Sustainability LIVE: Net Zero – The Energy Transition

The Future of Energy Transition panel at Sustainability LIVE: Net Zero 2025 brought together five influential voices from across the sustainability and energy spectrum. 

The session tackled key topics ranging from hydrogen and electrification to regulatory risk and long-term investment, offering an unflinching look at what’s driving and delaying the global energy shift.

Panellists included:

• Emma Guthrie, CEO at The Hydrogen Energy Association

• Dirk Idstein, Managing Director, Enel X Advisory Services Europe at Enel X Advisory Services

• Rhian Kelly, Chief Sustainability Officer at National Grid

• John Bamford, Head of Sustainability, UK&I at Schneider Electric

• Michelle Davies, Global Head of Sustainability Law and Partner at EY

What’s driving the transition?

Kicking off the session, Emma Guthrie, CEO at The Hydrogen Energy Association, highlighted hydrogen’s rising profile as a clean energy ‘glue’ between electrification and hard-to-decarbonise sectors. 

“Hydrogen can act as a buffer for intermittent sources or power zero-emission transport where batteries fall short,” she said.

Rhian Kelly, Chief Sustainability Officer at National Grid, outlined a surge in electricity demand across their network. 

“In our distribution business alone, 2023 saw a 42% increase in demand. That’s primarily driven by EVs, heat pumps and data centres,” she explained. She noted National Grid's £35bn (US$46.7bn) investment from 2026–2031, including plans to renovate 3,500km of overhead lines.

From a corporate lens, Dirk Idstein, Managing Director, Enel X Advisory Services Europe at Enel X Advisory Services, stressed that the energy transition must be both strategic and pragmatic. 

“We help clients connect their energy use with cost, risk and emissions,” he explained. “Some corporates are paralysed by economic or regulatory uncertainty. Others use it as noise and stay the course.”

John Bamford, Head of Sustainability, UK&I at Schneider Electric, echoed that resilience and energy security are now primary drivers. 

“Gas prices have surged 4,000% in the past two decades. We need independence through renewables and low-carbon fuels,” he said.

Michelle Davies, Global Head of Sustainability Law and Partner at EY, summarised the shift succinctly: “Net zero used to be driven by environmental idealism. Now it’s about energy and commodity security – and delivering value.”

Barriers to progress

The panellists candidly unpacked the friction slowing the transition. Rhian pointed to regulatory challenges and risk-reward dynamics in the UK’s energy framework. 

Emma added that international governments, particularly in the Global South, often struggle to follow the UK’s grid evolution due to a lack of support and infrastructure.

Dirk noted that stakeholder alignment inside organisations remains a major barrier. 

“Parts of a company may be aligned, others not. Communication and cohesion are often underestimated,” he said.

John raised another common challenge: time horizons. 

“The C-suite still operates in five-year cycles. But energy strategy needs to be long-term – 10 to 15 years or more. That shift is essential,” he argued.

Michelle offered a stark perspective. 

“Sustainability actions now need to track through to value. Saying ‘it’s the right thing to do’ isn’t enough. Offsets could be a bridge – but only if they’re credible, verifiable and part of a wider, measurable transition plan.”

Solutions: from pragmatism to innovation

Moving to solutions, the panel explored both technical and strategic responses to the decarbonisation challenge. 

Dirk spotlighted demand-side response and biofuels: “Not sexy, but powerful. With smart technology, these can make a huge impact without changing infrastructure.”

John championed heat pumps and smart grid innovations, pointing out that batteries and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology have the potential to stabilise energy demand and unlock flexibility.

Michelle acknowledged the tech-driven shift: “Over half the companies we assess for innovation awards now offer tech-based energy solutions. From smart grids to integrated onsite energy ecosystems, the pace of innovation is impressive.”

Emma detailed advances in hydrogen, including production via electrolysis or high-temperature nuclear and its potential use in hard-to-electrify sectors like HGVs, maritime and aviation.

Rhian shared how National Grid’s £500m (US$667m) venture fund is backing scalable tech, including vegetation analytics for biodiversity and Scope 3 reduction, smart conductor cables and real-time sag sensors for more efficient energy flow.

Advice for business leaders

The panel concluded with advice for business leaders navigating the transition:

• Emma: “Be a champion for net zero. Stay proud of what sustainability means and push back when the language starts to shift politically.”

• Rhian: “Sustainability isn’t a side project. Embed it into your corporate strategy – into the DNA of your organisation.”

• Dirk: “Keep it simple. View energy transition as a form of resilience and competitiveness. Don’t overcomplicate what can be practical.”

• John: “Plan now. Build strong governance and strategy frameworks, even if the tech isn’t ready yet.”

• Michelle: “Uncertainty is the only certainty. Maintain transparency with your stakeholders and clearly show how net zero is delivering financial value.”

With challenges and opportunities laid bare, the panel demonstrated just how multifaceted and urgent the energy transition has become – and how a mix of ambition, technology and resilience will be essential to succeed.

Essential diary dates for 2025

Discover the essential diary dates for Sustainability Magazine and its sister publications – Procurement Magazine and Supply Chain Digital. 

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• Sustainability LIVE Chicago |  28-29 May

• Procurement LIVE Chicago | 28-29 May

• Supply Chain LIVE Chicago | 28-29 May

• Sustainability LIVE London | 9-10 September 

• The Global Sustainability & ESG Awards | 10 September 

• Sustainability LIVE: Climate Week NYC | 22 September

• Sustainability LIVE: COP 30 Brazil | 11 November

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