Scotland’s Future Series supports climate change conference
The Centre for Energy Ethics hosted an all-day conference called ‘Acting on Climate Change Policy, Rights and Net Zero’ which saw a distinguished line-up of panellists and attendees come together to discuss the impact and importance of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act of 2009.
One of the main parts of the event, sponsored by Scotland’s Future Series, was the Policy Reunion panel session which allowed participants to reflect on the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
The event, held on Friday 10 May, opened with a networking breakfast before the first session of the day on the topic of Investing in Sustainability.
Led by University Quaestor and Factor, Derek Watson, guests were given an overview of the current and proposed plans for renewable energy developments at the university, in addition to the multiple avenues for collaboration that have opened up since sustainability was embedded in the University governance strategy.
The Quaestor also announced the recent launch of the University Annual Sustainability Report, featuring case studies and highlights of the scope and breadth of work being undertaken across the University, noting the alignment with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals – the first time the Report has been structured this way.
Following the morning session, lecturer in the School of Geography and Sustainable Development, Dr Lydia Cole, was joined by Professor Rowan Cruft from Stirling University and Dr Daria Shapovalova from Aberdeen University to discuss the question of a rights-based approach to climate action in the ‘How Should Climate Rights Shape Net Zero?’ panel event.
The afternoon ‘Policy Reunion’ panel session brought together key stakeholders involved in the development of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. Participants included the co-leader of the Scottish Greens, Patrick Harvie MSP; Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack; former Deputy Director, Climate Change and Greener Scotland Division, Philip Wright; Dr Sam Gardener, Head of Climate Change and Sustainability at Scottish Power, who worked for WWF Scotland at the time; Dr Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland; and Jenny Stanning, who worked in parliament at the time and now leads on external affairs for Offshore Energy UK.
The discussion was facilitated by Assistant Vice-Principal (International) Professor Stephen Gethins, formerly a Special Adviser to the First Minister on EU, International Affairs, Energy, and Climate Change.
Dr Sean Field, who organised the event with CEE colleagues Dr Mette High and Dr Emilka Skrzypek, said they were very grateful for the support given by the Scotland’s Future Series.
Commenting on the significance of the event, held just days after the Scottish Government announced it could no longer meet 2035 net-zero targets, Dr Field said: “This event came at a unique juncture in time when meeting its climate commitments was at the forefront of Scotland’s politics. A unique message stressed by all the participants of the Policy Reunion was the Act was the product of cross-party cross-sectoral cooperation and consensus building and that meeting its ambitions would require similar, if not greater, levels of collaboration.”