Online Zero Carbon Britain course exploring climate solutions – the science says we must, the technology says we can, time to say we will!
Working with a range of local Councils, the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) have developed a two day, interactive, online course offering an in-depth look at CAT’s flagship research project, Zero Carbon Britain. Connect with a network of others working and studying in the field and explore the radical changes needed to rise to the climate challenge.
*Please note that if you’re orgnaisation is a member of Scottish Communities Climate Action Network (SCCAN) you should reach out to them to ask for the promo code which will allow you to access a reduce rate for this training.
Key information
Duration: various sessions over two days
Upcoming dates:
Start and finish times: Day 1 – 09:30 (meeting open from 09:15) to 17:00 (offline task from 13.00 to 16.00), Day 2 – 09:30 to 17:00
Fees: waged – £75; low waged/Concession price – £50
Includes: tuition, question and answer sessions, online course materials
Terms and conditions
You must be 16 years or over to attend this course
What you will learn
CAT’s Zero Carbon Britain project offers the hard data and confidence required for visualising a future where we have risen to the demands of climate science. It helps to reduce fear and misunderstandings and open new, positive, solutions-focused conversations.
The new report published in 2019, Zero Carbon Britain: Rising to the Climate Emergency, incorporates the very latest developments in science and technology to show that we can create a zero carbon Britain using only proven technology.
During this two day course you will explore all aspects of climate solutions and scenarios presented in the research. Live lectures will cover a range of topics from renewable energy and energy efficiency to diets and land-use, looking at how these can work together to help us build a zero carbon future. Online workshops will enable discussion and debate among participants on catalysing action across all areas of society.
Some of the topics covered include:
How we can provide a reliable energy supply for the UK with 100% renewable energy sources and flexible carbon neutral back up – without fossil fuels, nuclear power, or gambling on the promise of future technology.
How we can grow the vast majority of the food we need for a healthy, low carbon diet, and manage our land to capture carbon, nurture biodiversity and increase the health and resilience of our ecosystems.
How we can deliver a modern lifestyle, create employment, improve our wellbeing, and ensure that the future we leave for our children and generations to come is safe and sustainable.
Understanding key barriers to change, and how we can overcome them – offering a range of other benefits in the process.
How research can be used to support councils in developing climate emergency action plans.
The live, interactive nature of this course will offer a rich online learning experience. To get the most out of the course, we suggest you:
Download the Zero Carbon Britain; Rising to the climate emergency, and read (at least) the 8-page executive summary and explore chapters relevant to your areas of work / expertise.
Make a note of key questions, reflections and ideas for going forwards.
Meet your tutors
Paul Allen
Paul is Knowledge and Outreach Coordinator for Zero Carbon Britain. He has been a member of the Wales Science Advisory Council (2010), board member of the International Forum for Sustainable Energy (2008) and a Climate Change Commissioner for Wales (2007). He holds an Honours degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering and has been at CAT since 1988.
Sonya Bedford
Sonya graduated from CAT’s renewable energy MSc in 2018 and is currently Head of Energy at Stephens Scown LLP. Sonya leads a team of solicitors specialising in energy policy and law. She advises industry on legal requirements for large scale renewable energy developments, including grid, infrastructure, policy, licensing and supply issues. She was awarded an MBE for services to community energy, along with a number of other environmental awards.
In 2020 Sonya was appointed to the CAT Board of trustees. She also sits on the board of five community energy groups and is one of the founders of the innovative and ambitious Zero Carbon Wedmore group.
Olivia Sweeney
Olivia Sweeney is a former Black and Green Ambassador for Bristol a community programme, exploring the intersection between climate and racial justice. She currently works as a consultant at Resource Futures, a sustainable waste consultancy using data to drive policy and behaviour change, to make it easier to reduce, reuse and recycle and helping to build the circular economy. She also works alongside the Royal Academy of Engineering promoting diversity and access to Engineering.
‘Intersectional Environmentalism’. Olivia will be presenting on the origins of the Black and Green Ambassador programme and why it was and is still needed. She will explore the importance of embedding equity and justice in conversations, plans and actions for the planet, may this be on a local or global scale. We will welcome the need for constant questioning when delivering change, looking beyond net zero and embracing the intersection of multiple factors including ethnicity and social justice.
Book now using this link. Please note that this event is run over two days, the 11th & 18th November, availability is required for the two days.