Exploring the Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference

Reflections from the Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference in Edinburgh

Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference in Edinburgh—an inspiring event that brought together a dynamic mix of public and private sector leaders, all united by a shared focus on delivering sustainable infrastructure across Scotland. Colloide was proud to support the event as a badge sponsor, and it was fantastic to be on the ground hearing from so many organisations driving climate resilience and innovation.

Admittedly, a delayed flight meant I missed the morning sessions from Vital Energi and Veolia (you can imagine my frustration), but I was grateful to catch up on key takeaways through conversations throughout the day.

One of the most fascinating talks I attended was from Anzen Innovation. Dhruv Shah, their Founder and CEO, offered a refreshingly candid perspective on the challenges with heat pump installations. His point that many systems are oversized and overly complex really stuck with me—especially as he highlighted that only 17% of UK homes are currently equipped with heat pumps. Anzen’s mission to simplify and democratise access to these technologies resonates strongly with Colloide’s own commitment to practical, real-world engineering solutions.

Another standout speaker was Dr. Paul Gilbert from South of Scotland Enterprise, who introduced the concept of “shared heat collector networks”. He argued this model could be more financially sustainable than traditional heat networks. Among several exciting projects he discussed were ones in Dumfries Town Centre and Crossmichael, the latter utilising river water as a heat source. Hearing about these developments, even at the pre-market stage, was genuinely inspiring.

This theme struck a particular chord given Colloide’s role in the Viking Energy Network Jarrow, which also taps into river water—specifically the River Tyne—as a sustainable energy source. It’s encouraging to see more projects across the UK recognising the potential of river-based heating systems to deliver real carbon and cost savings at scale.

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, brought a passionate and compelling message from the Scottish Government. She called for UK-wide collaboration to meet net-zero ambitions, especially in the areas of EV infrastructure and support for remote communities. Her remark that this is the “decisive decade” for climate action really hit home, reinforcing the urgency behind the work we all do.

Later in the day, I attended several short but powerful sessions from companies working across sectors—from electric vehicle infrastructure (Fastned, Drax, EZOO), to sustainability software (Eden Seven), to energy efficiency and hybrid heating solutions (Cotality and Intergas). Each added another piece to the complex decarbonisation puzzle—one that Colloide is proud to be contributing to through our work in water and energy solutions.

I especially appreciated hearing from Cala Group and Sidey, who offered honest insights into the challenges facing housebuilders in meeting net-zero targets. Their call to go “back to basics” served as a timely reminder that sometimes innovation means doing the simple things better.

What stood out throughout the day was the shared understanding in the room: everyone is navigating similar challenges—from funding and data to skills shortages—but we’re all moving toward the same goal: a more sustainable future.

Events like these do more than inform—they inspire. They open the door to new ideas, spark potential collaborations, and remind us of the purpose behind the work we do. As someone who spends much of their time immersed in bids and tenders, it was refreshing to connect in person with the people actively shaping our future.

Thank you to Net Zero Scotland for organising such a valuable event—and to everyone I had the chance to connect with. We’re proud Colloide was able to support it, and I’m excited to see where these conversations take us next.