Hud-IET On Campus: The Climate Change Panel

Climate change. These two words are appearing in the headlines with increased frequency. Research has shown that the world is getting warmer, sea levels are rising, land is disappearing, and we have been experiencing more extreme weather conditions in the past few years across the globe. Importantly, research also indicates that the changes are being exacerbated by daily human activity.

Can we slow down or stop the effects of climate change? What research has been undertaken with regards to this topic? What is the energy sector trying to do to alleviate the affects they have on global climate? What are industries trying to do? What policies are local councils and government putting in place to reduce pollution and promote overall societal sustainability?

Hud-IET On Campus and the IET West Yorkshire Local Network have joined forces to organise a panel discussion meeting comprising of four speakers from a range of backgrounds, who will set the scene for the debate and try and answer your questions on climate change. The panellists are:

• Faye Banks, Siemens – representing industry.
• Phil McNally, Energy UK – representing the energy sector.
• Cllr Naheed Mather, Kirklees Council – representing the council/policy makers.
• Dr Phil Hwang, University of Huddersfield – representing university research relative to climate change.

The event will be held on the evening of the 3 December 2020 via zoom and will start at 6.30 pm. This will be different from a normal Hud-IET On Campus event, as we want to hold a meaningful event which honours the IET’s 150th anniversary! So please join us and help make this a memorable experience!

Everyone is welcome including those who do not study or work at the University of Huddersfield! If you are interested, please book your place for this event!

The Hud-IET On Campus Committee Team
University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH
E-mail Hud-IET On Campus, visit Hud-IET On Campus, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

 

About the Speakers

 

Dr Phil Hwang

Dr Phil Hwang received the PhD in geophysics and remote sensing from the University of Manitoba, Canada. Working as a Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, he studies the impacts of climate change in the Arctic and African countries. Has participated in more than 10 Arctic expeditions, he witnessed dramatic changes happening in the Arctic and is working with world-leading scientists to gain a better understanding of changing Arctic sea ice in the context of global climate change. He also studies environment changes happening in forests and wetlands in Africa and how such changes affect communities and livelihoods in changing climate.

Faye Banks

Faye Banks is a Chartered Electrical Engineer having gained experience throughout the Electrical Transmission, Electrical Distribution, Water and Manufacturing sectors working in Clients, Contractor and Consultancy roles. Faye currently works as Head of Customer Services at Siemens Smart Infrastructure - Digital Grid Team. Faye has recently taken up a position as Visiting Professor at The Royal Academy of Engineering.

The Paris Agreement, which entered into force in November 2016, underlines the global consensus to keep global warming below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Its goal: to protect societies and economies against serious impact from climate change. The most important means to achieve this end is the decarbonization of the global economy by the end of this century – meaning the total elimination of emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG), most of all of CO2. Siemens supports the Paris Agreement. By providing innovative technologies, we consider ourselves a leading partner for decarbonization for our customers and society. With respect to climate change mitigation measures, we take the entire value chain into account – from sustainable supply chain initiatives and our CO2 neutral operations to Siemens’ products and solutions. Siemens’ research and innovation focuses among others on enabling the transition towards a low carbon economy.

Cllr Naheed Mather 

Cllr Naheed Mather Cabinet Member for Greener Kirklees and prior to that Communities & Environment, Chair of Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, Director of Suez board, Director of Huddersfield BID, to mention but a few positions. She has also had 20 years’ experience in Higher Education as a principle lecturer in Social Policy & Criminology and was also the Director of Mather Excel, which provides oversight in governance, performance management, economic development and community sustainability. She also holds a BA (Hons) in History & Politics, a Master’s in social policy and a LM L7 in Executive Coaching & Leadership mentoring.

Cllr Naheed Mather is an active member in the community and voluntary sector, being Chair and founding member of a Housing Association, as well as a Magistrate and currently, Employment Tribunal member.

Cllr Mather believes Climate Change is everyone’s business and none of the ambitions can be achieved by the Council in isolation. She believes Inclusive Partnerships will allow the council to engage with partners, harness our collective resources and efforts towards achieving our shared ambitions and action plans.

Phil McNally

Phil is a Policy Manager at Energy UK with responsibility for the organisation’s low-carbon power policy. His brief includes renewables, nuclear, hydrogen and Carbon Capture, Usage & Storage (CCUS) policy and he spends his time advising the government and other key stakeholders on their decarbonisation strategy and policy. He sits on UK Government Expert groups on hydrogen and CCUS and the Energy Minister’s CCUS Council.  Phil also runs the Young Energy Professionals (YEP) Forum, which is a network with the aim of raising the profile of those with less than 10 years’ experience in the energy sector. He invites anyone interested in energy policy or joining the YEP Forum to get in touch.