Council for Net Zero Transport Quarterly Briefing focuses on building economic prosperity
Fri 12 September 2025
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The latest Zemo-convened Council for Net Zero Transport Quarterly Briefing - held in mid-September - focused on how decarbonising road transport can help to build long-term economic prosperity for the UK. Chaired by Lord Deben, leading industry experts exchanged views on how the transition to net zero transport can create thousands of jobs, upskill the workforce, cut congestion and pollution costs and foster innovation in sectors such as retail electricity.
Alongside Lord Deben - who is a former chair of the UK's Climate Change Committee - were Dyrr Ardash (Director of Business Development) of Warwick Manufacturing Group), Catherine Bowen (Head of Decarbonisation and Future Mobility) of BVRLA, Jamie Wilson (Head of Concepts and Advanced Engineering) of Alexander Dennis and Charles Wood (Director of Policy) of Energy UK.
The panellists and invited delegates discussed how delivering green growth from decarbonising transport will require long term stability to facilitate new investment. While the Government’s new industrial strategy provides greater clarity, UK manufacturers face particular challenges, such as higher electricity costs than European competitors as well as growing uncertainty as a result of US tariffs.
Low carbon industries also need a robust skills base. Immigration policy remains contentious, and growth in defence industries could draw talent away from low carbon transport. At the same time, the sector must engage mass markets in tandem with government policies to boost demand for used EVs. The panel agreed that there is a need to bust some misconceptions, for example those around battery life.
Zemo’s Acting Managing Director, Jonathan Murray, stressed the need for the sector to set out its own clear vision for net zero, backed by coordinated engagement with government. Zemo will work with members and partners to make the case to DfT, DESNZ and mayoral authorities for the potential of 'green growth' in road transport and the policies needed to deliver it.
Zemo members are invited to attend the Council for Net Zero Transport's Quarterly Briefings as well as attend Partnership sector-specific working groups, for which the next series is about to begin. To join the Partnership and help accelerate transport's decarbonisation transition, visit Zemo's website here.
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