Net zero agenda draws top speakers at Scotland event
Key decarbonisation technologies and forming valued partnerships, will help us meet our net zero goals, delegates to a major conference in Scotland were told.
The Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference in Edinburgh brought together those leading on the net zero agenda from across the public sector, third sector and businesses.
Top of the agenda was how to achieve carbon and cost savings and how turning promises into actions using innovative technology would help accelerate change.
The event highlighted projects from across the world.
Speaker at the event, Chief Executive of Salix Finance Annie Shepperd, OBE, focused on Scotland’s responsibility and capacity to be an example of best practice internationally. She urged the collective need for industrial nations to innovate.
Annie presented to the Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference the stunning work that is going on in the Amazon to try to save the lungs of the world and the work of the Nobel institute to promote this work, now the smaller industrial nations can step up and lead the way.
“What we have is a crisis in innovative leadership and small industrial nations must lead the way and Scotland has all the talent, commitment and knowledge to be one of those industrial nations.” It is the industrial nations that are creating the carbon emissions and there is no option but to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
"The presentations today demonstrate that the people in the room have the answers, we know what needs to be done and leadership that can pull together this holistic approach to radically reducing our reliance on fossil fuels is what the experts we have heard from today need to co-ordinate and present plans to the listening ears of our political leadership in Scotland.”
Speaker Patrick Harvie MSP, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights at Scottish Government, detailed the funding opportunities available to organisations across Scotland which will enable them to drive delivery at the pace needed.
Scottish Enterprise Director of Economic Opportunities and Climate, Suzanne Sosna, highlighted how important it is to support businesses to unlock net zero opportunities as well as to strengthen supply chains to maintain essential networks.
And throughout the event the Salix Finance team was there to discuss the issues, join panel events and listen to the speakers including those from Ener-Vate, Sustainable Economics, Locogen and Schneider Electric.
Director of Sustainable Economics Stefanie O’Gorman who is also a member of Scotland’s Climate Emergency Response Group said it was key to partner locally when unlocking opportunities and delivering inclusive transformation.
At the event the role and impact of heat pumps was discussed by Domestic Product Director of Ideal Heating, Elizabeth Wilkinson.
“If we are to meet our net zero targets it is clear that we must change the way that we heat and cool our buildings.”
David Linsley-Hood, Director in Consultancy at Locogen, discussed deliverable solutions for decarbonisation, and the importance of forming and valuing partnerships and networks that can make our goals a reality.
The event, held on Wednesday, March 29, was organised by Net Zero Scotland and supported by Scottish Government and the Net Zero Club.
