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Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

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Catalysing the transition to low-carbon heat in homes

Nesta at Liberal Democrat Party Conference
In A sustainable future
21 Sep 2025 18:15 – 19:15
Avon Room, Bournemouth International Centre (secure zone)

The UK's biggest net-zero challenge is decarbonising home heating. A million boilers should be replaced with clean heating by 2030. The scale-up in uptake requires big policy changes, necessary for meeting climate targets, cutting bills and reducing gas imports.

We’re at this year’s Liberal Democrat Party Conference to bring together a panel of experts to discuss the key policies that could make decarbonisation work and explore previous examples on how to influence policy. Join us with Duncan Brack, Environmental Policy Analyst and Advisor, Ines Wittke, Research Manager at Public First, and members from Nesta’s sustainable future mission.

This event is taking place on Sunday 21 September in the Avon Room at Bournemouth International Centre (secure zone) from 18:15-19:15 BST.

Speakers

Andrew Sissons.final

Andrew Sissons

He/Him

Andrew is deputy director on Nesta's mission to create a sustainable future, which focuses on decarbonisation and economic recovery. His team focuses on setting up innovation projects and partnerships that reduce carbon emissions from homes, which is a key part of the UK reaching net zero. Andrew has a background in climate change, economic geography and productivity. Andrew joined Nesta from the Environment Agency, where he led the agency's work on funding and green finance, having previously been the agency's chief economist. He has worked in government (Cabinet Office, MHCLG) on cities and local growth policy, helping to create the new metro mayors in several cities in England. He has also previously worked at The Work Foundation and as an economic consultant.

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Duncan Brack

He/Him

Duncan Brack is an independent environmental policy analyst, working on issues including deforestation, agriculture and climate change; forests and bioenergy; and the interaction between environmental regulation and trade rules. Current roles include Adviser, Tropical Forest Alliance; Facilitator, EU and UK Cocoa Coalitions; Associate, Green Alliance. Within the Liberal Democrats, he is an elected member of the party’s Federal Policy Committee and he chaired the policy working group that produced the 2025 climate policy paper, For People, For Planet. He was a special adviser at the Department of Energy and Climate Change during the first two years of the Liberal Democrat - Conservative coalition government, 2010–12.

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Ines Wittke

She/Her

Ines Wittke is a Senior Policy Manager in Public First’s Energy and Environment Practice, where she works at the intersection of policy and public attitudes around the Net Zero transition. Her work combines social research expertise with a focus on how to make ambitious climate policies feel fair, realistic, and deliverable for people. She previously worked at Imperial College London, where she supported academics in engaging with climate and energy policy, helping to increase the impact of their work.

Event information

21 Sep 2025 18:15 – 19:15

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