The SSN Annual Conference
The Sustainable Scotland Network hosts one of the most respected and well-attended sustainable development conferences in Scotland. SSN's Annual Conference is delivery and discussion focussed, providing an opportunity for practitioners to share ideas and take them back to their authorities.
See below for information on this year's conference, and for past conference themes and materials.
SSN Conference 2010: A Step Change - Local Government Leadership for a Low Carbon Economy
Registration is open for the ninth annual Sustainable Scotland Network Conference, which will take place on Thursday 4 November at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.
Visit the SSN Conference 2010 website.
The SSN Conference is highly valued by local government. Last year's annual conference attracted a capacity audience of 260+. In a post-conference survey to delegates, 67% rated the conference overall as very good and 29% rated it as good.
About the Event:
- The conference will detail the implications of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act Public Bodies Duty, due to come into force on 1 January 2011. It will also explore the implications of new key national documents, due to be published in October/November 2010: the Scottish Government's Report on Proposals and Policies for meeting annual emissions targets, and the Low Carbon Economy Strategy.
- The conference will highlight why it is vital for local government to provide leadership in Scotland's transition to becoming a low carbon economy. It will also explore the challenges and opportunities in enacting a "step change in pace" on our work on climate change at a time of financial austerity.
- The conference will feature seminars on: the Sustainable Glasgow initiative, reducing corporate emissions, low carbon housing, sustainable transport, and engaging communities in the transition to a low carbon economy.
- Confirmed speakers include: John Swinney MSP, Lady Susan Rice (Managing Director Lloyds Banking Group Scotland/2020 Delivery Group), Sue Bruce (Chief Executive, Aberdeen City Council), David Wilson (Director of the Energy Directorate, Scottish Government) and Cllr Alison Hay (COSLA Regeneration and Sustainability Spokesperson).
SSN Conference 2009: Sustainable Economic Growth & the Agenda for Scottish Local Authorities
Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, 29 October 2009.
The eighth annual SSN conference,Sustainable Economic Growth and the Agenda for Scottish Local Authorities, brought together leading politicians, academics and representatives from public, private and voluntary sectors to debate the concept of sustainable economic growth and the practicalities of a transition to a low carbon economy.
For more information, go to the: SSN Conference 2009 website.
SSN Conference 2008: Accounting for Sustainable Development
Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, 13-14 November 2008
The aim of the SSN 2008 conference was to equip participants with the tools and knowledge to tackle the challenge of climate change head-on and to use financial mechanisms to put Councils on the road to sustainable development.
For more information go to the SSN Conference 2008 website.
SSN Conference 2007: Local Government & Climate Change: Your How to Guide.
Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, 8-9 November 2007
SSN's 2007 Conference focussed on the role of Scottish local authorities in delivering climate change mitigation and adaptation. Local Government & Climate Change: Your How to Guide generated discussion, debate and resolution around cutting-edge questions such as carbon accounting, carbon neutrality, local climate impacts and climate-friendly procurement.
For more information go to the SSN Conference 2007 website
SSN Conference 2006: Planning Solutions for a Sustainable Scotland
Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, 26-27 November 2006
SSN's 2006 Annual Conference focussed on the role of the planning system in delivering sustainable solutions. Profiles of the new National Planning Framework and case studies from Copenhagen to China provided rich material for discussion.
An overview of the conference material can be found here: SSN Conference 2006 Programme. The conference is summarised in the following article: SSN article for The Planner
Listen to the 2006 SSN Annual Conference
SSN Conference 2005: Achieving More, Using Less: Sustainable Production & Consumption
On 27-28 October 2005 many of Scotland's local authorities, along with representatives from other public sector, voluntary, private sector organisations met at the Sustainable Scotland Network annual conference in Stirling to learn how to make Scotland more sustainable in what it consumes. Key speakers included: Prof. Tim Jackson (Sustainable Development Commission) & Mathis Wackernagel (Chief Executive, Global Footprints Network). Download the SSN Conference 2005 Programme
To access presentations from the 2005 Conference, please contact anna.hunter@ksbscotland.org.uk.