SDUK Heading to go here

A series of five one-hour seminars running in the morning and afternoon of the event 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 hot topics of the day. Some of the seminar areas that will be covered are as follows:


  • Seminar A:

    NERC Cities in a Changing Climate: Factoring Science into Decision Making

    The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is the UK's main agency for funding and managing research, training and knowledge exchange in the environmental sciences.

    Cities are responsible for the majority of the world’s emissions of greenhouse gases and are potential hot spots of vulnerability to climate change impacts by virtue of their high concentration of people and assets. This seminar will consider some of the challenges faced by decision-makers in adapting cities to climate change and transitioning to a low carbon economy. It will consider the role of environmental science in observing and simulating urban climates and its role in helping decision-makers implement and develop policies. It will look at a case study in which environmental scientists worked with the Greater London Authority to analyse the role of planning in mediating climate risks, and consider NERC’s current and future investments in the area of sustainable development. There will be an opportunity to discuss how stakeholders and academics can interact to improve dissemination of environmental science.

    Speakers:

    Mr Alex Nickson (tbc)
    Strategy Manager for Climate Change Adaptation and Water - Greater London Authority

    Professor Stephen Belcher
    University of Reading, Department of Meteorology. Expert in urban meteorology and Head of School of Mathematics, Meteorology and Physics

    Dr Richard Dawson
    Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Research Fellow, Newcastle University, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences.

    Professor Louise Heathewaite (tbc)
    Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainable Water Management in the Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University; NERC leader for the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources science theme.


  • Seminar B:

    Sustainable Development in GovernmentNERC

    Central government has a key leadership role to play in supporting the UK economy to become more sustainable. This shared Defra/DECC/CESP seminar will give an overview of the policy context and results so far for delivering sustainable development in central government. It will also look at work underway to unleash the potential for saving via energy efficiency - in particular how government can deliver 10% energy savings by 2013. There will be a group discussion, including the opportunity to debate the potential role and future for sustainable development in improving efficiency of resources and finances in government.

    Speakers:

    Kay Williams
    Sustainable Consumption and Production Programme, Defra

    Fiona Ross
    Director, CESP


  • Seminar C:

    FDF Food and Drink Federation : ‘Carbon, Water, Waste’

    Find out how the UK’s biggest manufacturing sector is reducing its environmental impact by tackling carbon emissions, water use, and waste through the Food and Drink Federation’s Five-fold Environmental Ambition. As the policy debates continue to evolve, the Food and Drink Federation is committed to reviewing the future direction of its Ambition – so this workshop is also an ideal opportunity to share your experiences and thoughts on how industry can collectively improve its environmental performance.


  • Seminar D:

    PepsiCo PepsiCo UK & Ireland – Engaging our stakeholders in a collaborative
    carbon reduction program

    This seminar will cover:

    Highlighting the need to fully understand the total environmental impact of your enterprise.

    Show how we have developed a clear strategy with bold and ambitious targets.

    Explain the importance of collaborative action across the total supply chain.

    Give examples of how we are engaging both internally and externally on our Sustainability agenda.

    Speakers:

    Martyn Seal
    PepsiCo Europe Sustainability Director

    Richard Profit
    PepsiCo Sustainability team


  • Seminar E:

    co2sense Challenges Faced by a Low Carbon Economy

    CO2Sense Yorkshire works with companies to help them achieve tangible results and prosper within a low carbon economy. In the session, you’ll hear from Joanne Pollard, chief executive of CO2Sense Yorkshire. She will give an overview of the challenges and opportunities that the low carbon agenda will bring to businesses, from SMEs through to large multi-nationals. You’ll see examples of the work CO2Sense has done and hear how businesses in Yorkshire are being given a head start in waste management, alternative energy, carbon reduction and new technologies.

    Speaker:

    Joanne Pollard
    Chief Executive, CO2 Sense Yorkshire