SDUK Heading to go here

Welcome to GovNet’s 5th annual conference for those involved in the UK sustainable development agenda, SDUK 2010.  300 key decision makers from across the UK will be present at this high profile and prestigious conference, joining over 20 speakers and high-level exhibitors to discuss the latest topics affecting UK sustainable development.

In July the government launched its Low Carbon Industrial Strategy which sets out the action the government is taking to ensure that British businesses and workers are equipped to maximise the economic opportunities and minimise the costs of the transition to a low carbon economy. Low carbon goods and services are already worth £3 trillion to the global economy, and in the UK employ nearly 900,000 directly and through the supply chain. Through strategically placed high level speakers and a series of in depth workshops, SDUK 2010 will examine how the UK must ensure that we equip businesses and the workforce with the capabilities and skills to take advantage of the potential benefits for innovation, growth and job creation in the UK.

Alongside the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy the government has published a UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, which plots out how the nation will meet the cut in emissions set out in the budget of 34% on 1990 levels by 2020. The transition plan is the most systematic response to climate change of any major developed economy and sets out the standard for other nations in the crucial global climate talks in Copenhagen in December. SDUK 2010 will be ideally placed to examine the progress of the Low Carbon Transition Plan, and report on progress made in Copenhagen on the government’s efforts to achieve a new international climate agreement.

Professor John Beddington’s speech at SDUK09 attracted global press coverage following his warning that the world faces a “perfect storm” of food shortages, scarce water and insufficient energy resources which threaten to unleash public unrest, cross-order conflicts and mass migration as people flee from the worst affected regions. He also warned that a major technological push was needed to develop renewable energy supplies, boost crop yields and better utilise existing water supplies. We look forward to welcoming back Professor Beddington at SDUK2010 to update delegates on the major issues affecting science, energy and the environment and gain his latest thoughts on the most dangerous effects of climate change we must address if we are to avoid a “perfect storm” scenario in 2030.

Is your organisation prepared for the Carbon Reduction Scheme, a new mandatory emissions trading scheme starting in April 2010? Anyone participating in the scheme must monitor energy use and report on their equivalent carbon dioxide emissions and then purchase allowances, sold by government, to cover these emissions each year. If they do not  meet their legal obligations organisations will be fined and SDUK 2010 will discuss in detail this important scheme and guide delegates through what needs to be done, when, and how!

The recent Sustainable Development in Government Report found that despite significant steps towards reducing waste, water consumption and emissions from road travel, government departments are still not on course to meet their target for reducing carbon emissions by 12.5%, and far more remains to be done if they are to make a real contribution towards meeting the UK-wide targets for 80% emissions reduction by 2050. Confirmed speaker Will Day, recently appointed chair of the Sustainable Development Commission will be in attendance to discuss the government’s recent performance and outline the scale of the challenge and his priorities going forward.

SDUK 2010 has been developed in conjunction with our conference chair, BBC Environment Correspondent Sarah Mukherjee, and key stakeholders, to ensure delegates are exposed to key presentations directly relevant to the sustainability agenda whilst also analysing the key issues, technologies and industry best practice to take forward the opportunities and potential benefits as the world moves towards a low carbon future. We look forward to welcoming you in March.