Background

Welcome to GovNet’s 4th Annual SDUK Conference, the UK’s premier sustainable development event. SDUK09 has been intensely researched to bring you all the hot topics taking place within the public sector sustainable development arena. Our chair for SDUK09 is Sarah Mukherjee, BBC Environment Correspondent. Sarah has worked very closely with us to develop the programme for next year’s event, which promises to be our most informative and thought provoking Sustainable Development conference to date.

Jonathon Porritt, co-founder  and programme  Director of Forum for the Future and Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission, has already committed to speak at SDUK09. As the Government’s principle source of  independent advice across the whole sustainable development arena, the Sustainable Development Commission are dynamic leaders in their field, and we are delighted to welcome Jonathan back as a stand out speaker from 2008.

Over 400 key decision makers from across the UK will be present at this high profile and prestigious conference, joining 20 speakers and over 25 exhibitors to discuss the latest topics affecting public sector sustainable development policy, share best practice and discover new methods of working.

The theme of this year’s conference is Time for Change - rising global temperatures will bring changes in weather patterns, rising sea levels and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions. We need to avoid making the problem worse, so cutting carbon emissions is a priority. But all of us – individuals, businesses, the Government and public authorities – will also need to adapt our behaviour to respond to the challenges of climate change. Through the formation of Department for Energy and Climate change the Government has rightly shifted focus to this vital area and our invited keynote speaker, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband  MP  -  Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change will be discussing the remit of his new department and  the key actions planned for the Government’s Adapting to Climate Change Programme. This is a cross-government programme, co-ordinated by DECC is dedicated to adapting to climate change in England. and brings together the work already being led by Government and the wider public sector in this regard. It will also coordinate and drive forward the development of the Government’s work on adaptation in the future.

Another key area for discussion will be how to ensure a secure and sustainable food supply in Britain. Defra have recently published a discussion paper ‘Food Matters: Ensuring the UK’s Food Security in a Changing World’ which stressed the importance of ensuring the resilience of the UK food supply chain.  Professor Sir John Beddington, who is already confirmed on the programme, will be discussing the twin challenges of climate change and food security and the role of agriculture in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Also on the agenda are the Government’s transport investment and policy plans to 2014. Towards a Sustainable Transport System (TaSTS) will also set out proposals for a new approach to strategic transport planning for the period beyond 2014 that would implement the recommendations of the Eddington transport study and reflect the Stern Review of the economics of climate change.  Beddington, who memorably captivated the audience last year, will be ensuring that the latest advice and guidance is given.  For a link to press coverage of his speech last year click here.

The afternoon session will start with invited speaker Mayor of London Boris Johnson. On July 3 the Mayor announced the development of ten high-technology ‘Low Carbon Zones’ across London by 2012 to deliver ‘greener’, low-carbon solutions to households and businesses helping to deliver reduced energy bills. This will help to meet the Mayor’s manifesto commitment to make London a low-carbon city with a target to slash carbon emissions by 60% by 2025. He will also be discussing London’s involvement in the C40 group of major international cities and the common agenda to reduce emissions and tackle climate change.

The afternoon session will also include a presentation by invited speaker George Osborne MP, who will be outlining Conservative plans for energy policy, green taxes and emissions trading. In response, new Energy Minister, Mike O’Brien MP will be discussing the energy policy challenge, tackling climate change and ensuring security of supply. High on the agenda will be the Energy Bill and the recently published UK Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation.

The afternoon will be completed by the Energy Debate, which will feature our conference chair, Sarah Mukherjee, Mike O’Brien MP, Charles Hendry MP, Conservative Energy Spokesman and Chris Rapley, Director of the Science Museum and former Director of the British Antarctic Survey. Chris will also be speaking earlier in the day about the dangers of climate change, his experiences in Antarctica, and the problems and possible solutions surrounding climate change and the developing world.