February 1, 2012 1.37 pm This story is over 144 months old

Low Carbon Lincoln conference to brainstorm green challenges

Cutting emissions: City conference to bring local businesses and authorities together to figure out ways to lower CO2 emissions.

The City Council installed the first public electric car charging point in Lincoln in the Lucy Tower car park

Lincolnshire businesses and local authorities will meet at the Low Carbon Lincoln conference in March to brainstorm ideas to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.

Lincoln emits in excess of half a million tonnes of carbon every year, and the City of Lincoln Council is producing 2,062 tonnes of emissions.

Councillor Fay Smith, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services and Public Protection, came up with the idea for the conference last year.

“One of our main aims is to reduce Lincoln’s carbon footprint, and we can only do that by working with others,” she said.

Invitations have been sent to various businesses and organisations in Lincoln, including Siemens, Simons Group, Lincolnshire County Council, NHS Lincolnshire and Stagecoach East Midlands.

“The conference really is an opportunity to get together and share ideas and see what we can do,” Councillor Smith explained.

The Low Carbon Lincoln conference will take place on March 14 in the EMMTEC building at the University of Lincoln.

Speakers include Professor Paul Stewart, Pro Vice Chancellor Research at the University of Lincoln, who will talk about carbon reduction research currently underway at the school.

Julian Patrick, CEO of Freewatt, will talk about the future for renewable technologies in Lincoln, and Phil Skipper from Siemens will discuss revolutionising the way we think about travel.

Alexis Rowell, a former councillor in the London Borough of Camden and author of Communities, councils and carbon – what we can do if governments won’t, will also repeat his keynote speech for members of the public following the conference.

The public talk is free to attend from 6pm to 7.30pm in the EMMTEC building and you can book a place with the university’s events team on 01522 837100 or by email.

Councillor Smith added: “The council is doing its bit, with carbon reducing schemes, and actually bringing everyone together, but we would like to see what all the different businesses and organisations can achieve together.

“I think it will be a very interesting day and hope people will attend. The sponsorship and support from speakers for the event has been very good, so hopefully this will be reflected by the support from local Lincoln organisations.”