Registration is open! Book your place now.
Networking
08:30  to  09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30  to  09:40
Speaker:
Dr Stuart Hillmansen. Reader in Railway Traction Systems. University of Birmingham.
Part 1 – Latest update on the policies and plans for decarbonising both passenger and freight services
09:40  to  11:20
DfT update: The Transport Decarbonisation Plan and priorities for the industry
09:40  to  10:10
  • An overview of The Transport Decarbonisation Plan
  • How will the plan be implemented?
  • Rail’s role in facilitating the wider decarbonisation plan and its relationship to other modes of transport 
Speakers:
Jennifer Elevique. Deputy Director Rail Environment & Digital. Department for Transport.
Patrick Malone. Head of Rail Environment Policy. Department for Transport.
Panel discussion: How can decarbonisation of the rail network be incentivised and what should the network look like in the future?
10:10  to  11:00
  • How do we financially support and incentivise the decarbonisation of the rail network?
  • What opportunities does decarbonisation create for the supply chain?
  • Making the network greener - what needs to be done and when to meet Government targets?
  • What does the Williams-Shapps Plan mean for decarbonisation: how will the plan affect planned projects and what scope does it create for new initiatives?

Speakers:
Mark Gaynor. Head of Railway Strategy. Rail Delivery Group.
Dan Piner. Rail Innovation Lead. Innovate UK.
Kate Jennings. Policy Director. Railway Industry Association.
Jonathan Edwards. Transport Market Leader for EMEA. GHD.
David Abbott. Deputy Director, Traction Power Decarbonisation. Network Rail.
The opportunities for decarbonising freight
11:00  to  11:20
  • How can we further decarbonise the operation of freight? 
  • Future trends in freight: electric, bi-mode or tri-mode traction
  • Promoting rail freight as an alternative to road freight: How can rail freight maintain the advantage?
     
Speaker:
Phil Smart. Assistant Policy Manager. Rail Freight Group.
Networking and morning break
11:20  to  11:50
Part 2 – Traction decarbonisation strategies – from procurement to the increased use of alternative modes of traction (electrification, hydrogen and battery)
11:50  to  15:15
How to deliver decarbonisation through transparency, incentivisation, and integration
11:50  to  12:10
  • Raising awareness of the true decarbonisation challenge and the impact on consumers
  • Delivering decarbonisation by tackling the root causes and not just the quick wins
  • The role for public and private enterprise in achieving decarbonisation and wider sustainability goals
  • Ensuring collaboration and a joined up approach – how the different areas of the UK can coordinate their responses
Speaker:
Jonathan Edwards. Transport Market Leader for EMEA. GHD.
Network Rail update: Implementing the Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy
12:10  to  12:30
  • Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy – latest timelines and progress
  • How will the strategy be funded and actioned? 
Speaker:
Dr Helen McAllister. Strategy & Planning Director (Network). Network Rail.
Building decarbonisation targets into the procurement process
12:30  to  12:50
  • What support is needed to embed sustainability into procurement?
  • Recycling rolling stock: repurposing existing trains vs buying new 
  • Tackling the cost of hybrid trains: opportunities for the supply chain
Speaker:
Matthew Prosser. Asset Management Director. Angel Trains.
The challenges of electrification and how they can be overcome
12:50  to  13:10
  • Main obstacles to widespread electrification of the rail network
  • Alternatives to conventional electrificiation 
  • Overcoming economic barriers 
Speaker:
Noel Dolphin. Managing Director. Furrer+Frey.
Networking lunch
13:10  to  14:10
Hydrogen as a mode of traction – is this a realistic technology to adopt across the industry?
14:10  to  14:30
  • Where is hydrogen in operation and key learnings 
  • What infrastructure is required, and where, to make hydrogen a reality in the UK?
  • When will hydrogen technology be ready for passenger and freight operations?


 

Speaker:
Mike Muldoon. Head of Business Development UK&I. Alstom.
Panel discussion: Evaluating the different modes of traction to achieve decarbonisation – what balance is needed between battery, hydrogen, electrification and other technologies, and where?
14:30  to  15:15
  • What balance of battery, hydrogen and electrification is needed to achieve the 2040 target?
  • Evaluating the respective strengths and weaknesses of battery, hydrogen and electrification
  • The economics of each mode of traction: managing the cost 
  • The requirements of different routes: what type of traction is needed where? 
  • The practicalities of all options and timescales for rail application 
Speakers:
Luke Johnson. Managing Director. H2 Green.
Karl Watts. CEO. Rail Operations (UK) Limited.
Matt Candy. CEO. Steamology.
Part 3 – Non-traction decarbonisation strategies: from the construction of new infrastructure to collaboration between TOCs and local authorities on sustainability initiatives
15:15  to  16:50
Networking and afternoon break
15:15  to  15:45
Low carbon construction: Adopting sustainable building practices when delivering new rail infrastructure
15:45  to  16:05
  • How can we reduce the amount of carbon used in building rail infrastructure?
  • Materials – low carbon cement alternatives 
  • Methods & practices onsite (electric diggers and HGVs)
Speaker:
Peter Miller. Environment & Town Planning Director. HS2.
Panel discussion: How can we successfully collaborate in and beyond the industry to support the wider decarbonisation agenda and put rail at the heart of a sustainable transport system?
16:05  to  16:50
  • Collaboration between TOCs, local authorities and communities to drive and finance decarbonisation projects (e.g. modal integration, station enhancements)
  • Working with city and town planners to encourage modal shift and the provision of multimodal transport options
  • Carrying out local engagement and communications positioning rail as the backbone of local sustainable transport networks and overcoming barriers
  • Examples of work with local communities and local authorities which have furthered the sustainability agenda: community rail partnerships, station adopters, etc.
Speakers:
Jools Townsend. Chief Executive. Community Rail Network.
Luke Richardson. Station Development Manager. LNER.
Jonathan Denby. Head of Corporate Affairs. Greater Anglia.
Chair’s closing remarks
16:50  to  16:55
Close of conference and networking
16:55  to  17:30

All times are in BST.

INTERESTED IN SPEAKING IN 2022?

To find out more about speaking at Achieving Rail Decarbonisation 2022 please click on the link below.