Accelar 2024 Visions: Updates From Our Experts
At the start of 2024, our team at Accelar identified key priorities for accelerating the green transition. Now, as we enter the final quarter of the year, it's time to revisit our 'Accelar 2024 Visions' campaign and assess our progress.
Back in January, we spotlighted five crucial areas for achieving net zero emissions, building resilient communities, and restoring our natural world. These visions, set by our experts, represented ambitious yet achievable goals through coordinated efforts across sectors.
As we approach the end of 2024, let's dive into our experts' original visions and see how far we've come. This update provides insights into the progress made, challenges faced, and the road ahead as we continue our mission to accelerate the green transition.
Let's dive into our experts' visions and their latest updates:
Cara's Vision: Effective Communication for Biodiversity Net Gain
Original Vision: Cara hoped for better stakeholder communication as England introduces mandatory biodiversity net gain, including discussions on environmental net gain and local nature recovery strategies.
Update: Since February 2024, when Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) became mandatory, Cara has seen real change take shape. She points to sites like Spains Hall Estate and South Downs National Park who are breaking new ground and opening up their playbooks for others to learn from.
"We've seen BNG make a real mark this year since it became mandatory in February," Cara says. "Places like Spains Hall Estate and South Downs National Park are showing what's possible and sharing what they learn along the way." She notes how this has sparked new markets to life, such as the UK's voluntary biodiversity credit market created by Earthly and SDNPA.
Knowledge sharing has picked up steam, with The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) running workshops to help people put the new rules into practice. Cara mentions GFI Hive's recent BNG Roadmap report, which spots key issues like staff shortages in Local Planning Authorities, unclear pricing for developers and suppliers, questions about insurance, and gaps in official guidance.
Through BNG Finder, the Accelar team keeps these talks moving, passing on what they've learned. While the delayed laws have slowed market growth, she stays upbeat: "I think in the next 6-12 months, we'll see things run more smoothly, with deals becoming easier to close."
When she looks to the future, Cara sees more deals happening more often. She wants to see better BNG projects that fit with local nature recovery plans and help the environment in broader ways.
"The slower start with the laws and all our meetings so far have given us time to talk with everyone involved in BNG - from small builders to big developers, landowners to local councils," Cara reflects. "These past months have taught us that BNG needs different answers for different situations. I'm excited to see better teamwork and results ahead."
Rupert's Vision: Boosting Private Sector Investment
Original Vision: Rupert emphasised the need for increased private sector investment in place-based measures like retrofit construction, impact reporting, and nature-based solutions.
Update: Rupert sees big opportunities for businesses to step up in making the green shift happen. He's noticed more companies waking up to their role in this change.
"Private businesses could be big players in driving green projects forward," Rupert says. "We're just starting to tap into what's possible, given how much money needs to go into hitting the UK's net zero and nature targets."
He notes that new rules, like this year's Biodiversity Net Gain, are pushing the market in the right direction. Plus, more businesses are thinking about how climate change might affect them - a change he welcomes.
Looking ahead, Rupert wants to see a shift in approach. "To really speed things up, we need more rewards and fewer penalties to make the big changes needed by 2030," he explains.
His vision for the future? "I want to see sustainable investment move away from just being about doing good or corporate responsibility. It needs to become something investors see as smart business - a chance to make good returns while leading the way forward."
Chris’s Vision: Support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Original Vision: Chris aimed for all UK SMEs to access structured net zero business support, including circular economy advice.
Update: So far, Chris sees solid growth in how businesses get help with their green shift. He points to the UK Business Climate Hub as a bright spot, calling it a one-stop shop that keeps getting better for SMEs looking for their first steps.
"The UK Business Climate Hub has gone from strength to strength as the main, consolidated one-stop shop," Chris notes. To build on this momentum, Chris and his team at Accelar have teamed up with Winning Moves (now part of GC Insight) to create the Net Zero Business Tracker - a tool with new ways to measure and compare business progress.
The path hasn't been smooth everywhere, though. While some areas kept their green programmes running strong, others hit speed bumps. "Some local net zero programs have continued through the year, particularly where combined authorities were already working with partners," Chris explains. "But local economic strategy and business support functions have undergone something of a ‘rethink’ in many places across England." This shift from Local Enterprise Partnerships to local councils has temporarily slowed some climate and nature work. Still, he sees promise in the Government's work on an Industrial Strategy to 2035, which looks at both local and sector needs.
