Towards Net Zero: Adapting to Scotland’s changing resources landscape
The Scottish Resources Conference 2021 considered the role of net zero in the evolving landscape of Scotland’s resources sector and ask what this means for both the country’s resources and the country itself.
With targets to meet net zero by 2045 ‘at the latest’, the UK’s exit from the EU, prolonged disruption caused by COVID-19, and a growing public call to ‘build back greener’, Scotland must mobilise.
This virtual event considered the country’s plans for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), including updates on its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and its impending landfill ban. It will look at how the Scottish government intends to take forward its ‘plastic tax’, the possible shape of its Circular Economy Bill, and the longer-term pathway to transform Scotland into a circular economy.
Our panellists, expert speakers and government representatives discussed what’s next in the face of these changes and ask what this means in the context of Scotland’s net zero planning.
Day 1:
Introduction and Welcome
- Ray Georgeson MBE – Head of Resource Management, Waste & Recycling, Zero Waste Scotland
Keynotes – The Big Picture
In this session we will outline the evidence supporting the recommendations being made by the Climate Change Committee and the decisions around climate Scotland faces in its journey towards achieving net zero by 2045.
- Prof Dave Reay – Director, Policy and Chair of the Directorate – ClimateXChange
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Marcus Gover – CEO, WRAP
The acceleration of the climate emergency has intensified the focus on the impacts of carbon, and the Scottish Government has committed to reducing emissions by 75% by 2030 and to be net zero by 2045. In this session we look at the waste and resources sector’s achievement, to date, and consider what more needs to be done to maximise the sector’s contribution to the net zero pathway.
Session chair: Ray Georgeson MBE – Head of Resource Management, Waste & Recycling, Zero Waste Scotland
Speakers –
- John Ferguson – RMAS
- Michael Cook – CEO, Community Resources Network Scotland
- Jon Molyneux – Scottish Affairs Lead, Fareshare