In this episode we talk to Donna Sutherland from Veri Energy about the challenges and opportunities facing oil and gas. Our focus is on Sullom Voe Terminal (SVT) in the Shetland Isles and the opportunity its unique proximity to legacy oil and gas infrastructure, water and renewable electricity will enable a genesis of the site in the net zero world. However there are challenges! We discuss government policy and support for projects like SVT and what needs to happen to enable investment in such projects. We look at social barriers and behaviours that need to change to allow a "right" transition. And we ask Donna if she was given one wish of government what would that be!

With a bow wave of renewable energy projects either in, or about to enter the planning and consenting process we ask the question of whether the present system is appropriate and robust for the net zero opportunity. Jonathan and Phil speak with Jadine Berry and Owen Francis from Turley and explore the current system with a net zero lens. What route do projects take through the planning process? Is there an engineering bias by project developers that can over look some of the complexities in stakeholder engagement? When should a project consider the planning and consenting process? How does the process vary between the devolved nations? Listen to this episode and find answers to all these questions and more.

In the first edition of What On Earth! Phil and Jonathan chatted with Chris McMahon of Bristol University on the challenges of sustainability and a circular economy from an engineering perspective. Can we engineer ourselves out of the net zero challenge with continued human ingenuity? Or have we reached the peak of incremental change that has now created complex systems and processes which now heighten our circularity challenges. Learn about Jevons paradox and the multi-polar trap that explain our current challenges as society and possibly add a few titles to your reading list!