You can submit your comments via this online survey

We have been  participating in the East Lothian Environment Forum which has worked with East Lothian Council to draft this policy. It is pretty concise and readable so please do take this opportunity to read and comment on it.  It will play an important role in the shaping policy at the East Lothian level which in turn will be crucial in enabling the creation of the low carbon locally resilient future which we are working for.

Energy Efficient Bulb

Friday 18th June 2010

The Space Theatre, Dundee College, Old Glamis Road, Dundee

Solar Cities Scotland Conference 2010, 18th June 2010 at The Space, Dundee College.

Building Powerful Communities

Scotland has some of the most ambitious carbon reduction targets in the world which, along with the complexities that urban communities face, provides challenges as well as great opportunities for positive change. Solar Cities Scotland’s 5th annual conference will look to highlight these opportunities and provide a pedestal for sharing best practice on how current policies and real projects are making low carbon living in our cities a reality.

As in previous years, Solar Cities Scotland has lined up an exciting and inspirational range of speakers to encourage thinking and debate.

Cost: £15 per ticket

To book your place at “Building Powerful Communities” please visit www.solarcitiesscotland.org.uk and complete our online registration form.

Solar Cities Scotland are hoping to beat last year’s delegate to car ratio of 5-1. Register your journey to the conference using the Dundee Lift Share website and maybe you can share a lift.

http://www.liftshare.com/sub/2675

Welcome from Dundee City Council by the Lord Provost John Letford

Callum Wilson, Forth Energy, on developing sustainable energy solutions

Alan Beddie, Community Energy Scotland,  highlights the opportunities for sustainable energy development to  create confidence, resilience and wealth in the communities of Scotland.

Ian Cuthbert, Mircogeneration Advice manager at the Energy Savings Trust introduces the UK’s Feed-in-Tariff scheme which aims to incentivise the take up of low carbon electricity generating technologies (solar electricity, wind turbines etc).

Sharon Bain, Solar Cities Scotland, outlines the merits of the Sustainable Energy Promotion Scheme which aims to help get Dundee residents on the road to low carbon living

Alistair Macleod coordinator of Solar Cities Scotland’s Community Carbon Exchange explains the aims and progress of this community led carbon reduction project.

Ian Treanor, Dundee Energy Efficiency and Advice Project, speaks on the activities and successes of this leading local authority based scheme.

Tom Morton, Director of Transition Town North Howe, leads a call for action in the face of peak oil and rising energy prices.

Simon Gooden, Going Carbon Neutral Stirling, tells ‘the story so far’. The theory, practice and achievements of one of Scotland’s most exciting community engagement projects.

Justin Kenrick, St Andrews University, tackles the question of how to re-energise communities in the struggle to reduce carbon emission, prepare for peak oil and deal with economic meltdown. How can communities take action, and what support do they need from local and national government to help?

Chris Ashe, Dundee College, provides an insight into how other European countries are tackling the move to sustainable energy for urban communities .

Professor Gokay Deveci, The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment – Aberdeen, speaks on his work to design and build low cost sustainable houses in Scotland including Scotlands first Passive House

The day will also see workshops investigating the contribution of strategic, community and individual led action to tackle carbon emissions in the urban realm.

Workshop Titles – Choose one session

1. Big energy – big opportunities

How can big energy meet the needs of the urban community. What are the barriers and the opportunities?

2. Changing minds

How can individuals be encouraged to live a low carbon lifestyle?

3. Powering Communities

What tools, partnerships and incentives would enable communities to create their own low carbon future?

To Book your place at “Building Powerful Communities” please complete the registration form at

www.solarcitiesscotland.org.uk

Day 1 will be in the Parish Halls, Glasgow and Day 2 at the Victoria Halls, Dunblane (next to the train station).

Day 2 (19th June) is about sustainable gardening and sessions will be chaired by MSPs Jim Tolson and Shirley-Anne Somerville. Topics will include fruit trees on allotments, bumblebees, beekeeping, wine-making and growing prize vegetables. There will be stroll to Dunblane Allotments, and the day will be rounded off with a get together in a local hostelry. Although the conference is free (apart from a donation for lunch) registration is necessary.

Newsletter3page1[1]

newsletter3page2[1]

The Sustaining Dunbar information leaflet containing the times of all the new trains can be downloaded here.

Add yours!

As it happens, the organisers have now responded and only asked us to present a short session based on the food abstract but we will work some of the more general findings into this.