2 November 2009
New paper sets out ways to adapt to a post-oil Scotland
'Oil crunch' event at Edinburgh University, Tuesday 3rd November
Transform Scotland [1] has today (Tuesday 3rd) published a new paper, 'Peak Oil and Transport', which sets out some of the measures the transport sector should take to prepare itself for the challenges of oil depletion. [2]
The paper will be launched at an event, 'The Oil Crunch: Transport, Energy and Oil Security', being held jointly with The University of Edinburgh at the University's Informatics Forum this evening. [3] The event features Jeremy Leggett, Founder and Executive Chairman of Solarcentury, and Steven Stewart, Director of Corporate Communications of Stagecoach Group. [4] [5] The event intends to create an awareness of the coming crisis of oil depletion, and focus in particular on how the transport sector in Scotland should be planning to adapt.
The paper calls for:
* Heightened awareness of the challenges of Peak Oil
* Contingency planning to tackle disruptions to oil supply
* Land use planning policies to favour 'localisation'
* The re-prioritisation of transport expenditure to favour the more sustainable modes
* A concentration on sustainable automotive technology for the public transport sector.
Colin Howden, Director of Transform Scotland, said:
"Peak Oil will mean big changes in where and how we live. But, if the right decisions are taken swiftly, it could also provide opportunities for Scottish industry.
"We believe that efforts should be made to establish Scotland as a centre of excellence in sustainable automotive technology for the public transport sector. Scotland hasn't made cars for decades – so it would appear a forlorn hope to expect us to become a leader in electric cars. However, we are home to Britain’s largest bus manufacturer in Alexander Dennis, and two of the world’s largest public transport operators in FirstGroup and Stagecoach. We want Scotland to build on this home-grown experience and take the lead in developing sustainable automotive technology for all forms of public transport: buses, trams, trains and ferries. We need to see the development and commercialisation of all forms of sustainable transport technologies that have a chance of helping us reduce the transport sector’s oil dependence."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] Transform Scotland
Transform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups - see <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/our-members.aspx> for details.
[2] 'Peak Oil and Transport' briefing
This is available for download at <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/GetFile.aspx?ItemId=48>.
[3] 'The Oil Crunch: Transport, Energy and Oil Security' event
See <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/the-oil-crunch.aspx> for details.
The event is free, but space is limited so advanced booking is required. Please book your place by emailing your name & contact details to <events@transformscotland.org.uk> or call Helen Todd at Transform Scotland on 0131 243 2692.
Event programme:
17.30 Registration.
18.00 Introductory remarks by Iain Macwhirter, Rector of The University of Edinburgh.
18.10 Jeremy Leggett: 'The peak oil debate: an on-going mega-risk confrontation'.
18.35 Steven Stewart: 'Oil depletion: a wake-up call for Scotland's transport system'.
19.00 Question & Answer session, chaired by Iain Macwhirter
19.30 Close, followed by wine reception.
The event will be at the University of Edinburgh, Informatics Forum, 10 Crichton Street, EH8 9AB. Map at <http://www.ed.ac.uk/maps/buildings/informatics-forum>. Directions at <http://www.transport.ed.ac.uk>.
[4] Jeremy Leggett biography
Social entrepreneur Jeremy Leggett is founder and Executive Chairman of Solarcentury, a leading European solar energy company, and founder and Chairman of SolarAid, a charity set up with Solarcentury profits. He is a also a founding director of the world's first private equity investment fund for renewables, run by Bank Sarasin (New Energies Invest AG, 2000-present). Along the way he has written and edited several books, including The Carbon War (1999) and Half Gone (2005).
In a first career as a geologist, he researched the history of oceans, explored for oil, and worked on oil source rocks funded by BP and Shell among others (1978-89, while on the faculty at Imperial College). Increasingly worried by global warming, he left to become an environmental campaigner (1989-1996, with Greenpeace International), during which time he won the US Climate Institute's Award for Advancing Understanding.
Coming to the view that successful green businesses were badly needed in the global struggle to cut greenhouse-gas emissions, he set up Solarcentury, which has expanded into the fastest-growing UK private energy company of any sort, according to the 2008 Sunday Times Tech Track 100. The company has won multiple awards for innovation and sustainability, and become a magnet for talent.
Leggett, described in the Observer as "Britain's most respected green energy boss," is convenor of the UK Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security (ITPOES), members of which include Virgin, Scottish and Southern, Arup, and Yahoo.
[5] Steven Stewart biography
Director of Corporate Communications with Stagecoach Group plc, a leading international transport company with extensive bus and rail operations in the UK and North America. A former journalist, he has 20-years' experience in media and communications both in the public and private sector. Steven is a member of the Group's business development team and environment strategy working group. He has worked closely with Chief Executive Brian Souter and other senior executives in driving forward Stagecoach's sustainability strategy and marketing the company's greener, smarter travel services. Steven was a contributor to the first report of the UK Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security (ITPOES). Outside work, Steven also follows a football team in green from Glasgow.
END OF NEWS RELEASE