Innovation Zero World 2026: The Working Groups

Working Groups at Innovation Zero World 2026

With the event just over a month away, we’re pleased to announce a selection of the Working Groups taking place across both days of Innovation Zero World 2026. 

Skills or Stagnation: Building the Low-Carbon Workforce

People and skills sit at the heart of a successful economy and the delivery of the low-carbon transition at the pace and scale required. Yet skills shortages are emerging across key occupations, threatening to hold back progress in critical sectors.  

Jobs and skills sit at the forefront of our 2026 programme, and we are pleased to present our Working Group, ‘Skills or Stagnation: Building the Low-Carbon Workforce.’ 

Hosted in partnership with Engineering UK, this session will bring together stakeholders from across sectors for an interactive discussion on the skills challenge. It will explore where shortages exist, which roles are hardest to fill, and make the case for coordinated, cross-sector workforce planning to address these gaps.  

Date: 28 April  

Time: 10:30 – 12:00pm   

Location: Working Group Theatre 1

You can apply to attend this working group here.

 

From Friction to Fluidity: Bridging Fractures in Climate Tech Innovation

Since launching nearly three years ago, Innovation Zero has focused on connecting start-ups and scale-ups with investors and corporate buyers, supporting their journey from concept to commercialisation. 

However, this journey is rarely straightforward. Scale-ups often encounter friction points when working with investors or integrating into corporate value chains. 

To address these challenges, we’re collaborating with Sustainable Ventures to host a Working Group, ‘From Friction to Fluidity: Bridging Factures in Climate Tech Innovation,’ bringing together founders, funders and corporate innovation teams for a discussion exploring the frictions and fractures they encounter in the journey to scale and discuss practical ways to overcome them.  

Date: 28 April  

Time: 10:00 – 11:30am   

Location: Working Group Theatre 2

If you would like to be part of the discussion, please apply for the Working Group here.

 

Accelerating the Future of Cleantech & Why Diversity Matters

From scaling generation technologies to reducing embodied carbon, the low-carbon transition presents a wide range of challenges, requiring an equally diverse set of solutions. 

Hosted by Women in New Energy (WINE), this session will highlight why diversity in all its forms is essential to driving meaningful and lasting change.  

Date: 29 April  

Time:  2 – 3:30pm   

Location: Working Group Theatre 1

You can register for this session here.

 

Climate Risk Is Governance Risk: From Insight to Courageous Action

Hosted by UK for Good and Business Declares, this session will pose a critical question: If climate risk is governance risk, how must leadership behaviour evolve? 

With opening provocations from Hugh Montgomery and Professor Paul Behrens, the session will present a clear, evidence-based view of the systemic risks we face. It will then move into facilitated table discussions exploring what these realities mean for governance, risk and decision-making.  

Date: 29 April  

Time:  2 – 3:30pm   

Location: Working Group Theatre 2

You can register for this session here.