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As engineers, we are
well placed to not just
lead the technical part of
decarbonisation, but to do
so in a way that will ensure
a fair and sustainable
transition; one that is safe,
affordable and accessible to
all consumers

of underpinning technical standards for
industry and on specifications to enable
a widened gas quality range within the
grid – in support of the gas markets and
hydrogen.
And we’ve been in helping to assure
the evidence base to support the
regulatory safety case for hydrogen.
This will permit housing and
commercial trials, then mid-term,
whole village and whole town scale
conversions. On safety, too, we are
doing more – look out for IGEM’s first
Safety Conference in June.

HOW IS IGEM HELPING TO PRODUCE THE
RESKILLED, UPSKILLED TECHNICAL FORCE NEEDED
FOR THE TRANSITION TO DECARBONISATION? WHY
IS THIS IMPORTANT?
It is an imperative to build the
capability for delivering net zero.
That means a supply of competent
engineers and managers well versed in
the new technologies.
IGEM is supporting the pipeline
creation for new upskilled jobs to
enable the low carbon transition.
We are actively doing so through
our provision of approved hydrogen
technical training, early-stage
leadership on industry training
specifications, as well as routinely
conducting our audit-based approval of
IGEM Marketing Assistant Sustainability fits perfectly too with Authorised Training Providers.
While our professional peer-review
Jodie Shepherd speaks to our our focus on safety, quality, and on based registration processes are
CEO Neil Atkinson about the being a trusted independent source of robust, we must continue to evolve
future of the institution and gas-related knowledge and competence. these to meet new requirements,
incorporating fully the range of future
its mission to engineer WHAT ARE THE KEY REQUIREMENTS/NECESSITIES knowledge and competences required
a sustainable gas future IN ENGINEERING A SUSTAINABLE GAS FUTURE AND for this activity. This includes our work
HOW IS IGEM TACKLING THIS CHALLENGE? in the downstream sector as part of
JODIE: WHAT DOES ‘ENGINEERING A SUSTAINABLE There are many facets to the challenge, the post-Grenfell response. Crucially,
GAS FUTURE’ MEAN TO IGEM? and I am pleased that IGEM is taking we need do more in the downstream
NEIL: I see this as an enduring, all- the lead across many of these. IGEM is space. Decarbonisation of heat is
encompassing call to action for our routinely partnering with policy makers tough, and we have a massive role to
institution. IGEM’s public benefit in government, to support programmes play in that area.
purpose aligns perfectly with today’s net that will deliver on decarbonisation
zero context. As engineers, we are well targets and lead on the provision of YOU HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF
placed to not just lead the technical part digital solutions for both knowledge NETWORKING AND COLLABORATION. WHY IS THIS
of decarbonisation, but to do so in a way sharing and the creation of enabling SO IMPORTANT?
that will ensure a fair and sustainable tools for all, such as our Hydrogen As outlined to us recently by Lord
transition; one that is safe, affordable Knowledge Centre. Browne of Madingley at this year’s Sir
and accessible to all consumers. We are taking the lead on the delivery Denis Rooke Memorial Lecture, the

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