The UNITAR affiliated training centre at Findhorn added to its successful series of training events with a seminar on 18th and 19th September that attracted delegates from as far afield as Norway and Nigeria.

Scotland and the United Kingdom were well represented too with participants from a wide range of organisations and business sectors including councils such as Clackmannanshire and West Lothian: numerous individuals involved with planning, building, policy, development and social enterprise; universities including the University of East London and the University of Birmingham: tourism such as the Outer Hebrides Tourism Industry and the Cairngorms National Park Authority; alternative energy projects like Dervaig Wind Farm; housing associations including Lochalsh & Skye as well as researchers and journalists.

In the context of recent key scientific findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which involved more than 1,200 authors and more than 2,500 reviewers from the climate science community in more than 130 countries, the 2- day training session explored technical, economic and political ways to regulate human activities and reduce the threat of global climate change.

Specific topics included Global Climate Change: The Evidence - Dr Gary Campbell, Lecturer at Moray College UHI; Global Climate Change: The Sustainable Energy Revolution - Alex Walker, Director of Findhorn Wind Park Ltd; Global Climate Change: The Empowerment of Communities Towards Renewable Energy Sourcing and Production - Nicholas Gubbins, Chief Executive with HICEC; Global Climate Change:Enforcing Change by Regulation - Donald Lunan, Planning and Development Manager with the Moray Council: Global Climate Change: Scotland Taking the Lead - Sue Kerns, Head Of Renewable Energy and Consents Policy, Scottish Executive and Global Climate Change: Financing the New Technologies – Peter Borges, Loan Manager, Triodos Bank.

Participants at the seminar had the opportunity to explore new solutions, compare new techniques and exchange ideas as well as making business and development agency contacts. They also had a chance to discuss projects with practitioners already working in the field of renewable energy.

Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy & Tourism who addressed the seminar via a live conference link, applauded the pioneering work undertaken at Findhorn Ecovillage. He promised that The Scottish Government would play its part by working together with local development agencies, environmental groups and a wide range of stakeholders. The MSP went on to say that he believed Scotland really can make a difference and that The Scottish Government’s target will be an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

He stated that the decisions which are made now will have an impact for years to come. Secure energy supplies at affordable prices are needed for both individuals and business. He confirmed that clean renewable technology that will protect and respect the Scottish environment has to be made available.

He re-iterated that climate change is the single greatest challenge for the planet and the importance of taking action sooner rather than later.

A highlight of the seminar was a talk “Preventing Dangerous Climate Change” delivered by Aubrey Meyer, the world’s foremost climate change expert. His invitation to address the seminar followed on from widespread recognition for his contribution to the debate on global warming, in particular for his science-based policy framework ‘Contraction and Convergence’ .

In addition to core course activities, participants had the opportunity to visit the Findhorn wind park and solar panel factory and to see at first hand examples of sustainable living.

A follow-up evaluation of the event indicated that, on average, some 70% of those questioned rated all features of the seminar good or very good. Participants found the opportunity to network and make contact with other delegates one of the most useful aspects of the seminar. Likewise, the opportunity for interaction and debate with the speakers throughout the seminar was highly scored.