Climate Change
Thursday 22nd April 2010, Central London, 09:30 - 16:00
Inside Government's Case Study Convention:
Climate Change: Towards a Low Carbon Economy
Overview
Recent findings from leading scientists and politicians have stated that tackling climate change, by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, is the most critical, long-term problem facing all governments.
According to a new Ipsos MORI survey, people want to know more about climate change and they want to see more done about it. About four in five people want more education and action on climate change, with most people looking to the government in each case. In particular, people want to know more about what they can do now to adapt for the challenges ahead. When it comes to the impacts of climate change, 67% of people believe it is already affecting the UK and 83% think it’s already affecting the world.
To respond to the challenges of climate change, the government published its Low Carbon Transition Plan in July 2009. The aim of the Plan is to create a low carbon country, achieving an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The UK government is committed to addressing both the causes and consequences of climate change and to make the transition to a low carbon economy and tackle climate change. The Climate Change Act has created a new approach to managing and responding to climate change in the UK through: setting ambitious targets, taking powers to help achieve them, strengthening the institutional framework, enhancing the UK’s ability to adapt to the impact of climate change and establishing clear and regular accountability to the UK, Parliament and devolved legislatures. It demonstrates the UK’s leadership as progress continues towards establishing a post-Kyoto global emissions agreement.
The government announced its decision to implement the new emission trading scheme, the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) in 2007. The CRC will cost-effectively deliver carbon emission reductions and cost savings in the service sector, public sector and other less energy-intensive industries. The CRC is the UK's mandatory climate change and energy saving scheme, due to start in April 2010.
The damaging effects of climate change require local authorities to act now to further reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
With this in mind, this unique convention will offer delegates the opportunity to discuss policies, strategies and concrete initiatives both to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.
| 09:30 | Coffee and Registration |
| 10:05 | Chair's Opening Remarks Dr Paul Haynes, Research Associate, Cambridge Centre for Climate Change Mitigation, University of Cambridge (CONFIRMED) |
| 10:10 | Case Study 1: Adapting to Climate Change in the City
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| 10:30 | Case Study 2: A Joined Up Approach to Tackling Climate Change
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| 10:50 | Questions and Answers Session |
| 11:10 | Coffee and Networking |
| 11:30 | Climate Change: Workshop 1 A one-hour workshop which will allow delegates to understand complex areas of specific interest. The sessions will then open up into an interactive discussion on the key issues raised, giving you the chance to contribute to the debate as well as be updated on topical interests. Suggested workshop topics:
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| 12:30 | Lunch and Networking |
| 13:30 | Climate Change: Workshop 2 A one-hour workshop which will allow delegates to understand complex areas of specific interest. The sessions will then open up into an interactive discussion on the key issues raised, giving you the chance to contribute to the debate as well as be updated on topical interests. Suggested workshop topics:
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| 14:30 | Coffee and Networking |
| 14:50 | Case Study 3: Tackling Climate Change Using Renewable Energy
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| 15:10 | Case Study 4: Climate Change Regeneration - an Example in Barking Town Centre
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| 15:30 | Questions and Answers Session |
| 16:00 | Close |
*programme subject to change without notice
Audience
Delegates will be drawn from local authorities, housing associations, construction industry, RSLs, energy and construction industry, trade unions, environmental groups, think tanks, businesses and employers, regional development agencies, local strategic partnerships, local, NGOs, housing organisations, academia and legal & voluntary, directors of housing, carbon budget managers, heads of policy, heads of procurement, heads of finance, heads of energy, and anyone interested in energy efficiency and carbon management.