Green shoots, negotiation and having a plan - All Energy 2026
Last week’s All Energy exhibition and conference in Glasgow once again confirmed its status as the UK’s leading gathering for the sector. Beyond the scale of the event, what stood out most were the conversations — grounded, pragmatic and cautiously optimistic — about where energy in Scotland goes next, and what the current political landscape means for delivery.
Elections, Influence and the Planning Question
A recurring theme was the significance of the most recent national election in Scotland, alongside local elections in England and the current dynamics at Westminster. SNP remains in power but without an overall majority. That reality matters. It points to a future where collaboration, negotiation and compromise will shape policy outcomes — particularly in complex areas such as environmental planning and energy infrastructure.
There was also frank discussion about the evolving relationship between devolved and reserved powers. The Scottish Government has been clear in its desire for greater decision‑making authority over energy policy in Scotland. How that ambition intersects with Westminster will directly affect timelines, investor confidence and planning certainty across renewables, networks and low‑carbon technologies.
Confidence on the Floor — and Among Investors
Despite political complexity, the mood on the exhibition floor was notably positive. Projects are moving forward. Pipelines are being replenished. Confidence is important not just for developers and supply chains, but for investors, too.
The conversations in Glasgow were a timely reminder that investor relations must be a core part of any serious public relations and communication strategy. Confidence, clarity and consistency are what unlock capital — and capital is what turns ambition into infrastructure.
Net Zero: From Abstract to Tangible
Net zero remains a powerful organising idea in Scotland, but for many communities it still feels abstract. What resonated in Glasgow was a growing recognition that we must talk less about targets and more about outcomes: warmer homes, secure jobs, fair energy costs, healthier environments.
This echoes my experience a number of years ago managing the PR and communication for Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group, where the biggest challenge — and opportunity — was bringing all sectors of society together around shared, practical benefits rather than abstract goals.
A Shared Language for Progress
That’s why the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remain so important. They are universal, practical and human. They offer a shared language — whether the issue is food security, clean water, equality or economic resilience. This thinking informed the launch of my Synergy Framework© in 2022, integrating strategic communication with the SDGs to help organisations connect purpose with delivery.
A Call to Action: Have a Plan
The takeaway from All Energy is simple: ambition is not enough. Organisations need a plan — one that sets out how people are taken on the journey, how impact is measured, and how social, economic, political and environmental factors are understood together.
Because when those elements align, delivery follows. And that’s how momentum becomes meaningful change.