SMEs and Decarbonisation: The South Yorkshire Energy Transition

As local authorities develop plans to decarbonise South Yorkshire, we’re bringing together leading regional figures to explore what the energy transition will mean for small and medium sized enterprises - and how they can be a part of the conversation.

Local authorities across the country are mandated to produce plans demonstrating how their regions will decarbonise in the years ahead to support the government’s target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. These Local Area Energy Plans, or LAEPs, are at various stages of development and delivery across the region.

SMEs are a vital part of this transition, yet they are often the last to know how these shifts will change their operations, or how they can engage with the process. Whether facing mandated changes like the electrification of processes or considering voluntary steps toward sustainable operations, SMEs will undoubtedly feel the direct impact of these plans.

That is why we’re bringing together key figures from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield’s universities and industry partners to help SMEs navigate this complex landscape.

While there is no single quick fix, our event is designed to prepare SMEs for the practical challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, while giving them an opportunity for meaningful engagement with decision-makers.

The event will provide the opportunity to:

• Hear directly from key figures shaping regional LAEPs about upcoming policy shifts and what they mean for your business.
• Join an open forum to identify, voice and discuss operational decarbonisation challenges.
• Gain insights from sustainability experts from Sheffield’s universities, who are actively contributing to South Yorkshire’s energy strategy.
• Explore potential opportunities, funding streams and collaboration initiatives.
• Establish lasting connections and channels to help SMEs remain informed, engaged and represented beyond the event

Contributors include (with more to be announced):

• Zoe Jennings, Director of Energy and Environment, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
• Mark Whitworth, Sustainability and Climate Change Service Manager, Sheffield City Council
• Sol Brown, Professor of Process and Energy Systems, University of Sheffield
• Paul Bingham, Professor of Glasses and Ceramics, Sheffield Hallam University
• Will Eadson, Professor of Urban and Regional Studies, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University

*Full agenda and timings to be published soon