Weekly Debrief

Government’s view on how the National Energy System Operator is envisaged to carry out strategic planning for hydrogen infrastructure.

All the winners and highly commended entries from last night's glittering awards ceremony celebrating pioneering women from across the UK's green economy Last night over 350 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and sustainability executives from across the UK's green economy gathered in Central London for the second annual Women in Green Business Awards. Staged at the Marriott Grosvenor Square, the awards celebrated the many women who are driving forward the net zero transition and working to build a more sustainable and prosperous economy for all. Kicking off the evening, the chair of judges Cecilia Keating hailed the hundreds of finalists at this year's awards as evidence of how women are both working to develop solutions to tackle the climate crisis and "challenging industries that are, in the majority of instances, still designed to cater to the needs of men". "The Women in Green Business Awards are not only a celebration of brilliant individuals working across the green economy," she said. "They are also a chance to showcase organisations that are rethinking their business practices to better embrace diversity. To celebrate companies that know retaining and promoting women is not an obligation, but a strategic priority." Below is the full list of winners and highly commended entries announced on the night. Diversity and Inclusion Strategy of the Year SPARC Alliance - Diversity and Inclusion Strategy The judges were wowed by an impactful campaign to promote diversity and inclusion across the clean energy and green building sector in rural areas, praising its work to both create opportunity and tackle skills shortages within the green economy. Highly Commended: GLH Campaign of the Year Campaign for Better Transport: Bus stop standard campaign This innovative and impactful campaign was commended for making public transport safer and more accessible for women across the UK. Judges praised its ability to "cut through" to audiences and deliver real-world results that are making sustainable transport more accessible to a diverse audience. Highly Commended: The SPARC Alliance Campaign Consultancy of the Year Full Circle CI Full Circle CI was praised for its innovative business model and initiatives to improve diversity in all forms, including race, neurodiversity, and gender. The judges were particularly impressed by how the consultancy is advancing inclusion within the fast-growing electric vehicle and charging sector. Highly Commended: Dialogue Matters Apprentice of the Year Rebecca Jones, WSP The judges hailed Rebecca as a role model for the apprenticeship route into industry. They were particularly impressed by her real love for the sector and clear ambition to develop her skills. Highly Commended: Grainne Curzon, Rider Levett Bucknall Buildings Professional of the Year Alisha Kalam, Smart Managed Solutions Alisha's entry offered clear evidence of how she is working to deliver innovative solutions that slash building emissions and costs. She was commended by the judges for consistently exceeding targets and playing a key role in the push for greener buildings across the UK. Highly Commended: Hazel Lim, Deep Green Carbon Markets Professional of the Year Shilpika Cautam, Opna Shilpika was praised by the judges for a strong entry in a highly competitive category, which demonstrated her effective approach to leadership and pioneering work to foster trust in the carbon market. Her commitment to scaling up climate action and driving adoption of due diligence measures across the sector was recognised for its role in the market's continued development. Highly Commended: Celia Francis, Ponterra Highly Commended: Charmaine Yeo, GSK plc Clean Energy Professional of the Year Nina Vidon, WSP In yet another really competitive category, Nina was commended by the judges for delivering strong commercial results, while leading a rapidly expanding team and simultaneously creating an inclusive culture across her organisation. Highly Commended: Aurelia Hibbert, Mott MacDonald Ltd Highly Commended: Sanna Atherton, National Energy System Operator Communications/Marketing Professional of the Year - Agency Lisa Merrick Lawless, Purpose Disruptors In a hugely competitive category, the judges praised Lisa for her ability to challenge entrenched ways of thinking and promote sustainability practices in the advertising industry. She was hailed by the judging panel as a true game-changer capable of catalysing collaboration to deliver tangible results. Highly Commended: Fran O'Leary, Lodestone Communications Communications/Marketing Professional of the Year - In-House Lucy Kittow, Lloyds Banking Group The judges praised Lucy for her role promoting the transition to sustainable agriculture and enhanced soil health, helping to promote work in an under-reported but hugely important area. She was also recognised for driving collaboration both within her business and beyond, as well as her ability to telling a crucial story in an engaging and effective fashion. Highly Commended: Lucy Coast, Business for Nature Nature