Copenhagen Events

December 2009

We presented our preliminary findings at the following meetings in Copenhagen:

At the Klimaforum 09 on the 10th December we presented Sustainable Energy Scenarios and on 15th December we presented Moving Towards Zero Carbon and Beyond.

We also had exhibition stalls at:
INFORSE Exhibition stall at Bella Center
INFORSE Exhibition stall at KlimaForum09

ZeroCarbonBritain 2030 - Co-creating a vision

In 2009 a series of six public events offered the opportunity to learn about and co-create a blueprint for a sustainable future. All six events were held at the Centre for Alternative Technology, Europe's leading eco centre. The seminar afternoons are based around six research papers we are currently working on all of which will feed into our Zero Carbon Britain 2 report, a coherent blueprint of what our energy future could be like.

The current global context has been described as "a convergence of crisis", referring to a mix of climate, energy and economic challenges. Senior experts, scientists, NGO's and political leaders are now appreciating that the most recent evidence reveals a situation more urgent than had been expected, therefore a more urgent response is needed. We need a plan of action, an alternative energy strategy for the UK. Hence Zero Carbon Britain 2.

We would like to invite you to join us in this journey by attending any of the six seminars held at CAT. By consolidating and building upon the existing ground breaking work we can create a common, coherent vision, and confidently accelerate our response. These six seminars are offered free of charge and cover the topic areas outlines below.

Past Events

ZeroCarbonBritain 2030 - Land Use and Agriculture

9th September 2009

The transition to a Zero Carbon Britain will require significant changes in the approach and practices for land-use and agriculture. This is perhaps one of the most controversial areas for exploration, with implications in planning, ownership, diet and stocking levels. This session explores land-use scenarios necessary to decarbonise Britain including reducing non-CO2 emissions, the UK's potential for biomass and exciting possibilities for carbon sequestration.

ZeroCarbonBritain 2030 - Policy, Actions & Economics

30th September 2009

This seminar explores how Britain can invest in the necessary transition, on a similar scale to bank bailouts; we can decrease our energy waste and meet the real demands through powering up renewable sources. Such visionary measures will not only stimulate the economy through increased jobs they will create a very tangible dividend of energy saved and generated.

This final seminar will look at both international and national frameworks that can be adopted to bring about the level of change required.

ZeroCarbonBritain 2030 - Buildings & the Built Environment

5th May 2009

The use of appropriate design and technology along with occupant engagement are key tools to enable our targets to be reached. The buildings industry has the potential to radically reduce it's green house gas emissions as well documented in reports such as "the 40% house". UK legislation forces homes to be "Zero Carbon" by 2016 with Wales aiming for 2011.

This seminar explores potentials for re-thinking our built environment including retrofitting existing buildings and zero carbon new build.

ZeroCarbonBritain 2030 - Renewable Energy

3rd June 2009

Britain is described as the Saudi Arabia or wind due to our incredible offshore natural resource. The potentials at a local level are also vast; many of Britain's rural communities can generate their own indigenous renewable energy.

This seminar explores how forests, rivers, coastlines, barns and buildings can have the potential to generate their own energy. With different technologies appropriate dependant on your site. By their very nature renewable reserves will not peak: in fact as the technology matures and becomes economic in a wider range of applications, the available reserve actually increases annually.

ZeroCarbonBritain 2030 - Transport

30th June 2009

This session explores the transport options capable of contributing to a zero carbon future including: reducing the need to travel, modal shifts and new technologies such as vehicle to grid systems.

ZeroCarbonBritain 2030 - The Carbon Crunch

31st March 2009

The challenges of climate change and energy security must be looked at together in order to create an appropriate response which avoids mass dislocation unseen in modern times.

The credit crunch has highlighted what can happen if we don't take appropriate action to foreseen issues. The carbon crunch will be more serious, particularly for rural communities. This seminar explores the scale, speed and nature of these global challenges and therefore the responses they demand from us.

Launched at the Sustainable Science Symposium

7th July

zerocarbonbritain officially launched at the Sustainable Science Symposium (SSS). Hosted at CAT, the SSS is a flagship sustainable event. Prominent keynote speakers on “low-carbon homes” to renewable technologies. Showcase of innovative papers & research from CAT’s trailblazing Graduate School for the Environment (GSE).

AGM of the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group

10th July

Presentation of zerocarbonbritain at the AGM of the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group (APPCCG) in Westminster. The event is sponsored by the Carbon Trust and attended by a number of high-profile politicians, policymakers and environmental organisations.

Parliamentary Reception

18th July

Further presented at its own parliamentary reception in Westminster, sponsored by Colin Challen MP & Talbotts Boilers and catered by Oliver Rowe (BBC2’s Urban Chef).

Joint Committee - Draft Climate Change Bill

25th May

zerocarbonbritain submitted evidence to the Joint Committee for the Draft Climate Change Bill on May 25th.

Draft Climate Change Bill Consultation

12th June

zerocarbonbritain submitted evidence to DEFRA's Draft Climate Change Bill Consultation.

Energy White Paper Consultation

July / August

zerocarbonbritain will be submitting evidence to the various DTI consultations relating to the Energy White Paper.

Consultation - Local Government Information Unit

28th September

The LGiU's new carbon trading council's scheme Carbon Trading Councils - COT - will enable local authorities and approved partners to commit to a path of reducing carbon emissions. By putting a price on carbon emissions COT will incentivise action to tackle climate change. Tim Helweg-Larsen is giving a prsentation and advising the LGiU on various aspects of this fledgling scheme.

C-Change Lecture

29th September

Tim Helweg-Larsen will be giving a lecture in Oxford for C-Change, a charity that shows young people that the solutions are out there and we shouldn’t give up hope.

European Energy Conference

1st-5th October

Tim Helweg-Larsen (Project Leader) and Paul Allen (Project Director) will be attending the European Sustainable Energy Policy conference next week. The event is being held on the Danish island of Samsø - a 100% renewably powered island community of over 4000 thousand people.

Evidence - Welsh Assembly Sustainability Commission

11th October

The Welsh Assembly Sustainability Commission's Carbon Reduction Committee will receive evidence from Tim Helweg-Larsen (Project Leader) and Paul Allen (Project Director). The aim of the inquiry is to scrutinise the Welsh Assembly Government on how they are contributing to the UK carbon reduction targets and how they propose to meet the 3% target in the One Wales document.

Cambridge University Talk

Mid-October

A presentation and discussion of the strategy to Cambridge University and other Cambridge-based groups. Check back for details.

Transition Town Totnes

31st October

A presentation and discussion held in Totnes building on the work of both projects. Rob Hopkins has said of the ZCB project, "A wonderful piece of work, the most important piece of work CAT has ever produced, and very important for Transition Initiatives too.