How well placed are manufacturers to take advantage of the major commercial opportunities offered by a low carbon economy driven by the UK’s need to source 15 per cent of its energy from renewable sources and cut CO2 emissions by 16 per cent?

Such targets will create significant challenges for industry in terms of its competitiveness, but a new report suggests that British industry is well placed to exploit the opportunities that arise.

There are barriers to overcome and much work to be done by manufacturers and by government but low carbon energy; low carbon vehicles and energy efficiency all provide opportunities.

Some will require some decidedly lateral thinking.

Asset management takes on new ground rules when the significantly superior fuel efficiency of a new motor is brought into the replace or repair equation; distant sourcing in times of high fuel costs transports the consideration of routes and modes of movement from altruism to economics; and product design for sustainability becomes a strategic priority.

This meeting will examine a series of recommendations including giving greater priority to research and development; providing support for the wind energy supply chain; developing a long-term strategy for marine renewables; establishing a specific support mechanism for carbon capture and storage; making low carbon products more financially accessible and broadening the range of low carbon products.

We will hear about UK manufacturers who are at the cutting edge of applying new ways of thinking; some of them already hurdling the barriers and succeeding in making energy and environmental imperatives work to their advantage.