At the Limit? 2020 Climate Group Seminar

On 6th February 2013 the Public Engagement Sub Group of the 2020 Climate Group held the first in a series of public engagement seminars which have been created to offer spaces for new conversations around some of the more challenging issues facing Scotland in regards to climate change.

This first seminar addressed the economic, environmental and social impacts speed limits have on our low carbon ambitions. Is the “need for speed” at odds with our vision for a low carbon Scotland? Do we need to put the brakes on to reduce emissions?

The event explored the wider issues around a measure that could help reduce Scotland’s carbon output e.g potential impacts on health, road traffic accidents etc. We hope the debate will open up the larger and more complex discussions that are too often missing from mainstream media coverage.

The purpose was for the event to be lively and engaging, with a wide, mixed and participative audience. The format took the style of some “quick fire” inputs from a panel of high profile key speakers, before moving on to an open forum.

The seminar included inputs from:

• Dr Andy Kerr of The Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation – who presented key findings from the ECCI report on speed limits produced for the 2020 Climate Group
• Phil Flanders, Director of Road Haulage Association Scotland and Northern Ireland – who addressed the economic impacts speed limits have within the freight industry and business sector
• Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of Royal Scottish Geographical Society and member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland – who explored the wider issues around transport in Scotland
• Ed Gillespie, the provocative co-founder of Futerra, the sustainability communications agency – who addressed the social and cultural context around reduced speeds and our love of cars.

Video and Presentations

Full video of the event, including Q&A:

Presentation from Dr Andy Kerr, ECCI

Presentation from Phil Flanders, Road Hauliers Association of Scotland and NI

Presentation from Mike Robinson, RGS/Stop Climate Chaos Scotland

Presentation from Ed Gillespie, Director, Futerra: