Owen Anderson: ‘The world needs to align on net zero goals’

Owen Anderson is head of sustainability at OVO Energy. He leads on the company’s net zero strategy and is passionate about decarbonisation.

His background is in climate change, oceanography and renewable energy.

Speaking at the Blue Earth Summit for purpose-led business, Owen gave Bristol24/7 some insight into the role of energy companies in the green transition and why businesses should be more bold in support of sustainability.

What’s the topic of your talk/panel session at this year’s Blue Earth Summit? What do you hope the audience will take away from it?

I’ll be joining broadcast journalist Hannah MacInnes to discuss the motivations driving OVO’s net zero pathway, sharing insights into the bigger changes – from green jobs and policies to financial mechanisms – that will be required to fully realise the net zero future we’ve all signed up to. Hopefully a guide for all those keen to deliver net zero in a way that doesn’t rely on offsetting.

Consumers, industry and government agree that the green transition – from fossil fuels to renewable energy – needs to happen.

As the UK moves faster towards rising temperatures, it is the duty of every energy supplier to be transparent about carbon, and pave a pathway to using less of it.

Through its ten-year response to the climate crisis, Plan Zero, OVO is committed to making zero carbon living a reality for as many of its customers as possible, but there’s no one size fits all.

By harnessing the power of green technologies, incentivising consumption reduction, upskilling the green workforce of the future and influencing green policy, OVO hopes to make sustainable living a standard afforded to everyone.

We hope others will join us in advocating for less net and more zero as we create the greener, fairer energy system of the future.

Which speaker are you most looking forward to hearing from and why?

I’m looking forward to starting the day with Save the Sea on the future stage, and closing out with Business of Rewilding on the Forum Stage.

I think it’s important to understand what’s required to protect both our land and our seas, considering how interdependent they are, and how dependent we are on them.

OVO’s Bristol HQ near Temple Meads station – photo: Rachel Sutherland

What’s the single most important thing businesses can do to step up on sustainability?

Lower their energy consumption and decarbonise. Offsetting is no longer a legitimate way to reduce your carbon footprint.

The UK has been somewhat protected from the day to day impacts of climate change, but no longer. Hotter summers and more turbulent winters are here, and they will have serious effects on our natural environments. We must lower our atmospheric carbon.

How important are events like Blue Earth Summit in driving forward positive action on nature and climate?

In order to reach net zero it’s essential that the world aligns on its goals and we work together to make them a reality.

Conversation means progress, and it’s only through open, honest and transparent communication that tangible goals can be set and communities mobilised.

Tell us about one of your favourite outdoor spaces and how it inspires you.

I live near Victoria Park in East London, and honestly I am there pretty much every day. Green spaces, especially in cities, are such incredible assets and we need to protect them.

They not only support better physical and mental health, but will help with climate mitigation and adaptation. Keeping cities cooler, and the air cleaner.

Main photo: Ursula Billington

The Blue Earth Summit 2023 takes place from 11-13 October at Propyard and The Wave.

Inspired by the great outdoors, the three-day event plays host to industry pioneers, provocative thought-leaders, sustainability trailblazers, insightful solutionists and boundary-pushing start-ups. It‘s the place to explore, collaborate and take action. To find out more and book tickets, visit blueearthsummit.com.

Read next:

• Foluke Adebisi: ‘Decolonisation is of fundamental importance’
• Natalie Fee: ‘The world needs positive stories’
• Bevis Watts: ‘We have to be able to call out greenwash’
• Blue Earth Summit: ‘A platform for the future where no one gets left behind’

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