Oh Yes! Net Zero – Delivering Net Zero for Hull, Three years on

Delivering Net Zero for Hull

Oh Yes! Net Zero is an ambitious, large-scale movement that aims to galvanise businesses and organisations to bring about positive change and establish Hull and the Humber as leading the way in the UK’s net zero transition.

Since launching in 2022, Oh Yes! Net Zero has grown to more than 170 active members, including seven of Hull’s largest 10 businesses, as well as scores of SMEs, some employing just a handful of people.

The Oh Yes! Net Zero campaign is part of a growing number of initiatives across Hull and Humber, as business groups, organisations and communities work together to say “Oh Yes!” to a net zero future.

Our members employ over 56,000 people, spanning all sectors and industries. What connects them all? They are totally committed to reducing their carbon footprint and becoming more sustainable.

Year Three Report

The opportunity

We have the furthest to go, but the most to gain.

Leading the way on net zero will help Hull and the Humber region to flourish, through new jobs in offshore wind and carbon capture; lower energy bills in better-insulated homes and workplaces; and cleaner air and healthier, safer lives for everyone.

The challenge

Hull and the Humber region are the UK’s largest emitting industrial cluster, producing 12 million tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

It means the region is critical to the UK government achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Put simply, if Hull and the Humber cannot achieve net zero, neither can the UK.

Taking action on Net Zero

Whether through investment in the development of more energy-efficient products, more effective waste management processes or engaging employees as net zero champions, Oh Yes! Net Zero members are embracing the challenge of cutting their carbon emissions.

Springfield Solutions

How small companies can profit from Net Zero
Springfield Solutions design and make packaging for household, food and beauty brands.
Managing Director, Matt Dass says the smallest companies face the biggest obstacles to going green. “For companies with 4-5 employees, it’s a question of selling them on how much money they can save. But also making them aware that if you’re not focusing on Net Zero now, by 2050 you’re not going to have a business.”

Hear more from Matt →
Reckitt

Making our Hull site more sustainable
Reckitt’s Hull manufacturing site uses large amounts of electricity and compressed air, but the thing most in need of a sustainable upgrade is the use of hot water, explains James Holden, Site Electrical Manager.
“Off the back of Oh Yes! we hired a consulting firm to report on the factory’s energy use, to see where the losses and inefficiencies are. This has made it easier to take the results to management and make the case for action.”

Hear more from James →
Helix CMS

An innovative approach to carbon reduction
As an eco-conscious company, Helix CMS decided to match the Net Zero target of 2030, set by their primary NHS partner - Hull University Teaching Hospital Trust - implementing a new waste management programme to divert 99-100% of waste from landfill.
Business Development Manager, Beth Bellingham believes being a new business, without a legacy of carbon intensive procedures, has been an advantage. “We’ve been able to be agile and dynamic. The team is responsive to sign off initiatives to support our Net Zero plans.”

Hear more from Beth →
Climate changemakers

A new generation of Net Zero leaders
The Oh Yes! Net Zero launch event in March 2022 marked the beginning of the ‘Protect Our Future’ schools education programme, delivered in partnership with the 1851 Trust and Hull City Council. Students attending from Malet Lambert School took part in a recycling workshop that has subsequently been rolled out to all the city’s secondary schools.

Hear more from Melissa →
Ideal Heating

Transforming its business from traditional boilers to air source heat pumps
Ideal Heating, the UK’s leading heating manufacturer, was founded in Hull in 1906. Although the company had “been on a decarbonisation mission for a long time,” it was only after joining the Oh Yes! Net Zero movement that they recognised the importance of setting a Net Zero target, says Chief Operating Officer Jason Speedy.
Oh Yes! Net Zero has created a community where lessons can be shared and help offered. “Unless we collectively get together and make a start, we’re never going to change anything,” he says. “I think it’s critical that the region comes together to attack this problem.”

Hear more from Jason →
KCOM

Powering the city’s digital revolution
As the main landline and internet provider in Hull, KCOM was involved in Oh Yes! from the very start, explains Caroline Morris, KCOM’s Head of Wellbeing, Health, Safety and Sustainability. It has committed to switching from copper to fibre networks, a move that would reduce energy use by 35%. And it has installed solar energy in one site, and begun a trial of electric vans.

Hear more from Caroline →
Rollits

The service sector is crucial to Net Zero too
The firm wanted to be involved in something that would “give tips and signpost ideas, initiatives, suggestions.” In addition to energy efficient lighting, Rollits now uses eco-friendly printing materials and has adopted a “paper lite” approach, using electronic documents and signatures as much as possible.
Meanwhile, movement sensors in meeting rooms ensure lights are turned off when everyone leaves the room. Pat explains that Oh Yes! “Made us question and think outside the box about the things we could do.”

Hear more form Pat →

Founding Members

Oh Yes! Net Zero is a movement of Hull and Humber-based organisations committed to taking action to achieve their net zero ambitions.

Established in 2022 by founding partners Reckitt, Hull City Council, Future Humber and the University of Hull, the campaign’s objective is for Hull to lead the way in demonstrating how a city can become net zero.