An impressive array of CEOs and senior government and industry specialists debated widely on the barriers to delivery. A general consensus emerged that, whilst technically feasible, the UK 2010 targets are unlikely to be delivered under the current policy framework, mostly because of institutional and bureaucratic barriers and lack of confidence in the financial community.

Catherine Mitchell of Warwick Business School criticised representatives from DEFRA, DTI and the ODPM for failing to integrate government thinking. John Humphrys gave a sparkling performance as chair of the first sessions. Steven Tindale of Greenpeace criticised Government funding and vision for being timid. CEOs from the Carbon Trust and the Energy Saving Trust commented widely upon the strategic aspects of climate control and general environmental issues. Barbara Young, CEO of the Environment Agency, magnificently chaired the second day debates, but left with boldness and determination to reverse the EA’s bureaucratic frustration of hydropower development, most notably on those rivers and mills the Environment Agency controls.

A call was made, by Tony Trapp, CEO of The Engineering Business Ltd, for ocean-based technologies (Wave, Tidal, Estuary and other marine), to form a pressure group under the auspices of the RPA to develop the huge resources available with sensible funding.

Wind Energy was superbly represented, with a “Tour de Force” presentation by Nick Goodall of the British Wind Energy Association.

In a hilarious final session, chaired by Radio 4’s “Just a Minute” presenter Nicholas Parsons, David Byers the outgoing CEO was disappointed not to win outright, only managing a draw against Maurice Smith of Campbell Carr Consultants!

This conference and associated exhibitions highlighted an agenda much talked about by Government and critical to the overall environmental debate. The RPA concentrates upon informed discussion across all technologies and celebrates the conclusion of its first major event.