Today Gordon Brown stated that the UK's emission target of a 60% cut by 2050 could be increased to 80% in his first speech on the environment as the Prime Minister. The Scottish Parliament has already proposed an 80% carbon reduction target and this news, while not as progressive as many had hoped, was welcomed by the organisers of the Scottish Energy & Environment Conference (SEEC) as they announced the 2008 conference agenda.

The event is to be held on the 5th February at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow and it focuses entirely on solutions that can help organisations reduce carbon emissions, increase efficiency and improve the environment. In particular the event will showcase the latest products and services in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, environmental management, safety, health and environment and general technical innovation. SEEC will play a crucial role in the development of a low carbon economy in Scotland, the UK and beyond.

SEEC Organiser, Vicki Washington, commented: “It has been a busy week on the climate change front with the Prime Minister’s announcements, energy experts saying the world must develop carbon capture to fight climate change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change agreeing that the consequences of global warming could be ‘irreversible’. SEEC is a crucial part of the solution and it is one of the most successful exhibition, conferencing and networking events for suppliers and buyers of energy and environmental technologies. We will also be announcing the winners of the SEEC 2008 Energy & Environmental Awards – entries are now open for both the Carbon Trust Scottish Low Carbon Building Award and the ScottishPower Energy Award for businesses that have implemented new renewable technologies. All the details can be found through here.

The Herald’s Policy Editor, Alf Young is chairing the conference and will be setting the scene in terms of the likely impacts and opportunities that climate change will create for business in Scotland in the future.

Ian Marchant, Chief Executive of Scottish & Southern Energy will focus on providing the energy people need in a reliable and sustainable way. Ian will explain how to balance the creation of shareholder value while emphasising sustainability and achieving growth while safeguarding the environment. Ian Marchant will be followed by a range of speakers covering topics such as the built environment, renewable energy, profiting from a low carbon economy and examples of best practice and action that can be taken in the region.

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