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Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!
Rural Net Zero: Community Action, Energy Innovation, and Local Futures
Wednesday 17 September 2025 | 10:00 – 12:00
Part of the National Rural Conference 2025
Bookings now open for RSN members: View the full programme
Reaching Net Zero is one of the defining challenges of our time and rural areas are central to the transition. From renewable energy generation and local supply networks, to community-led climate action and strategic planning, rural places have both unique opportunities and complex barriers to overcome.
This session will bring together voices from councils, research, community organisations, and the energy sector to share how rural areas are taking practical steps towards sustainability, and what support is needed to scale up success.
Confirmed speakers:
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Andrew Oswald, Energy and Sustainability Manager, West Suffolk Council Andy has over 20 years’ experience in delivering energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across both public and private sectors. He will present West Suffolk’s net zero journey, including the management of large-scale solar generation and the council’s work on renewable energy schemes. |
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Dr Natalie Partridge, Research Associate in Rural Innovation, NICRE, and Su Morgan, Founder/Director, Tadcrafters CIC Natalie works with rural communities and businesses on innovation projects, from low-carbon food logistics to community spaces. Su leads Tadcrafters CIC, an award-winning community organisation in Tadcaster that promotes cohesion, sustainability and creative engagement. Together, they will discuss “Sustainable Tadcaster” and how grassroots climate action is building resilience in their community. |
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Reece Emmitt, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, National Energy System Operator (NESO) Reece leads the Societal Engagement Team within NESO’s Strategic Energy Planning directorate. He will explain how rural voices are being integrated into the first Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP), ensuring that local perspectives help shape the future of the UK’s energy system. |
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Sobia Khurram, Community Energy Advisor, Northern Powergrid Sobia supports community energy groups across the North, providing training, guidance and technical advice on low-carbon technologies and carbon reduction planning. She will showcase how local groups are powering rural futures, reducing costs and creating lasting benefits while contributing to Net Zero targets |
This session is one of eight themed events running from 15–18 September as part of our member-exclusive conference. It’s free to attend for all eligible RSN member organisations. Sessions take place online via Zoom and are not recorded — to benefit from the discussion and interactive format, please join us live.
