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WHO ATTENDS
Times are displayed in BST
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08:55 AM - 09:25 AM
Transport
In 2023, transport was the largest emitting sector in the UK as it contributed 29.1% of the nation’s carbon emissions. Whilst the push for net zero had already begun, this was still an increase of 3.7% when compared to 2022.
In order to try and combat this, local authorities are introducing plans to increase clean air in towns and cities nationwide. Some of the ways that this is being done include improve active travel infrastructure, and improving public transport access to the places that people need to be. The government has also committed £291m to support active travel schemes that will support cleaner and greener public spaces.
Kicking off the online conference, this panel will delve into understand the challenges and solutions faced by the public sector as it looks to deliver better, more sustainable transport.
Cllr Oliver Patrick Associate Lead Member for Climate Change and Active Travel Somerset Council -
09:35 AM - 10:05 AM
AI Innovation and Emerging Technologies
The second panel discussion of the conference will see panellists coming together to discuss the role that technology and innovation can play as the public sector works towards its net zero goals.
One such technology is artificial intelligence, which has already begun to make strides in improving sustainability and innovation across the sector. With this including projects that can help with energy optimisation, the future of sustainability could lie with AI and whatever technology might come next.
Join us for this panel to get the key insight into how technology can help to achieve net zero by 2050.
Shanika Mahendran Cabinet Member for Climate, Sustainability and Innovation Milton Keynes City CouncilCllr Shanika Mahendran is the Cabinet member for Planning and Placemaking at Milton Keynes City Council. Shanika is the youngest councillor and first Asian woman to be given a cabinet position in Milton Keynes.
Within the City Council, Cllr Shanika Mahendran’s portfolio focuses on Climate, Sustainable growth, Net Zero, Innovation, Tech, AI, Culture and Events.
She formally worked as a Programme Manager (Air Quality and Transport) at the Labour Climate and Environment Forum and holds an MSc in Sustainable Cities from King’s College London, specialising in urban sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Shanika is an MK Gallery Trustee, A High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Goodwill Ambassador and Volunteer at Milton Keynes charity Ride High, which helps disadvantaged children gain confidence through riding and caring for horses. She also attended the University of Buckingham, achieving a First Class degree in Art History and Journalism.
Carl-Magnus Von Behr Doctoral Researcher Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering, University of CambridgeCarl-Magnus von Behr is an industrial engineer with a focus on interdisciplinary problem-solving within healthcare management. His academic and practical work aims to enhance healthcare systems through innovation and operational efficiency.
In collaboration with AI specialists from the University of Cambridge, von Behr co-founded innex.ai. This venture introduces an AI-driven platform designed to streamline information retrieval and facilitate knowledge sharing among NHS Estates and Facilities Management staff.
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10:40 AM - 11:10 AM
Alternative Fuels and Solutions
Last year’s change of government brought a renewed vision for how the country will be powered. Whilst alternative fuels such as wind and solar have become more widespread, there is still something of a reliance on fossil fuel.
In recent years, the nation’s reliance in importing fuels has also meant that there was a lack of energy independence. The mission to tackle this has already begun, with the government establishing Great British Energy changing the rules around where significant infrastructure such as wind farms can be placed.
This panel will focus on the challenges that face the nation’s move to more sustainable energy, and how those challenges can be overcome for the good of the planet.
Cllr Mohammed Rafique Executive Member for Climate, Energy, Environment and Green Spaces Leeds City Council -
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
EV Infrastructure
As the nation continues to learn more about the benefits of electric vehicles, and they become more accessible, one hurdle that must be overcome is the continued lack of EV infrastructure.
More and more chargers are popping up around the country, however issues still remain about how they will be funded, where they should be placed, and how they can be integrated into communities that existed long before they were conceived. One solution has been the LEVI fund, which is has supported local authorities with their EV infrastructure goals, however more must be done if public confidence in EVs is to improve.
To learn more about how the public sector can support the push for improved EV infrastructure, this panel will bring key insight, including looking into how authorities can support the goal of installing 300,000 charge points by 2030.
Shamala Evans-Gadgill EV Infrastructure Programme Manager Coventry City CouncilTransportation and Innovation: CVLR Programme Delivery Manager and EV Infrastructure Programme Manager/Senior Engineer –
Shamala is a 4th-year part-time PGR within the Research Institute for Clean Growth and Future Mobility at Coventry University and is also an experienced Senior Civil Engineer and Programme/Project Manager in designing and implementing challenging, complex and wide-ranging infrastructure projects. Her experience includes (1) Innovation projects within the decarbonising transport platform, renewables, battery storage and management; (2) Local Transport Plans, including Network Efficiency projects and Waste Management projects; (3) Traffic Management, including traffic-calming measures; (4) General roadworks, including road geometry; and (5) Regeneration, public realm, and urban environment projects.
Theo Parkes Senior Officer of EV Infrastructure Nottinghamshire County CouncilTheo leads on the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) project at Nottinghamshire County Council (lead authority for the Second Midlands Consortium). With one of the largest tenders outside of London now live, I have had involvement in all stages on the site selection process, including balancing on-street LEVI sites with our EV Cable Channel pilot project.
Jack Adams EV Infrastructure Project Manager Wakefield CouncilI am an experienced project professional who started in the events industry but changed area into the built environment and climate change. I am currently focused on the installation of EV charging infrastructure across the Wakefield District.
I am an Associate Member of the Association of Project Management and am a volunteer in the Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Branch's PMO. -
12:50 PM - 13:40 PM
Estates
Net zero responsibilities for public bodies don’t just relate to how they can support communities to become greener, they also need to look inwardly to how their physical buildings and properties can be more efficient.
Be it an office, a town hall, a police station, or a hospital, organisations are constantly looking at new ways to reduce the emissions being produced by their buildings, which has led to new ways of working and thinking. New lights, heating sources, or even solar panels are all supporting this push.
The final panel discussion of the conference will take a look into how some organisations have been successful in reducing their own emissions, some of the challenges that come with this work, and how you can make your workplace greener.
Janet Smith Head of Sustainability The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust & WalsallMy personal motto is create, communicate, lead and inspire to achieve excellent outcomes. I have a track record of delivering successful results, engaging and getting the best out of others and developing a positive, innovative and solution-focused culture within a team.
I have more than 30 years’ experience in project management. Fifteen years of which were spent in managing United Nations agencies funded health and other development projects in both urban and rural communities. I am highly skilled in conceptualising and developing programmes and projects which led to consultancies with among others the World Bank - Economic Development Institute. I have produced project proposals and business cases which were funded by both International and National funding agenciesCllr Adrian Andrew Associate Leader Walsall Council
Cllr David Beavan Cabinet Member for Housing East Suffolk Council