Virtual Climate Change Conference hailed a ‘success’
The Highland Council’s first online climate conference held on the 2 November 2020; allowed the public the opportunity to discuss regional, national and global responses to climate and ecological emergencies caused by climate change.
Attended by a large and diverse audience and offering the public access to 30 guest speakers - the conference was split into four themes:
- Biodiversity and habitat,
- The bigger picture looking at national and international policy and sustainability targets,
- Personal responsibility and
- The green recovery.
Members of the public, local community groups and council staff contributed video content which enriched the range of speakers and workshops provided on the day.
Almost all of the 200 workshop tickets were allocated which was a positive sign of the demand from Highland residents to embrace change and decrease their impact on the planet.
Chair of the Climate Change Working Group, Cllr Trish Robertson said: “The high volume of attendance at both the conference and the workshops is a key indicator of the success of this event and that those living and working in the highland region are engaged and focused on making positive climate and ecological change. The overall agreement of the day was that people welcomed the opportunity to attend classes and workshops that would enable them to gain better ‘know-how’ of the daily changes they could make to lowering their carbon footprint.”
Joe Perry - Climate Change Coordinator and conference organiser thanked Highland Councillors for their contribution to the successful delivery of the workshops at the conference and also to the Council’s Corporate Communications team for their technical delivery of the online conference.
Joe said: “The climate change team are delighted that the day ran smoothly, turning to an online conference brought about challenges, however it also opened opportunity for wider regional participation whilst delivery the conference in a low-carbon way.”