Net Zero in Peril? The case for a new low carbon social contract in the UK

Event Date: 18 March 2026

Speaker: Donal Brown, Research Fellow at the Science Policy Research Unit SPRU, University of Sussex.

Time: 12.30 to 1.30pm

 Location: Level 8, StrathUnion, University of Strathclyde (and online)

Donal holds a prestigious UKRI Future Leadership and serves as Sustainability Director at the low‑carbon consultancy Sustainable Design Collective. A specialist in sustainable housing, energy systems and energy demand, he has delivered policy consultancy on retrofit and renewable energy for the Welsh Government and the UK Labour Party. Donal was also a Director of UK Programmes at Ashden, a major environmental charity.

Abstract:

Net Zero represents an opportunity to regenerate our communities; reduce energy, housing, and transport costs; and build social cohesion and greater prosperity. However, most people in the UK have felt their living standards worsen for over a decade. Far right parties are capitalising on this discontent, and are blaming decarbonisation and broader progressive agendas for this malaise. The mainstream low carbon policy regime is failing to address the material concerns of low- and middle-income communities, through an over reliance on private ownership, market mechanisms, and individual choice as the driver of change. I will argue that, without a course correction, net-zero, and the decarbonisation agenda is in existential peril in western nations like the UK. This new strategy must overcome shibboleths surrounding public and community ownership, and introduce progressive universalist principles in the provision of energy, housing and transport - a new ‘low carbon social contract’. Implementing this strategy will require a radical departure from the macro-economic and fiscal consensus which has prevailed in the UK since the late 1970s.

Details:

To attend please sign up on Eventbrite here. The room will be open from 12-2pm to allow for attendees who would like to bring their own lunch/tea and coffee and for informal networking before and after the seminar.

For online attendees, when you sign up with Eventbrite a link will be sent with details on how to join the event remotely shortly before the event.

This event is the latest in the SISC seminar series, which brings together researchers, practitioners and community leaders to explore bold ideas for building more inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities. To make sure you don’t miss out on any of SISC’s events, follow on Eventbrite here.

Published: 25 February 2026