About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation. We apply our deep expertise in applied methods to design, test and scale solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time, working across the innovation lifecycle.

More about us

The clean heat examination: how can electrification bring growth and lower bills across Britain?

In A sustainable future

17 Sep 2026

The Line, 58 Victoria Embankment EC4Y 0DS and online

This event took place on Thursday 17 September. You can watch the recording below.

Event recording

A change in government brings a shift in priorities. With rumours of budget pressure across departments, the electrification of home heating and the Warm Homes Plan should expect some scrutiny. But if scaled correctly, electrification is an industrial strategy, a cost-of-living intervention and a growth policy with the power to create skilled jobs and drive investment across Britain.

On Thursday 17 September from 17:45-19:00 (BST), we interrogated the evidence for electrifying home heating and whether it can help the Burnham government deliver on its devolution and affordability priorities.

Expert speakers, including Katy King, director for Nesta's sustainable future mission, Camilla Born, chief executive officer at Electrify Britain, Ryan Jude, programme director at Green Finance Institute and Emma Pinchbeck, chief executive officer at the Climate Change Committee, set out a distinct strand of the argument, from affordability to security, jobs and growth. Taken together, they built the argument for why clean heat delivery should remain a first-order priority for this government.

A discussion followed, chaired by Olivia Rudgard, climate reporter at Bloomberg News, that tested that case against the practical and political barriers to delivery - what's most at risk of slipping, and what it will take to keep home heating electrification a government priority.

This session is for policymakers, industry leaders, think tanks and civil society organisations working on home decarbonisation.

The opinions expressed in this event recording are those of the speaker. For more information, view our full statement on external contributors.

Emma Pinchbeck

She/Her

Emma is the Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee, the UK’s national climate advisor. The statutory body advises government and parliament on the country’s Carbon Budgets, Climate Change Risk Assessments and progress in delivery. The CCC also advises the devolved governments on their own climate change ambitions and carbon budgets. Prior to this, Emma was Chief Executive of Energy UK, Deputy Chief Executive of Renewable UK, and Head of Climate and Energy at WWF-UK. Emma is an expert on energy and is a Fellow of the Energy Institute. She has held several advisory or board positions, and currently sits on the advisory board of the UK Energy Research Council (UKERC) and the board of UK:100. Emma lives in Gloucestershire, and shares childcare with her husband.

Ryan Jude

He/Him

Ryan is a Programme Director at the Green Finance Institute, where he leads the Built Environment Programme and oversees the Financial & Investment Analysis team. He previously led the team advising the UK Government on implementing the UK Green Taxonomy, through the Green Technical Advisory Group (GTAG) and the Land, Nature and Adapted Systems (LNAS) advisory group. Before joining the Institute, Ryan worked in investment banking at Cantor Fitzgerald and Jefferies, specialising in infrastructure and renewable energy. Alongside his role at GFI, Ryan is an Associate Fellow at IPPR North, working on devolution policy, regional economic growth and climate action. Ryan was previously a Local Councillor in Westminster City Council, serving as the Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology, Culture and Air Quality until early 2026, and was also the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Tatton in the 2024 General Election.

Camilla Born

She/Her

Camilla is CEO of Electrify Britain, leading efforts to accelerate the UK’s transition to clean energy. With extensive experience in climate strategy, she has played key roles in UK climate policy and global climate action. As CEO of Electrify Britain, Camilla drives efforts to accelerate the adoption of electrification that boosts economic growth and improves everyday life.

Katy King

She/Her

Katy is a director on Nesta's mission to create a sustainable future, which focuses on decarbonisation and economic recovery. Her 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. Katy has a background in energy efficiency and behavioural science. Katy joined Nesta from the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), where she worked across a number of policy areas, including household energy efficiency, consumer issues and COVID-19. Before working at BIT, Katy worked as a strategist for a leading advertising agency. Katy holds a first-class degree in social and political sciences from the University of Cambridge.

Olivia Rudgard

She/Her

Olivia Rudgard is a reporter at Bloomberg News, where she has covered climate change for four years. Based in London, she focuses on Britain and Europe's response to climate change, including decarbonisation technologies, climate hazards like heat and flooding, and the role of finance and business. Before joining Bloomberg she worked at the Telegraph, where she also worked on the climate and environment beat, and before that on topics including Silicon Valley technology companies, the Church of England and social affairs, and personal finance including mortgages and tax.

The clean heat examination: how can electrification bring growth and lower bills across Britain?

About Nesta

The clean heat examination: how can electrification bring growth and lower bills across Britain?

This event took place on Thursday 17 September. You can watch the recording below.