Professional of the Year Ffion Mitchell-Langford, Marine Conservation Society In a hugely competitive category, Ffion won over the judges thanks to her impressive work in a challenging and complex field, positive impacts on the marine environment, and commitment to enhancing ocean literacy Highly Commended: Jennifer Estaris, Netflix Transport Professional of the Year Diane Gilpin, Smart Green Shipping In one of our most competitive categories yet, the judges commended Diane for her tireless work stewarding Smart Green Shipping through a breakthrough year. The judges praised Diane's commitment to innovation, remarkable persistence over many years, and delivery of a solution with huge potential to slash emissions and costs across the global shipping industry. Highly Commended: Selene Sari, Vox Aeris Clean Technology Innovator of the Year - Sponsored by AVEVA Agnes Czako, AirEx Technologies In another intensely competitive category, Agnes won over the judges for her impressive track record in developing and commercialising an innovative technology that promises to tackle emissions, improve health, and reduce fuel poverty. The judges hailed a great British clean tech success story that is now demonstrating real world results and strong revenue growth. Highly Commended: Anna-Maria Kypraiou, Eyesea Green Limited Highly Commended: Laura Robinson, SeaGrown Limited Investment Professional of the Year Rosalind Smith-Maxwell, Quinbrook In a highly competitive category, Rosalind won out thanks to her work on one of the most impactful solar projects in the UK and her role in mentoring other women working across the green investment sector. Highly Commended: Maria Nazarova-Doyle, IFM Investors Women in STEM Champion of the Year Anna-Maria Kypraiou, Eyesea Green Limited The judges praised Anna-Maria for her role as an innovator and entrepreneur at Eyesea Green, commending the huge amount of outreach work she does to champion science and engineering to young women and students, and promote the critical importance of clean tech innovation and the wonderful career opportunities it can offer. Highly Commended: Natasha Paramasamy, UK Power Networks Highly Commended: Luca Mezossy-Dona, IONATE Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year Mas Morton, The Electric Car Scheme In a close-run category that is testament to the excellent work being done to promote diversity and inclusion across the sector, Mas won over the judges with an entry that demonstrated her deep commitment to embedding diversity and inclusion both within and beyond her organisation, as well as her impressive work with Code First Girls. Highly Commended: Elsie Ocran, GGlow Highly Commended: Liz Allan, Full Circle CI Inspiring Returner of the Year Iris Garavito, Exposure Earth In a highly competitive category, Iris was recognised for a remarkable track record of achievement in a short period of time following her return to work, which culminated in the launch of a new sustainability-focused advertising agency. The judges praised an inspirational entry filled with energy and examples of high impact projects. Highly Commended: Signe Norberg, Aldersgate Group Highly Commended: Sarah Darrah, Finance Earth Rising Star of the Year - SMEs - Sponsored by Equans Constanza Torres, Business for Nature All the entries in this category were hugely impressive, but in the end the judges were won over by Constanza's work building networks and engaging governments and businesses to deliver real-world protection and restoration for nature in a host of emerging economies. Highly Commended: Ffion Mitchell-Langford, Marine Conservation Society Highly Commended: Pollyanna Wright, Envision Racing Rising Star of the Year - Large Firms - Sponsored by Equans Molly Kirven, Balfour Beatty Molly was praised by the judges for a hugely impressive track record working on high-impact, nationally significant low-carbon project, as well as her work as co-chair of the neuro-diversity affinity network. Highly Commended: Martha Smith, WSP Small Business of the Year Climate Essentials Climate Essentials was hailed by the judges as a dynamic small business that stood out in highly competitive category that showcased how women are driving forward businesses right across the green economy. The judges particularly praised the company's impressive performance and work to 'actively create spaces for women to lead and be visible'. Highly Commended: Loom Highly Commended: Virtuvest Business of the Year Greenbank (Part of the Rathbones Group) There are so many great businesses working to advance women and the green economy, but Greenbank won out in this close-run category with the judges recognising its internal commitments to diversity, as well as its work as an investor to encourage living wage practices, environmental sustainability, and ambitious diversity policies across the wider economy. Highly Commended: Greenhouse Communications Highly Commended: Ponterra Entrepreneur of the Year Diane Gilpin, Smart Green Shipping Diane who was praised by the judges for a breakthrough year that has Smart Green Shipping start to deliver at scale following years of development. In a highly competitive category, Diane was hailed for her leadership, her