University of Strathclyde: Net zero industrial policy exchange to be hosted at Strathclyde
An international policy exchange, bringing together governments and industry in the pursuit of net zero, is to be hosted at the University of Strathclyde.
Strathclyde’s European Policies Research Centre (EPRC) is to host the Net Zero Industrial Cluster Exchange, which will share policy, practice and learning on the transformation of industrial clusters and sites to net zero uses.
The Exchange is being supported by the Scottish Government and tyre manufacturing company Michelin. It was announced by Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Economy Kate Forbes during an online COP26 side event on net zero, co-organised by EPRC.
EPRC is a recognised European leader for its policy research on regional economic development and related policy areas. including the energy transition in Europe.
The Centre’s Co-Director, Professor John Bachtler, said: “We have great pleasure in becoming the hosts of the Net Zero Industrial Cluster Exchange, which will play a significant part in informing and enhancing the policies which will govern the global transition to net zero, while ensuring it is a just transition that creates new, good green employment.”
“Policy-makers and industries are at the very forefront of the worldwide efforts to secure net zero. Industries require new practices and resources to ensure they fulfil their role in this, while it is for policy-makers to implement informed, effective policies that will guide and support them in doing so.
“Our experienced and highly-qualified team at EPRC are ideally placed to bring them, and other stakeholders, together for this purpose. The current COP26 conference in Glasgow has vividly illustrated the urgency of putting in place the right policies at the right time to achieve the net zero balance.”
The Transforming Industrial Clusters and Sites to a Net Zero Future event discussed international industry and government perspectives on the themes to be explored by the Net Zero Industrial Cluster Exchange. Along with Ms Forbes, Michelin Group CEO Florent Menegaux was a keynote speaker, while other speakers and chairs included Greig Coull, CEO of Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, Iris Rieth of IN4climate.NRW,Jörg Dehmel of Shell REFHYNE, Narve Mjøs of the Norwegian Green Shipping Programme, Reijo Väliharu of the Hiedenranta net zero district in Finland, Linda Hanna, MD Scottish Economic Development with Scottish Enterprise and Sarah Thiam, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.