BEYOND INNOVATION: WHY NET ZERO NEEDS TO WORK HARDER IN 2025
Attending Innovation Zero 2025 felt markedly different from previous years. With over 450 speakers across 13 forums, the tone on net zero has shifted – from exploring what’s possible, to demonstrating what’s already in action.
Net zero is no longer a buzzword. It’s embedded in business strategy, regulatory expectations and boardroom language. But in today’s volatile landscape, companies are now under pressure to prove that net zero is not only possible, but practical, profitable and resilient. The mood was clear: idealism is out, realism is in.
For us at Veris, that’s a good thing. Because net zero isn’t a project, it’s a strategic pivot. One that must offer business value and system-wide gains. But if the mood music is shifting, the tempo still isn’t fast enough.
What stood out?
Electrification remains central – from industry to transport, powering the net zero future will require rapid investment in clean electrification. We heard how heat pumps are now cheaper than gas boilers, and how EVs, charged off-peak, are both cleaner and more cost-effective.
Innovation meets economics – whether in agri-tech, smart grids or regenerative practices, conversations moved past "potential" into real-world results. As the FAO discussion pointed out, climate-smart innovation in agriculture can cut emissions and boost yields – and with the net zero economy growing three times faster than the rest of the UK economy in 2024, it’s clear that transformation isn’t just good for the planet, it’s a driver of growth. (CBI Economics commissioned report 2025)
Supply chains went quiet – in contrast to previous years, sustainable supply chains barely featured. It’s a sign of how geopolitical instability and short-term economic shocks are taking centre stage. But that’s a missed opportunity. If anything, today’s fragility only reinforces the need for resilient, low-carbon supply models.
The power of flexibility – smarter use of energy was a quiet star. What once felt like a long time coming, the smart grid and integration of flexible assets is now becoming reality. With adoption of enabling technologies accelerating, machine learning and consumer behaviour are beginning to reshape when and how we use energy, from vehicle charging to heating. And with vehicle-to-grid operability on the rise, we’re seeing a clear path to delivering much of the flexibility needed to support fully renewable energy systems. A tangible, scalable win that’s finally within reach.
“The need to demonstrate how net zero can provide resilience, security and profitability, not just technological possibility or innovation without direction is clear. It’s no longer a display of potential, but a demonstration of examples that are already in play.”
So, what’s the call to action?
Let’s not wait for innovation to ‘trickle down’. Businesses must now lead with practical, joined-up action. That means embedding climate resilience into commercial models, investing where emissions reductions also drive efficiency, and pushing for policy frameworks that reward long-term thinking.
At Veris, we help businesses navigate these intersections – between ambition and delivery, innovation and impact. We’re encouraged by the direction of travel, but we also know the road ahead needs clearer signals, faster decision-making and more courageous leadership.
Because if Innovation Zero 2025 taught us anything, it’s that the future isn’t being invented in labs – it’s being built on the factory floor, in boardrooms and across entire value chains.