A round up of the SSN Conference
On 8 December SSN hosted ‘COP26...What now?’, a fully packed conference designed to support building public sector capacity to deliver on net zero. With around 350 people registered, the interactive event welcomed a fantastic line-up of industry experts, post COP26, who addressed the many challenges and opportunities in achieving net zero and ensuring a just transition.
Addressing public sector climate challenges
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, kicked off the event, outlining the public sector’s crucial role in ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change and the valuable position of the SSN in facilitating collaboration. Keynote speaker, Chris Stark, Chief Executive, Climate Change Committee updated delegates on the recently published report, Progress reducing emissions in Scotland, followed by a Q+A.
Delegates also joined two panel discussions that explored Public Sector Climate Leadership and Investing in a Just Transition towards Net Zero and Carbon Resilience. Questions were welcomed from the floor and explored in depth by panellists as they aimed to bring to light and address key queries post COP26.
Highlighting public sector leadership and reporting
During the first plenary session, Gavin Barrie, Energy & Climate Change Directorate at the Scottish Government, discussed the new guidance published in partnership with the SSN, designed to support public bodies in tackling the global climate emergency. The Public Sector Leadership on the Global Climate Emergency Guidance highlights policy areas, action plans, and targets of key importance and outlines the requirement for bodies to ensure that they reach climate change reporting duties.
Understanding public sector challenges and identifying actions
Delegates participated in collaborative workshops addressing key challenges and actions affecting the public sector in their journey to net zero. Led by experts from across the sector, attendees explored topics such as setting and meeting targets, nature-based sequestration on public land and skills for a transition to net zero.
Event resources
- Watch: COP26 and Public Sector Climate Action: What Now? [Link]
- Watch: Investing in Net Zero Action [Link]
- SSN Conference Evaluation [Link]
- Event Programme [Link]
We will be sharing a Conference Summary in the New Year ahead of SSN’s annual planning meeting in January.