Looking to 2025, Chris sees the need to tackle key barriers identified in the Green Business Transition Policy Briefing created by Accelar and Avery & Brown. "The policy briefing research shows that 35% of SMEs cite cost as their biggest barrier to going green, with 32% worried about feasibility," Chris notes. "That's why we need a mix of support - from financial help to hands-on guidance. With SMEs making up 99% of UK businesses and creating about a third of our carbon footprint, getting this right is crucial."
Chris’ vision aligns with the policy briefing’s findings that successful green transition needs three key elements: clear policy direction, better access to private and institutional funding, and coherent support systems that businesses can easily navigate. The Net Zero Business Tracker, launching fully in early 2025, aims to address these needs by helping businesses benchmark their progress and identify practical next steps.
"SMEs are each on a unique journey with a specific purpose, growth trajectory and capacity," Chris reflects. "To be effective, supporting SMEs' net zero journey needs to come in different shapes and sizes - both in content and how it's delivered. We know from the policy research that businesses with stronger digital skills and innovation focus are more likely to succeed in their net zero journey. While more support options are emerging through supply chains, investors, banks, and other channels, we need to make this easier for busy business leaders to navigate."
Michael's Vision: United Effort in Nature Restoration
Original Vision: Michael called for various players in nature restoration to work together, highlighting the benefits of this transition through green finance.
Update: At the end of 2024, Michael sees good signs in nature restoration work. He's noticed more local groups working together, bringing different people to the table to talk about putting nature first.
"We're seeing real growth in ideas, technology, and new partnerships for nature restoration," Michael says. "Projects like Landscape Recovery are bringing farmers and landowners together with businesses, charities and government teams to make nature restoration a top goal."
Michael points out that more people now see how much we depend on nature and what we risk by ignoring it. He talks about Accelar's work in this space, dealing with money and funding issues while looking at how nature helps us adapt and stay strong. Their work on investment planning and financial models helps find money to get people moving.
Some bumps in the road come from changing government plans and mixed messages about nature restoration and food security. But Michael spots a bright side: "We need to spot problems, but in a way that shows us how to fix them. We keep running into the same challenges, which tells me we're asking the right questions."
Looking towards 2025, Michael wants to see more success stories from nature restoration projects that bring everyone together. He thinks sharing both wins and losses will get more people started and help everyone learn.
"Nature restoration isn't just for some people - it's for everyone who breathes air and lives on Earth," Michael reflects. "Nature means something different to each person, and we need to find those personal connections and make them stronger. Sure, 'Rome wasn't built in a day,' and this takes time. But that won't stop us from getting some early projects moving!"
Charlene's Vision: Accelerating Energy Transmission
Original Vision: Charlene wanted to see the industry support renewables and upgrade the UK's electricity transmission system.
Update: Charlene reports significant progress in accelerating energy transmission this year, particularly through Accelar's collaboration with SSEN Transmission on their ambitious 2030 pathway program. This partnership has yielded tangible results, including work on underground cables and a new strategic hub to support renewable energy.
"We've been actively involved in scheme development across Scotland," Charlene explains. "Our focus has been on ensuring SSEN Transmission incorporates biodiversity net gain in their projects, including a joint venture with National Grid."
While progress has been steady, Charlene acknowledges the challenges: "The size and scale required for this transition is incredible. We're balancing the need for rapid progress with taking time to work with communities to manage local impacts."
Looking ahead to 2025, Charlene is optimistic about new government initiatives. The introduction of Great British Energy, set to be headquartered in Scotland, promises investments in clean energy across the UK, with a focus on floating offshore wind, nuclear power, and hydrogen. Additionally, the establishment of 'mission control' to deliver clean energy by 2030 provides further momentum.
"There's real stimulus to push the agenda forward," Charlene notes. "However, the challenge remains at the program and project level to secure consent and get construction up and running – no small feat."
Reflecting on the vision as a whole, Charlene shares, "It really feels like there's genuine support to make the transition happen from policy, government, and business levels. When you look at the size and scale of the challenge, it's incredible. It's going to require all our industry knowledge, resources, and innovation to make it happen."
Our experts' updates reveal a clear message: progress is happening, but challenges remain. The path to sustainability isn't straightforward, but it's one we must walk together.
From SME support to energy transmission, nature restoration to cross-sector collaboration, each vision builds on the others. They form a roadmap for a greener, more resilient future for the UK.
As we move forward, let's carry these insights with us. Let's continue to innovate, collaborate, and push for change. The future we envision is within reach, but it demands action from all of us.
Ready to accelerate the green transition? Get in touch with Accelar today to learn how we can help.