Carbon Brief’s pick of the Climate and Energy events at the Lib Dem Conference
With the Lib Dem conference upon us, and a motion tabled calling on the party to support the Committee on Climate Change’s proposed target that the UK’s power sector should be ‘virtually decarbonised’ by 2030, we’ve put together a list of the interesting looking climate and energy fringe events taking place this weekend in sunny Brighton.
If like us you haven’t shelled out for a pass, don’t panic – these events are outside of the security zone and free to all. Some may also include complimentary access to some small triangular sandwiches and orange juice.
Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference
22 – 26 September, Brighton
Saturday
Fracking and the second dash for gas
A Friends of the Earth sponsored event. The blurb says “For some, shale gas is a panacea for Britain’s energy challenges. But another dash for gas would bust our climate targets, and wreak havoc on local landscapes.” Friends of the Earth, an MP and a local anti-fracking group speaking.
20:15, Ashdown suite, Holiday Inn
Sunday
To frack or not to frack?
This event, organised by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society, asks what the risks and benefits are of shale gas extraction in the UK.
13:00, Lancaster suite, Hilton Metropole
Rethinking fossil fuels
Editor in Chief of PoliticsHome, Paul Waugh, and Andrew George MP, discuss whether new technologies can allow the clean use of fossil fuels.
18:15, Ambassador suite, Hilton Metropole
Why Lib Dems are right about nuclear – and renewables are the solution
Friends of the Earth invite Simon Hughes MP, Fiona Hall MEP, Dr Doug Parr of Greenpeace and Dr David Toke to discuss whether it’s “time for an energy policy Plan B”.
18:15, Ashdown Suite, Holiday Inn
Building a green economy: The case for new energy infrastructure
The New Statesman and the Energy Networks Association invite secretary of state for energy and climate change Edward Davey MP to present the case for a “new energy infrastructure”.
19:15, Renaissance South, Thistle Hotel
Monday
Green of growth – can we have both?
Dods Sustainable Transport Dialogue invite Norman Baker MP, Sandeep Shingadia, sustainability and programmes manager, Claire Haigh, chief executive of Greener Journeys and Stephen Joseph from Campaign for Better Transport, to discuss the compatibility of “green and growth” in the er, Osborne suite.
13:00, Osborne suite, Hilton Metropole
Growing pains: Can the politics of sustainability survive the economic downturn?
Speakers include: Tessa Munt MP, Sharon Bowles MEP, Phil Bloomer, director of the Campaigns and Policy Division, David Norman, director of campaigns at WWF and Steve Kingshott, CEO of renewable energy at RSA Insurance.
13:00, Surrey 1, Hilton Metropole
How can we secure real green growth?
James Murray from BusinessGreen chairs this Policy Exchange debate exploring the policies required to drive green investment and effectively harness the low carbon economy as a source of green growth. Speakers include: Lord Teverson, Professor Paul Ekins from UCL energy institute, environment and energy research fellow at Policy Exchange Simon Moore, CEO of SITA UK David Palmer-Jones and chairman of Regulatory Policy Institute Professor George Yarrow.
13:00, Gresham suite, The Old Ship Hotel
Energy – can the market be truly competitive?
The Institute for Public Policy Research in collaboration with Which? invite Steve Gilbert MP, Erin Gill and Which? executive director Richard Lloyd to discuss the energy market.
18:15, The library, Hilton Metropole
Tuesday
Where the wind blows: harvesting the power of wind
MPs and stakeholders come together to discuss the viability of wind power in the UK. Speakers include Benj Sykes, UK operations director, DONG Energy, and Maf Smith, deputy chief executive, Renewable UK.
13:00, Osborne suite, Hilton Metropole
Low carbon and lower bills: can the circle be squared?
Chaired by Damian Carrington, head of environment at the Guardian. Speakers include: Stephen Gilbert MP, Guy Johnson, director of regulation, RWE Npower, Simon Moore, environment and energy research fellow, Policy Exchange, and Dr Michael Pollitt, assistant director Electricity Policy Research Group.
13:00, Tudor suite, The Old Ship Hotel
Flagship green policy: Green deal or green gamble?
Speakers Duncan Hames MP, Dave Sowden from Micropower Council and Pete Moorey from Which? discuss the coalition flagship policy.
18:15 – 19:30, Hilton Metropole
The big energy debate
CentreForum and British Gas host a panel discussion on UK energy policy chaired by Tim Leunig, chief economist at CentreForum. Panel members include British Gas chief exec Phil Bentley, secretary of state for energy and climate change Edward Davey and Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.
18:15, Lancaster suite, Hilton Metropole
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.