Cop26: Sustainable Futures

Cop26: Sustainable Futures
-

This is a past event

A series of expert-led online panel discussions exploring topics such as renewable energy, transport, climate change and net-zero.

Cop26: Sustainability Futures is a series of four online interactive panel discussions being delivered by the University of Aberdeen to coincide with Cop26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Each session is based on a specific theme of Cop26 and brings together experts from academia and industry to discuss how research in climate change, sustainability and energy transition can help deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Seizing the Massive Opportunities of Cheaper Renewables and Storage

11am-12pm, 29 October, 2021

Watch the recording

  • Prof Russell McKenna (Chair), School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen
  • Prof Paul Dodds, UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources
  • Henry Jeffrey, Head of Policy and Innovation Group, University of Edinburgh
  • Magnus Harrold, Innovation Manager, ORE Catapult
  • Dr Astley Hastings, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen
  • Prof Beth Scott School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen

Accelerating the Move to Zero-Carbon Road Transport

3pm-4pm, 11 November

Watch the recording

  • Dr Alfonso Martinez-Felipe (Chair) School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen
  • John Birtwistle, Head of Policy, FirstGroup
  • Dr Caitlin Cottrill, School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen
  • Dr Astley Hastings, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen
  • Dr Kathryn Logan, University of Arizona
  • David Rodger, CEO, Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group
  • Eric Rueder, Sales Development Manager, Dräger

Helping People, Economies and the Environment Adapt and Prepare for the Impacts of Climate Change

11am-12pm, 26 November

Watch the recording

  • Prof Tavis Potts (Chair), Interim Director, Center for Energy Transition, University of Aberdeen
  • Dr John Bone, Interim Director of Social Inclusion and Cultural Diversity University of Aberdeen
  • Prof David Burslem, Interim Director, Interim Director for Environment and Biodiversity, University of Aberdeen
  • Dr Alice Hague, The James Hutton Institute
  • Prof Jennie Macdiarmid, Interim Director, Interim Director of Health, Nutrition and Wellbeing Challenges, University of Aberdeen

Safeguarding Ecosystems, Protecting Natural Habitats and Keeping Carbon out of the Atmosphere

11am-12pm, 10 December 2021

Watch the recording 

  • Prof David Burslem (Chair), School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen
  • Prof David Coomes, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge: Forests as nature-based climate solutions
  • Dr Ruth Mitchell, The James Hutton Institute: Tree planting – does it increase carbon storage?
  • Dr Marion Pfeifer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University - Opportunities and constraints for climate change mitigation and adaption in rural crop production landscapes
  • Prof Pete Smith, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen - Nature-based solutions to tackle climate change
  • Dr Neda Trifonova, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen - Future of Our Oceans: Ecosystems Approach