Thread by @ResilienceFirst

Good morning! We're about to begin our session at #Innovate4Cities conference on the role #tech can play in #decarbonisation. Our speakers are Andy Walker @Johnson_Matthey, Caroline Field @resilienceshift, and Nayaz Mohammed @PwC #ClimateChange

@Johnson_Matthey @resilienceshift @PwC Our Chair, @ResilienceFirst’s own Robert Hall, recaps the recommendations from Resilience First’s recent white paper on decarbonisation and the role of technology, in partnership with @intel. #Innovate4Cities #decarbonisation #tech #ClimateChange

Investment in innovation to drive tech to speed up carbon-emission reductions; more investment for job upskilling & employment transition; more cross-silo working to deploy faster, more resilient, more universal technological solutions. #Innovate4Cities #decarbonisation #tech

Underpinning these recommendations: belief that industry and business across all sectors have a key role to play in finding technological solutions and in adapting their processes to meet carbon-reduction targets. #Innovate4Cities #decarbonisation #tech #ClimateChange

In the UK, 80% of the so-called critical national infrastructure is in the hands of the private sector. Good public-private partnerships and excellent cross-silo working are required to tackle climate change. #Innovate4Cities #decarbonisation #tech #ClimateChange

Robert notes Amara’s Law: ‘we overestimate the impact of technology in the short term and underestimate the effect in the long run’. #Innovate4Cities #decarbonisation #tech #ClimateChange

And now to hear from our speakers. First up, Andy on setting the green scene.

Lack of clarity about which way the world is going. Hope that COP26 will provide focus around clean energy transition.

We need to deploy today what we have and 'learn by doing' to drive innovation.

Andy Walker from @Johnson_Matthey states: "There is optimism as several countries have pledge to achieve net-zero targets by 2050."

All sectors must contribute and move together. Transport and power work critically together, for example.

Andy Walker from @Johnson_Matthey also notes: "increasing energy efficiencies is essential to decrease emissions as well as cross-sector collaboration".

Alongside renewable energy, clean hydrogen will play a critical role in getting us where we need to be.

Need to invest in people and innovation. Need to break down silos. Need to move quickly.

Andy Walker, @Johnson_Matthey finishes by stating "we need to invest in people and innovation, break down silos, and we need to move quickly"

Now Caroline on technology and the urban energy transition.

We're in a period of rapidly advancing technology - can being prosperity to cities.

Caroline field from @resilienceshift on Urban Energy Transition: "Cities are complex webs of institutions, infrastructure and information. Their resilience depends on strengthening the capacities of individual systems in order to strengthen the city overall." #tech #ClimateChange

Caroline field from @resilienceshift states "technology can enhance decarbonisation and resilience but we need to be aware not to create vulnerabilities" #decarbonisation #tech