technical skills, and her hugely positive impact on an emissions-intensive and male-dominated sector. Highly Commended: Amanda Spicer, Your Eco Highly Commended: Anna-Maria Kypraiou, Eyesea Green Limited Mentor of the Year Ashleigh Kitchiner, Balaena Services The judges praised Ashleigh as a leader in her field who has gone above and beyond her remit to mentor a wide network of women working across the marine and polar science sector. She was hailed as an inspiring figure doing inspiring work that encourages women to believe they belong in a challenging sector on the front lines of the climate crisis. Highly Commended: Clare Brass, Moree Limited Corporate Sustainability Lead of the Year - Sponsored by Patch Kate Chapman, London Marathon Events The London Marathon is a big event, and Kate was praised by the judges for having a big impact in a high-profile role. She was commended for a creative approach to tackling significant challenges, delivering measurable gains, and raising awareness of environmental impacts to a large audience. Highly Commended: Kirsty Black, Arbikie Distilling Politician of the Year Councillor Rezina Chowdhury Our politician of the year is not on the national stage, but she has demonstrated the power of politics at the local level to tackle pollution, grow the green economy, and improve lives and livelihoods. As the Deputy Leader of Lambeth Council and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, Rezina Chowdhury, founded the Lambeth Climate Partnership, pioneered an award-winning kerbside strategy to bring more green space to the borough, transformed school streets, successfully promoted cycling to diverse communities, and has supported the emergence of the vibrant community of green start-ups that have made south London their home - many of which are in the room this evening. She is also driving efforts to deliver on the council's ambitious net zero, clean air, and transportation goals. Colleagues speak of Rezina's ability to apply her skills as a social scientist to deliver policies that are genuinely workable and successfully combine equity and inclusion with climate action. Her work is evidence of how environmental action is not just about tackling the climate crisis, crucial though that is. It is also a route for delivering real world improvements to the places where we all live, helping to create happier, healthier, and more prosperous and resilient communities. Leader of the Year Gillian Harrison, Whitefox Technologies In one of the most competitive categories of the night where all the entries were praised by the judges, Gillian edged it thanks to her inspirational leadership of a highly innovative and successful clean tech business in Whitefox Technologies. The judges also commended her championing of clean tech innovation and ongoing mentorship of many women entrepreneurs across the green economy. Highly Commended: Anna Guyer, Greenhouse Communications Highly Commended: Michal Nachmany, Climate Policy Radar Woman of the Year 2025 Preeti Srivastav, Asahi Group Holdings In another highly competitive category, Preeti impressed the judges for her integral role in driving the sustainability strategy of one of the world's largest drinks brands. They also highlighted her work advancing science-based emission targets and her role as a mentor to many women working in corporate sustainability. Highly Commended: Fiona Conor, Trust Electric Heating Lifetime Achievement Award Emma Howard Boyd The Lifetime Achievement Award winner for 2025 has been a driving force in the UK's green economy for decades and an inspiration for women working in green finance. Back when the idea of sustainable finance was an oxymoron and the concept of climate risk rarely extended beyond whether it might rain during a day at the cricket, Emma Howard Boyd was part of a small band of pioneers who demanded the investment community recognised the true scale of the challenge it was facing. During 20 years at Jupiter Fund Management and Jupiter Asset Management, she led the company's sustainable investment business and was a key figure in green finance's sector march into the mainstream. One colleague said the 'sustainable finance industry in the UK owes her a debt of gratitude for driving the development of the sector and normalising the idea of green investment'. But Emma's influence extends far beyond the world of fund management. She served as chair of the 30 Per Cent Club Investor Group, which works to get more women onto corporate boards, and completed stints as chair of ShareAction, the Green Finance Institute, ClientEarth, and many other organisations. She also served for six years as chair of the Environment Agency and is currently chair of Climate Arc and Climate Resilience for All. She is now one of the UK's most vocal advocates for the urgent need for climate resilience, having recently led the world-leading London Climate Resilience Review. Those who have worked with her describe an inspirational and energetic leader, with a 'unique sense of practical ambition - who knows what has to be done, and what can be done to get there'. The Women in Green Business Awards 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner is Emma Howard Boyd.

