Heriot-Watt to host UN conference

Heriot-Watt University has won the race to host the UN’s latest environment program conference.

The ‘Green New Deal’ event will be held at the University’s conference centre in January 2011, addressing the Scottish Government’s desire to collaborate with international bodies in furthering the green revolution.

The annual event, run by the United Nations Environment Program and the European Energy Centre (EEC), will be attended by high-profile delegates and speakers from around the world to discuss the opportunities that lie in the future of renewable energy.

Discussions will centre on opportunities for companies to expand in the renewable energy market, company requirements to cut carbon emissions and the investment potential for both the economy and the environment.

Lynne Geary, commercial operations manager at HWU’s conference centre, said: “This event includes speakers from Heriot-Watt University on the subject of the environment and renewable energy. Scotland is already making significant strides in embracing renewable energy and developing new technologies to do so. It is fitting that such a prestigious conference is coming to Scotland and we are delighted to be hosting it.”

Several affiliates of HWU will be participating in the conference. Professor John Wilson will be speaking on alternative energy sources while Dr Peter Kew will be discussing government subsidies and European regulations on green energy.

Architectural engineering lecturer, Professor Susan Roaf, who will be talking about low-carbon building technologies, told The Journal: “We’re delighted to be hosting the conference because it’s a combination of two directions. We need big international agreements so obviously anything with the UN cache is extremely important. It gives a high-level policy angle to what we do at Heriot-Watt University.

“We’re also looking for bottoms-up solutions, which the professions represented at the conference will start to develop together.

"At HWU we are very keen to help Scotland lead the carbon enlightenment. This gives us an opportunity to stand up on a world stage and say this is where you are, and this is what we’re doing.”

Academics from both Edinburgh Napier and the University of Edinburgh will also be speaking at the conference.