Green House Think Tank Archives - Page 2 of 2

Mar 25 2021

Call for Author: Youth Chapter for the Just Transition Book

By GEF

About the Event

The chapter will be published in the Book on Just Transition produced as part of the multiannual and multipartner project carried out by the Green European Foundation, led by Oikos and participated by green European partners. It will be divided in five parts: (1) Setting the stage, (2) European regions on their way, (3) Just transition and the EU Green Deal, (4) Frontrunners showing the way, and (5) Conclusions. The Youth Chapter will open part 4.

We are looking for someone who can bring a fresh perspective and nuanced insights into the following questions:

How do young people take the future into their own hands?
How are grassroots movements changing the narrative and convincing politicians to push for a socially just transition?
How are young activists from marginalised communities and minority groups impacted by climate change, and how are they fighting for climate justice?
Why are current EU programmes such as Next Generation EU not good enough?
How has the pandemic transformed the efforts of grassroots activists and changed their methods to create impact?

We are looking for one or two young authors with a passion for writing who are interested in the topic and committed to unpack the relation between the work of activists everywhere in Europe and the political advancement towards a more sustainable, welcoming and fairer Europe.

Context

About the chapter:

The content of the chapter should have a strong focus on the role of youth, grassroots and marginalised and minority groups in achieving a better and more just transition away from fossil fuels towards a socially and environmentally sustainable future
The chapter should have a clear sub-structure (contextual introduction, main body divided in sub-sections and topics, summarising conclusion) and can include various formats (analysis, essays, case studies and/or interviews)
The chapter should support analysis with figures and examples from at least three European countries (including at least one non-EU)
The chapter should consist of 4000 to 6000 words
The contribution should be written in English
The remuneration for the writing of the chapter is EUR 500

We accept both individual and joint applications of maximum two authors to co-write the chapter. If you decide to apply with someone please send in only one joint application.

The writer(s) applying should:

Be interested and passionate about tactics, methods and narratives used by grassroots movements across Europe to achieve a socially just transition
Be determined in expanding their knowledge on the topic by doing research, following the work or contacting activists
(Possibly) have previous experience in writing extensive pieces
Feel comfortable in writing long texts in English

Timeline:

Send your application by 2nd April at 23:59 CET
You will be informed of the decision at the latest by 7th April (all applicants will be informed)
Start writing!
A first draft of the chapter should be sent in by the 7th of May
Wait for the feedback and comments of the FYEG Executive Committee
The final version of the chapter should be sent in by the 31st of May

Practicalities

To apply:

Please send the following to project.manager@fyeg.org by 2nd April @ 23:59 CET:

Your pitch for the chapter: a description of what you would like to write about (between 300 and 400 words)
A short mention of the structure and format you plan to use
A proposal for a concise title
Your CV (or CVs if two authors are applying)

Jan 05 2021

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Infrastructure Requirements for Zero Carbon

By GEF Uncategorized

About the report

This report explores how incompatible our society’s current and planned infrastructure is with the rapid decarbonisation of the UK economy needed to deliver on the climate emergency. It focuses on three key sectors: freight transport, aviation and steel, and considers what changes are required to bring these into line with zero carbon goals, using the ‘blockers and enablers’ toolkit introduced in Green House’s August 2020 report, Trade and Investment Requirements for Zero Carbon.

Jonathan Essex, one of the report’s authors, said:

Much of our existing industrial infrastructure, such as fossil fuel power stations and steel blast furnaces, is incompatible with zero carbon. Similarly, planned new transport infrastructure is still taking our economy in the wrong direction. The climate emergency means we must make different infrastructure choices. We need to manage down demand for energy and materials, and install renewable energy infrastructure faster. And we must reverse out investment in expanding road networks, ports and airports and make better use of what we already have. A climate-proof infrastructure investment strategy will be one that drives a change to smaller, circular economies that fit within environmental limits […].