Costly subsea power cable failures set to soar for offshore wind farm operators – but technology pioneered for telecoms industry may hold the answer

The United Kingdom’s ambition to lead in offshore hydrogen production is taking tangible form as the Milford Haven: Hydrogen Kingdom (MH:HK) project advances toward deployment in the Celtic Sea.

This document sets out the high-level research, development, and innovation needs for the Clean Energy Superpower Mission.

This competition provides funding for developing technologies that enable the removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere in the UK.

Seen as the ‘holy grail’ of clean energy, scientists are racing to turn a century of experiments into a viable source of power

Company says the project is subject to ‘final approvals’ from the UK government

Mingyang unveils three-phase plan for fully integrated factory to supply offshore wind turbines for projects in the UK and Europe

Perovskite panels are more powerful, lighter and less rigid than traditional alternatives

Conservative Party unveils plans that suggest it would roll back the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and scrap the Carbon Price Support mechanism, the Renewables Obligation, and Great British Energy

UK renewable energy developer Nadara, which has recently launched a national campaign to push for repowering of ageing wind farms, says this is a key ‘tool in the arsenal’ of the energy transition

Vestas expects the platform to reduce uncertainty by providing better environmental and social data for planning purposes.

Uniper has formally submitted a planning application to North Lincolnshire Council (NLC) for its proposed Humber H2ub® (Green) hydrogen production facility, marking a significant step in the company’s efforts to decarbonize industrial operations in the Humber region.

The escalating demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), driven by the proliferation of electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage solutions, has simultaneously ushered in concerns over end-of-life battery waste.

Record solar expansion and steady wind growth driving world’s shift away from fossil fuels in 2025, report finds The world’s wind and solar farms have generated more electricity than coal plants for the first time this year, marking a turning point for the global power system, according to research. A report by the climate thinktank Ember found that in the first six months of 2025, renewable energy outpaced the world’s growing appetite for electricity, leading to a small decline in coal and gas use. Continue reading...

The National Energy and Environmental Data Specification (NEEDS) project aims to provide a standardised approach to digitising of energy and environmental masterplanning in GB.

September saw plugin EVs take 35.5% share of the UK auto market, up from 29.4% year-on-year. BEVs grew in volume by 29% YoY, while PHEVs grew 56%. Overall auto volume was 312,891 units, up some 14% YoY. Tesla was the UK’s leading BEV brand for the month. September’s sales totals ...

Ahead of next month's COP30 Summit, the World Economic Forum's Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders publishes open letter urging world leaders to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon and resilient economy

Troubled offshore wind giant says 'rightsizing' necessary as new projects dry up and global focus narrows

Supermarket unveils latest electric delivery vehicle as it continues to accelerate efforts to slash emissions across its fleet

The Trafigura-owned green hydrogen developer welcomes a “milestone” after a new order.

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) represent a strategic advancement in the modernization of distribution networks, yet they introduce significant analytical complexities into expansion planning models.

Vast majority of UK manufacturers to make green growth commitments in the next five years - but trade body argues rate reform needed at Autumn Budget to help make decarbonisation more affordable

'Start at Home' initiative aims to help tackle skills gap that is expected to require 38,000 heat pump engineers over the coming years

Swiss greentech startup Plan-B Net Zero introduced a hybrid system that merges battery storage, green hydrogen, and artificial intelligence to stabilize power grids and improve energy utilization efficiency, at the DA-CH Hydrogen Symposium in Wiener Neustadt.

Equinor and Gwynt Glas have both entered agreements for lease for their respective floating wind farm projects in the Celtic Sea.

Sales of fully electric or hybrid vehicles made up more than half of all new car registrations in the UK last month.

The Shenzhen-based electric car maker says the UK is now its biggest market outside China.

Investors seek to profit from rising energy demand driven by AI data centres