The Centre for Energy Policy at the University of Strathclyde launched their popular Energy Conversations which took place online.
The first event in the series Managing disruptions on the path to Net Zero took place on 13 January at 16:00, and explored how disruptors such as the Covid-19 pandemic, which had such a wide-ranging and significant impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, might affect the UK’s ambitions to meet mid-century net zero emissions targets
The event welcomed participants from a wide range of organisations, backgrounds and was open to members of the public, students and professionals.
The event wias chaired by the established journalist Alf Young who now writes for the Scottish edition of The Times and will encourage open discussion between a diverse panel and audience members.
This Energy Conversation looked at tackling key questions including:
- Have disruptive events such as the Covid-19 pandemic made governments, industry and citizens think differently about Net Zero ambitions?
- What are the biggest threats and greatest opportunities that disruptors pose to the UK meeting Net Zero ambitions?
- What could Governments do that would both help address disruptors such as the Covid-19 pandemic and accelerate progress to Net Zero?
- What other disruptors could affect the UK’s path to Net Zero?
Speakers included:
- Rozanne Foyer, General Secretary, Scottish Trades Union Congress
- Sam Gardner, Head of Climate Change and Sustainability, Scottish Power
- Alan Brown, MP and Member of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy [BEIS] Select Committee and Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Energy and Climate Change)
- Professor Karen Turner, Director, Centre for Energy Policy
- Alf Young, Journalist (Chair)