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people to change their behaviour or
make investments just because it is
the economically sound thing to do.
Most people do not behave in a wholly
rational way”, he said.
Instead, Lord Browne believes it is
essential for leaders to tell positive
stories about the path to net zero.
He outlined three in his speech: the
transformative power of engineering –
as has been demonstrated during the
pandemic – the generation of more jobs
and public health.
“Having experienced the public
health disaster of the pandemic, people
want to avoid what could be a public
health catastrophe of climate change,”
he said. “By putting the protection
of public health back at the heart of LORD BROWNE OF MADINGLEY
society, it really will be possible to
‘build back better’.” which he said the UK was already Browne explained that he didn’t know if
Once again using the pandemic as proving possible by tackling CO₂ and hydrocarbons will be used in the energy
an example, Lord Browne said that methane emissions and combatting system in 2070.
society has learnt a large amount about plastic waste. He also stated that the “I think it’s unlikely to be significant.
managing crises and emphasised the UK has done well on CO₂ emissions There will be some, I’m sure, but it
importance of applying the lessons so “we don’t have a lot to go for in the will be a natural fuel around the world
learned to tackling climate change. He global context,” he said. “I’m very keen where people will have no substitute
argues there is no such thing as too much that the UK plays its role in catalysing for it. We don’t have to eliminate
data and there is a need to get on top of change elsewhere in the world – that’s everything, we can offset. You can offset
emissions measurement and reporting in really important.” any carbon you haven’t captured and
order to know what we’re dealing with. stored with nature-based solutions,” he
“We need a single source of truth, said, concluding that 50 years is a long
which means independently verified time for a forecast.
measurements and standardised Lord Browne believes it is On diversity in the industry, Lord
reporting frameworks,” he said. essential for leaders to tell Browne said that things are getting
Wrapping up his speech with positive stories about the path better and made comparisons to when
a tribute to Sir Denis Rooke, Lord to net zero. He outlined three in he penned his book, The Glass Closet:
Browne concluded that “we now Why Coming Out is Good Business
need to combine lofty ambition with his speech: the transformative and expressed his appreciation for
clear thinking; and public spirit with power of engineering – as has codes of conduct that attempt to stop
private enterprise,” saying that this been demonstrated during the any discrimination or bullying. He
year’s COP26 conference would be an pandemic – the generation of said: “I think that’s really important
opportunity to do that. because there has to be a consequence
“Public investment, taxes, regulation more jobs and public health for doing something that infringes
and behavioural change all have a role people’s human rights.” Later he added
to play. But Sir Denis Rooke was an Referring to BP’s recent that, despite the progress already
engineer at heart, as am I,” he said. announcement of its new hydrogen made, we’ve not come far enough and
“We were both Presidents of the CCS project in Teesside, one event constant vigilance and more work is
Royal Academy of Engineering, so attendee asked how Lord Browne needed in this area.
it should come as no surprise when thought the hydrogen economy His advice for people wanting to
I say that the path to net zero is an would develop when he started BP’s enter the industry: “I’d say to people
engineering challenge of the highest alternative energy division in the first, be yourself, and consider your
order. It is a challenge that Sir Denis mid-2000s. Lord Browne responded by circumstances,” he said. “Be confident
would have relished.” saying that he knew it would develop in yourself – it’s your choice.”
Following Lord Browne’s lecture, he but didn’t know the speed, noting On leadership, his tips were focused
joined IGEM Past President Antony that it was pretty clear that the cost of on what he sees as key elements:
Green, who led the event, and IGEM renewable energy was going to drop. purpose and inclusion. “Attach yourself
President Elect Ben Clarke for a Q&A “The techniques used today make to a greater purpose and don’t let
session in which no topic was off limits. what we were doing then look primitive the day-to-day get in the way of that
The session kicked off with a and stone age-like,” he said, later adding purpose,” he explained, later adding
question about what Lord Browne saw that he was pleased that projects aiming that he did not believe you could build a
as the number one challenge in meeting to reform natural gas were being revived team without inclusion.
the path to net zero. In his answer, in different forms again and again.
he reiterated comments made during When asked about the future and If you missed the Sir Denis Rooke
his speech – saying that it was about whether we will still be discussing gas Memorial Lecture, a recording of the event
deploying existing solutions at speed, as an energy source in 50 years, Lord is now available to view on IGEMtv.

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