This roundtable examined the government’s Invest 2035 green paper and the role that industrial strategy can play in delivering sustainable, long-term economic growth. As the UK seeks to strengthen its international competitiveness while meeting net zero commitments, the discussion explored how ESG considerations can be integrated into a modern industrial framework. Participants also considered the importance of policy stability, regional development and innovation in supporting the transition to a more resilient economy.
Key contributors:
Participants argued that while clean energy has been identified as a priority sector, a broader framework is needed to embed long-term considerations such as net zero, economic security, supply chain resilience and regional prosperity across industrial policy. Discussion focused on the importance of creating stable conditions for investment, particularly in high-potential sectors including offshore wind and advanced clean technologies. The conversation also highlighted the need to strengthen links between research, innovation and commercialisation, ensuring that UK-developed technologies can scale domestically rather than overseas. Alongside this, participants stressed that a successful transition will require realistic planning around workforce changes, regional strengths and supply chain vulnerabilities, recognising that industrial transformation inevitably involves difficult trade-offs.
