Reaching net zero: the defining challenge of our time
by Emily Nichols | 23rd Jan 2026 | Hethel Innovation , Scottow Enterprise Park
Reaching net zero is the defining challenge of our time. At Hethel Innovation, together with CleanTech East, we envision a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive ecosystem where innovation, industry, policy, and community come together – sometimes over a caffeine-fuelled brainstorm – to shape real, lasting change.
Net zero isn’t just a checkbox exercise on a climate action plan; it’s a full transformation of how we produce, consume, and live. It’s about becoming custodians of this earth, not just consumers of its resources.
This means rethinking our energy systems, flipping industries on their heads, redesigning everything from our factories to our homes, and yep, changing habits too. And here’s the kicker: no single tech, policy, or organisation can pull this off solo. We need an entire ecosystem, that is diverse, collaborative and ambitious.
At Hethel Innovation, we’re proud to be the dynamic hub where this comes alive. With CleanTech East, we support clean growth – connecting innovators and game-changers to practical support, skills development, and clear routes to market.
From renewable energy and battery storage to circular economy breakthroughs and sustainable manufacturing, our region is a testbed for scalable solutions. As well as creating new and innovative solutions for East Anglia’s industries; we’re developing models that others can borrow and build upon across the globe.
Achieving net zero is not just about machines and megawatts; it’s about building a culture where sustainability drives economic value, where innovation boosts social progress, and where environmental responsibility becomes second nature.
The journey won’t be easy. However, with industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and citizens all working together, it is absolutely achievable. So, let’s think big, listen widely, collaborate and connect ideas and solutions, and act boldly.
The transition to net zero is no longer a distant target. It’s happening now and we invite you to be a part of it. At Hethel Innovation and CleanTech East, we are not just trying to reach next zero. We’re building a thriving ecosystem for a sustainable and resilient future that reaches far beyond.
About the Author
Emily Nichols
Marketing Lead
As Marketing Lead at Hethel Innovation, I bring together a passion for storytelling, community building, and driving impact within the region’s vibrant innovation ecosystem. But I try to do this through the lens of good trouble, finding a way to balance creativity with strategy, often throwing the unexpected into the mix. I'm a firm believer in human first, so when I look at the vibrant innovation landscape around me at Hethel Innovation, it sparks curiosity and questioning. It's one thing to look at data points; it's another to uncover the passion and journey behind it.
