This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Climate change conference
18/05/2005
The Executive and Perth & Kinross Council will bring
together leading academics, politicians, businesses and
experts next month to share knowledge on the challenges
posed by climate change.
The Climate Change - Focus on Scotland conference at
Crieff Hydro on
Monday, June 6 forms part of an extensive
programme of events taking place across Scotland to
encourage engagement with the key themes of G8 Summit.
Key speakers include Ross Finnie, Minister for
Environment and Rural Development and Professor Peter Cox,
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology as well as representatives
from the business sector and academic institutions.
Speaking ahead of the conference Ross Finnie said:
"The Scottish Executive is committed to tackling the
causes of climate change and adapting to its unavoidable
impacts.
"Scotland contributes equally to the UK targets on
reducing carbon emissions and we have also made £89 million
available, over three years, to local authorities to build
flood prevention schemes in the most vulnerable communities
across Scotland.
"However, only if everyone in Scotland responds to the
challenge, can Scotland truly play a leading role in global
efforts to protect our environment, our planet and our
future."
Bernadette Malone, Chief Executive of Perth &
Kinross Council, said:
"The world leaders will be discussing climate change as
a global issue but that does not mean that it is something
remote which only impacts somewhere else. Climate change
has real implications for Scotland, not least for us here
in Perth and Kinross, where we know of the damage that
flooding can cause, where windfarms are a current topic of
debate and where we already benefit from green,
hydro-electric energy production."
Professor James Curran, Head of Environmental Strategy
at SEPA added:
"It is vital that everyone realises the seriousness of
climate change, that they understand the damage it is
already doing to our planet, our only home after all, and
the devastation it will cause in future. This conference
should persuade all of us to change the way we think and
the way we act."
The conference will feature a mix of presentations,
workshops and question and answer sessions which will give
delegates the opportunity to focus on key issues. Major
topics for the workshops include, renewable energy, the
role of energy conservation, opportunities for business,
climate change and adaptation, greening your organisation
and carbon neutral initiatives.
There will also be an exhibition featuring contributions
from Shell, WWF, Scottish Power, Energy Savings Trust, The
Carbon Trust and local initiatives such as the eco-schools
project and the SEER centre.
Anyone interested in registering for the conference can
obtain a registration form from Blueprint Conference &
Events, 3 Duckburn Park, Dunblane, FK15 0EW or by calling
01786 826550. Alternatively it is possible to register
online at:
www.blueprintconference.com/climatechange
In line with the theme of climate change the Scottish
Executive is also working with Perth & Kinross Council
to minimise the environmental impact of the conference.
Particular thought has been given to reducing carbon
emissions by such measures as providing transport from key
locations in Scotland to reduce the number of cars brought
to the conference and sourcing local, organically grown and
in-season produce.
The full list of speakers for the conference is -
Ross Finnie MSP, Minister for Environment and Rural
Development, Professor Peter Cox, Centre for Ecology and
Hydrology, Representatives from SEPA, SNH, Aviva General
Insurance International, Scottish Renewables Forum,
University of Abertay and Dundee University.
A wide ranging educational programme of G8 related
events organised by Perth & Kinross Council includes -
an Eco Panels Competition, Banners for a Better World, a
national Speechmaking Competition in Auchterarder Community
School, developing International links with partner schools
from G8 countries.