Tech and Net Zero Conference 2026

About This Event

The Tech and Net Zero Conference 2026 is organised by techUK and takes place on 21 October 2026 in central London, running from 09:00 to 17:00. The event is free for techUK members and public sector attendees, while non-members pay £170 plus VAT. The conference examines how technology can deliver climate solutions at scale as 2030 targets approach and the global net zero transition accelerates.The programme opens with a keynote from Kate Levick of LSE, followed by panels on climate policy under the Labour government, climate adaptation in practice, and investing in climate-tech. Sessions cover the Science Based Targets initiative version 2, grid decarbonisation with NESO, and three parallel breakout tracks on transition planning, sustainable decarbonisation for finance and procurement (led by ERM), and measuring the carbon intensity of AI (developed with the World Resources Institute and University of Oxford). Additional breakouts address climate security and nature impacts, and data centre sustainability. Speakers include representatives from the Labour Climate and Environment Forum, Flint Global, Centre for Net Zero, DNV, Cambridge Consultants, London & Partners, and Sage.The conference addresses practical challenges facing UK SMEs managing their climate commitments, from building credible transition plans to understanding new reporting standards and managing AI-related emissions. Sessions on climate-tech investment, grid flexibility, and circular economy offer insights into growth opportunities, while breakouts on nature-related risks and data centre impacts help businesses understand their wider environmental responsibilities and community relationships.

Key Takeaways

• Science Based Targets initiative version 2 shifts focus from setting targets to taking action
• Transition planning requires concrete actions, governance, resources and milestones beyond headline targets
• AI growth is driving energy demand and upending emissions forecasts without consistent measurement methods
• Nature degradation threatens UK national security, food, water, health and supply chain resilience

Who Should Attend

• Sustainability leads in tech companies managing net zero commitments and transition planning
• Finance and procurement teams operationalising decarbonisation targets across their organisations
• SME owners evaluating climate-tech opportunities and understanding policy changes under the Labour government
• Operations managers preparing for extreme weather and building climate adaptation strategies