IChemE convenes expert roundtable on UK government’s clean energy mission

The end of the year is a natural time to take stock, and December also marks the 6-month anniversary of the new Labour government. On 11 December, IChemE convened a roundtable discussing the government’s clean energy mission, which has been prioritised as one of the administration’s central projects and is a key area of interest for IChemE. It’s a key topic for the Institution and for the country: clean energy is central to our net zero aspirations, ‘home-grown’ renewable energy is crucial for energy security, and UK business and economic growth is held back by high energy costs. 

The roundtable, chaired by IChemE President Mark Apsey MBE, and kindly hosted by Chris McDonald MP, brought together experts from industry, academia and the third sector. Chris is MP for Stockton North, parliamentary private secretary for Ed Miliband (Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero), chemical engineer and Fellow of IChemE. 

There were a number of clear themes in the discussion, including the critical role of chemical and process engineers in delivering the clean energy transformation, the serious workforce challenges of being able to deliver that ambition, and the difficulties imposed by the high costs of energy in the UK. Participants agreed on the fundamental role of a clear and consistent policy regime in getting businesses to invest in clean energy, and in the need for the right economic incentives to be in place before businesses will deliver clean energy on the scale we need to see.  

IChemE will be uploading an anonymised write-up of the discussion shortly.  Find out more about the IChemE policy team and keep up with its wider work.  

What is chemical engineering?

Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, mathematics and economics in the process of turning raw materials into everyday, and more specialist, products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Energy, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the industry sectors and products where chemical engineering plays a central role.

IChemE

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) advances chemical engineering's contribution for the benefit of society. We facilitate the development of chemical engineering professionals and provide connections to a powerful network of around 30,000 members in more than 100 countries. 

We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.