‘Net zero is like learning a new skill … it’s time to join the club’

Leading Hull businesses have shared their net zero words of wisdom at a breakfast event held in the city.

Oh Yes! Net Zero chaired a panel discussion with members Ideal Heating, Bio-D and BACB Renewables to discuss the support available to organisations embarking on net zero projects.

The panel formed part of Hull City Council’s Business Breakfast, held at the Guildhall on Thursday 7th November.

Oh Yes! also joined an exhibition of businesses and organisations at the event, to engage with companies at all stages of their carbon reduction story.

Oh Yes! Net Zero hosted a panel discussion at Hull City Council’s business breakfast event, held at the Guildhall.

Melissa Rackham, Engagement Manager at Oh Yes! Net Zero, chaired the panel discussion.

She said: “Net zero is like learning a new skill. To use football as an analogy, you will start off playing in your local park and experimenting, learning the basics.

“You might then progress on to play for a team, learning from coaches and experts to help you hone your skills and move to the next level.

“Eventually, you might be an expert yourself, and start coaching and helping others. Our message to organisations is this … bring your boots and join our net zero club.”

From left: Heather Nixon, Sustainability Manager at Bio-D, Ciaran Sharpe, Information Director at BACB Renewables, Melissa Rackham, Engagement Manager at Oh Yes! Net Zero, and Jason Speedy, Chief Operations Officer at Ideal Heating.

Oh Yes! Net Zero was joined on the panel by BACB Renewables, a member of the campaign which also acts as a delivery partner for the carbon workshops which help businesses create and action a carbon reduction plan.

Also on the panel was UK-leading manufacturer Ideal Heating. Ideal is currently investing £60m at its site in Hull as it transitions its product portfolio from gas boilers to low carbon solutions like heat pumps.

Jason Speedy, Chief Operations Officer at Ideal Heating, spoke on the panel and said: “Being involved in Oh Yes! Net Zero has been really beneficial for us as a business.

“Net zero is not just about your own business, it is about the area coming together to help everyone on that carbon reduction journey.

“Getting our supply chain involved in net zero is vital. As a large business, we are fortunate to have the resources and the knowledge to move forwards, but we must make sure we are helping smaller organisations who may not have that luxury.”

Martin Budd, Climate Change Manager at Hull City Council, with Oh Yes! Net Zero’s Melissa Rackham.

Hull-based eco-friendly cleaning product manufacturer Bio-D recently received a King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development.

Bio-D’s product bottles are created from 100 per cent post-consumer plastic, and the business has achieved net zero for its scope one and two emissions.

Other landmarks include removing gas completely from the Bio-D site, which is now powered by renewable energy, and significant reducing the carbon footprint of every product manufactured.

Heather Nixon, Sustainability and Regulatory Manager at Bio-D, said: “Ethical values are part of our DNA. Having every member of the team involved and engaged in the sustainability journey has been so important for us.

“Net zero is an opportunity to engage with your team in a really exciting and meaningful way. You will be amazed how many brilliant ideas are already within your business, you just need to unlock them.”