s automation system. These sensors then collect information about conditions throughout the building. Heat waves are now a far more common occurrence in the United Kingdom. The Met Office estimates they are up to 30 times more likely and will be a bi-annual occurrence by 2050. It is important that any uptake in HVAC usage doesn’t lead to a drastic increase in emission generation. This is one of the areas where smart systems will become crucial. Many scientists have been unequivocal in their sentiment that heat waves are a cause of greater emissions and expect temperature records in the UK and Europe to be broken more regularly, so sites will need to be equipped to handle these conditions. Regulating temperature with hand-held devices With wireless systems now much more commonplace, temperatures can be controlled easily from hand-held devices. With these new technologies, those managing the systems can also benefit from remote monitoring and maintenance, reducing the need to travel to the site for yet another environmental incentive. To accompany the smart systems, equipment including smart thermostats can be installed to maximize HVAC efficiency. Other smart systems available to businesses include smart furnaces and air conditioning units that are far easier to operate than their traditional counterparts. Reducing unnecessary ventilation While global temperatures continue to rise, air conditioning usage has increased and has contributed to greater levels of energy usage. A huge amount of needless emissions are generated by unnecessary ventilation, contributing heavily to heat loss and overall energy wastage. Recirculation of air is a traditionally lower energy cost method of retaining heat and keeping emissions low, however, we must be mindful of the risks associated with recirculating air. The risk of circulating diseases is negated somewhat with heat recovery ventilation, which both removes the risk of disease spreading and improves energy consumption. Efficiency performance of new AC units Air conditioning units in particular contribute significantly to a building’s energy consumption Air conditioning units in particular contribute significantly to a building’s energy consumption, equating to 10% of the UK’s electricity consumption and as such it is important that we bear in mind ways to counteract the emissions this creates. Global energy demand for air conditioning units is expected to triple by 2050, as temperatures continue to rise year on year. The efficiency performance of new air conditioning units will be the key, when it comes to ensuring that escalating demand does not equate to greater emissions. Another issue for suppliers and manufacturers to address is differing rates of consumption for AC units in different countries, with units sold in Japan and the EU typically more efficient than those found in China and the US. Modularization Modular HVACs have also become increasingly popular in recent years. Modular HVACs are responsible for heating, cooling and distributing air through an entire building, with their increase in popularity largely down to their greater levels of energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, flexibility and substantial ease of installation and maintenance. Modular HVACs can be tailored specifically for workspaces and they often allow work to be done on the systems without disturbing the workforce, achieved primarily through rooftop placement. Commercial workspaces are larger and often require differing needs to residential properties and can cater to a wide range of the specific requirements of work and commercial spaces. As we strive for lower carbon emissions, it seems that this trend will continue and will become a key area in reducing emissions that HVACs have traditionally generated. System maintenance and training To meet government and industry requirements, many new buildings will require HVAC systems that can be maintained simply in order to perform in a more energy efficient way. Many companies are looking at ways to become climate neutral and significantly reduce their footprint Many companies are looking at ways to become climate neutral and significantly reduce their footprint. Companies are following the likes of German-based company, Wilo Group, who have announced they are committing to sustainable manufacturing by developing a new carbon neutral plant and HQ in the next few years. Lowering carbon footprint As we continue to move towards an ever more environmentally conscious society, it will be of paramount importance for companies, governments and the public to think about ways in which we can lower carbon emissions. Smart technologies will certainly be at the forefront of this, negating many needless journeys and making it easier for industries to adjust settings and tackle issues remotely. Greater levels of training will help equip us with the tools to make sure we are best placed to reduce emissions and be more sustainable as a result. While the steps outlined above do show some progress and measures we can take, there is far more that we can do as a sector to significantly reduce HVAC’s carbon footprint and once we have moved beyond the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this will surely be at the front of industry leader minds.