In February, we convened the second Perseus Communications and Engagement meeting, co-chaired by Tide and Icebreaker One. This meeting aimed to give members a clear sense of what is coming next for Perseus and the project’s priorities for 2024. In addition, the meeting aimed to articulate, define and form inter-AG working groups dedicated to specific tasks.

Key insights:

  • It was noted that an overview of the 2024 Perseus priorities was delivered:
    • Q1: Update existing Members and gain new members; initiative detailed design for governance, assurance, legal terms, codes/regs; design onboarding for pilot with members, map data flows from reporting solutions to banks.
    • Q2: Members renewed and expanded; register members in TF; refine prototype and build learnings into Pilot Plan; design and agree assurance, legal terms, codes/regs.
    • Q3: Pilot onboarding & implementation; register members in pilot scheme, engagement workshops; pilot communications design & engagement; legal terms signed; code interventions initiated.
    • Q4: Pilot live; user feedback; member-led communications; Perseus report and 2025 plan.
  • It was noted that an overview of the 2024 communications priorities was delivered:
    • H1&2: Communicate the Perseus use case and our key messages about value.
    • H1: Identify and mitigate reputational risks.
    • H1: Highlight the value of being involved now/Work in the open.
    • H2: Work with other AGs to align external messaging with Pilot T&Cs and user experience.
    • H2: Promote successful Pilot launch to industry stakeholders and SMEs.
    • 2025 – Call to action for SMEs to get involved/use a product.
  • It was noted that the governance and structure of AGs for 2024 was presented:
  • The purpose of the Advisory Group (AG) will be to define the direction, scope and oversight, and adopt recommendations made by the Working Groups (WGs). AGs will report into the Steering Group and meet quarterly.
  • SG comprises non-commercial actors and regulators as observers.
  • New introduction of the Delivery Oversight Committee, appointed by the SG, working with the IoD and UK Finance.
  • Members will need the ability to approve requests and processes raised in the AG meetings on behalf of their organisations.
  • It was noted that Working Groups will be introduced to explore specific issues in depth. AG4 formed initial Working Groups in:
    • Identifying opportunities to communicate momentum.
    • Mapping and monitoring communications risks.
    • Government and regulator relationships.
  • It was discussed that:
    • WG1 should look into events in key areas and use those opportunities to capture followers and maintain engagement.
    • WG2 will create and maintain a Communications risk register with mitigation recommendations.
    • WG3 should leverage existing networks and relationships with regulators and politicians. Additionally, the group should consider the political landscape with upcoming elections in the UK and the US.

Attendees

Co-chairs:

Zarina Banu, Tide

Laura Townshend, IB1

Members:

Andrew Jackson, Swishfund Ltd

Anna Campbell, Climate Essentials

Ash Goddard, Climate Clarity

Beth Arthurs, Connect Earth

Conrad Langridge, Sage

Gail Rivett, Our Carbon

Imogen O’Rorke, SEC Newgate

Jane Lucy, Perse Energy

Nik Roovers, British Business Bank

Nika Safonova, Cogo

Olivia Partington, Climate Clarity 

Stephen Dury, Capgemini Invent

Tanya Kenny, Demand Logic

Vaz Nahl, Capgemini Invent

Connect Earth

Apologies:

Adam Jackson, Innovate Finance

Andrew Griffiths, Planet Mark

Caroline Bourne, HSBC UK

Elena Zayakova , Sage

Jarmo Eskelinen, University of Edinburgh

Neil Ross Russell, Net Zero Now

Rebecca Harding, Rebeccanomics

Rick Curtis, SmartDCC

Sean Hanafin, Climate Bonds Initiative