Tim Eggar, current Chairman of the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) and UK government Energy Minister from 1992 – 96, used the opportunity of the combined PROSPEX and PETEX conference in London on 24 November 2021 to give a speech in which he highlighted the vital role being played by the Centres of Doctoral Training in putting geoscience research at the heart of many strategies to facilitate the transition to net zero carbon.  Once again, the value of the CDTs’ unique combined research and training model in preparing tomorrow’s geoscience experts for roles in the Energy Transition industries and regulation was recognised.