First Sustainability Conference Announced
Winchester City Council is set to host its inaugural Sustainability Conference, ‘Routes to Carbon Neutrality, to inspire action among local residents, businesses, students and interested groups and update them on how the council and partners are tackling climate change together.
The virtual conference will be held on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 October during Winchester Green Week (27 September to 4 October), a festival which aims to highlight how the district is moving towards more sustainable ways of living.
City Councillors will be joined by guest speakers including Chris Goodall, author of ‘What we need to do now’ and ‘How to live a low-carbon life’; Head of Sustainability at Marwell Zoo, Dr Duncan East; Maggie Shelton from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Professor Bakr Bahaj from the University of Southampton, who will explore a variety of topics such as transport, energy and local threats.
Individuals can register to as many of the four sessions across the two day conference as they like for free and will have the opportunity to join in a live Q&A on each topic.
Cllr Lynda Murphy, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, said:
“We want to inspire people of all ages across our district to take action and play their part in tackling the climate crisis. Now, more than ever, we must work together as residents, businesses, community groups and campaigners and step up our efforts. We have ambitious plans to become a carbon neutral district by 2030 so that we can protect the natural world around us and create a bright and sustainable future for generations to come.
“Our first Sustainability Conference will provide a great platform to work collaboratively, make positive changes and inspire sustainable living, working and travelling.”
The conference will be made up of the following sessions:
Thursday 1 October, 10am
National and local perspectives: Chris Goodall, author of What we need to do now and Maggie Shelton, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Thursday 1 October, 2pm
Net zero carbon buildings: Winchester City Council with Paul Phasey, Architecture PLB
Friday 2 October, 10am
Transport: Paul Walker, Go South Coast and Megan Streb, Sustrans – a walking and cycling charity
Friday 2 October, 2:30pm
Energy: Professor Bakr Bahaj, University of Southampton and Dr Duncan East, Head of Sustainability at Marwell Zoo
To register for free, visit www.winchester.gov.uk/sustainability-conference-2020