Carbon Brief’s pick of the Climate and Energy events at the Conservative conference
According to BBC Political editor Nick Robinson, David Cameron will not use his party conference speech to respond to mounting pressure within his party for a tougher stance towards the EU and an in/out referendum.
But it seems likely that energy and environmental policy will be one of the key battlegrounds.
Nick Clegg used his conference speech last week to claim: “To make blue go green you have to add yellow” . And it’s rumoured that during the Conservative conference, Chancellor George Osborne will launch a new push for gas power – move widely criticised as being incompatible with existing emissions targets.
What’s more, Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is expected to make a speech this week criticising Cameron’s hold-up of a plan for London’s aviation future. So much for claims the conference would be a Cameron-Johnson ” peace summit“.
Sounds like things could get quite tasty, so here’s our pick of climate and energy fringe events. If you’re planning on a trip to sunny Birmingham next week, why not pop in.
Don’t panic if, like us, you haven’t shelled out for a pass – these events are outside of the security zone and free to all. Some may also include complimentary smoked salmon blinis and a crisp chardonnay.
Conservative Autumn Conference
7 – 10 October 2012, Birmingham
Sunday
Environment question time: Sustainable growth in harmony with the natural environment
Hosted by the RSPB, this event includes speakers Charles Clover, environment journalist, Sunday Times, Dr Mike Clarke, chief executive of the RSPB, and a Defra spokesperson.
18:30, Lodges 1,2 & 3, Austin Court
Monday
Getting the most out of the Green Deal: Changing the way we use energy in the home
Geoffrey Lean, environment editor, Daily Telegraph, chairs a panel discussion on the green deal. Speakers include: Gregory Barker MP, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, Thomas Heldgaard, managing director, Rockwool, Dr Richard Carmichael, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Group, Imperial College Business School, Guy Newey, head of environment and energy, Policy Exchange.
11:15, Room 102, Jurys Inn
Floods or drought? The water debate
Hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Water Group, Anne McIntosh MP, chairs a panel including Peter Simpson, managed director, Anglian Water, Russ Houlden, chief financial officer, United Utilities, Colin Skellett, executive chairman, Wessex Water, and Richard Flint, chief executive, Yorkshire Water.
12:45, Rooms 113/115/117, Jurys Inn
Growing pains: Can the politics of sustainability survive the economic downturn?
An as yet to be announced special guest chair and speakers including: Zac Goldsmith MP, Barbara Stocking, chief executive, Oxfam, David Nussbaum, chief executive, WWF, and Steve Kingshott, chief executive Flybe.
13:00, Room 111, Jurys Inn
Low carbon and lower bills: Can the circle be squared?
Chaired by Damian Carrington, head of environment at the Guardian. Speakers include: Matthew Hancock MP, Volker Beckers, chief executive RWE Npower, Simon Less, Policy Exchange, and Dr Pierre Noel, director, EPRG Energy Policy Forum, University of Cambridge.
14:15, Room 106, Jurys Inn
Tuesday
The future of UK aviation
Professor David Begg, chief executive, Transport Times, chairs a panel including: Stephen Hammond MP, Paul Kehoe, chief executive officer, Birmingham Airport, and Jonathan Williams, business manager, Cubic Transportation systems
08:00, Room 115 & 117, Jurys Inn
Why new atomic plant must be a coalition priority
Tim Knox, director, Centre for Policy Studies chairs a discussion on the future of the coalition’s nuclear policy. Advertised panelists include: Charles Hendry MP, Tony Lodge, Centre for Policy Studies, Alexey Kalinin, head of international business, Rosatom, and Stephen Tindale, co-founder Climate Answers, former director of Greenpeace UK.
13:00, Priestley, Novotel Birmingham Centre
Cleaner, quieter, smarter aviation: Can the industry deliver?
Philip Pank, The Times, chairs a discussion on the future of the aviation industry. Speakers include Matt Gorman, Sustainable Aviation, Dan Byles MP, and Guy Newey, Policy Exchange.
14:30, Room 116, Jurys Inn
How can we secure real green growth?
Policy Exchange and SITA UK host a discussion on the future of green growth. Chaired by James Murray, editor, Business Green, speakers include Owen Paterson MP, Guy Newey, head of environment and energy, Policy Exchange, David Palmer-Jones, chief executive SITA UK, and Professor George Yarrow, chairman, Regulatory Policy Institute.
17:15, Room 106, Jurys Inn
Thinking Radically: Should the Chancellor’s plan for growth include abolishing aviation tax?
Speaker including Greg Hands, MP, Darren Caplan, chief executive, Airport Operators’ Association, Luke Pollard, head of public affairs, Association of British Travel Agents, and Emma Boon, campaign director, Taxpayers Alliance, discuss the future of aviation fuel duty.
17:30, Room 116, Jurys Inn
If you find any other conference events that you think someone interested in climate or energy policy might appreciate, feel free to post links in the comments section below.