This report is part of a wider project led by the Green European Foundation exploring what a ‘climate emergency economy’ would look like through a rethinking of trade, industry and infrastructure investment. The project involves Greenhouse Think Tank in the UK alongside Groenlinks in the Netherlands and Green Foundation Ireland.

Sep 10 2020

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Trade and Investment Requirements for Zero Carbon

By GEF Uncategorized

As moves are being made to introduce a Climate & Ecological Emergency Bill in the UK, and a new Trade Bill is progressing through parliament post-Brexit, it’s an important time to be considering the implications of zero carbon for global trade and investment decisions. This report proposes a much-needed toolkit to help policy makers face up to climate reality and address the wider environmental impacts and the imbalances of power and wealth that underlie our global trade.

Download the technical annex here.

Sep 01 2020

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Achieving zero carbon trade, investment and industry (London)

By GEF

Context:

The Green European Foundation, in cooperation with Green House Think Tank is organising the online conference as part of the Climate Emergency Economy project. This work forms part of a wider project led by the GEF involving Green House in the UK, Scientific Bureau of Groenlinks in the Netherlands and Green Foundation Ireland.

This online conference follows successful events last year on Climate Jobs and a Just Transition and Climate Emergency – Raising Ambition.

About the Event:

Under the title “Achieving zero carbon trade, investment and industry” the Conference will focus on What needs to change for trade, investment and industry to meet the challenge of the climate emergency and exist within planetary boundaries?

A new report from the Green European Foundation and Green House Think Tank introduces a new toolkit to aid policy makers and campaigners to rethink trade.

The “Trade and Investment Requirements for Zero Carbon” Report is now available for download. (Technical Annex – Methodology)

What obstacles are blocking decarbonisation? What policies will enable the changes we need?

With speakers from the Netherlands and Ireland, a political panel discussion, break-out sessions and chances for networking, please join us to explore what a climate emergency economy could look like.

Speakers:

Natalie Bennett (Green Peer)
Saskia Bricmont (Belgian MEP and Member of the Committee on International Trade)
Anna Cavazzini (German MEP and Member of the Committee on International Trade)
Peter Sims (Green House Think Tank)
Jonathan Essex (Green House Think Tank)
Evert Nieuwenhuis (GroenLinks)
Tommy Simpson (Green Foundation Ireland)
Davie Philip (Cultivate)
Ellie Chowns (England and Wales Green Party)
Jean Blaylock (Global Justice Now)

Programme:

14:00 – Welcome & introduction

14:05 – Session 1a | Chair – Natalie Bennett

Trade story highlights
Introduction of the Blockers & Enablers toolkit
Group discussion

14:30 – Session 1b | Chair – Natalie Bennett

Decarbonising Industry – The Netherlands

Presentation
Pairs discussion

Re-localisation / Shortening the Supply Chain – Ireland

Presentation
Pairs discussion

14:50 – Session 1c | Chair – Natalie Bennett

Group discussion – Q&A from the audience

15:15 – Short break

15:30 – Session 2 | Chair – Natalie Bennett

Panelists:

Ellie Chowns, England and Wales Green Party International Spokesperson
Jean Blaylock, Campaigns and Policy Manager, Global Justice Now
Saskia Bricmont (Belgian MEP and Member of the Committee on International Trade)
Anna Cavazzini (German MEP and Member of the Committee on International Trade)

16:30 – End of event

Practicalities:

This event will kick off new work on trade, infrastructure and industry – and we’d love to have you there.

Time: BST (British Summer Time)

Registrations are now open

Acknowledgements:

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Green House and with the financial support of the European parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Jun 07 2019

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Climate Emergency – Raising Ambition (London)

By GEF

Event Background

With the consequences of climate change beinng increasingly perceptible through extreme weather events (both worldwide and in European countries), verifiable research is urgently needed to set targets and policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the amount necessary to secure a livable environment. At the same time, policies to reduce greenhouse emissions are often attacked for threatening existing jobs.

GEF’s transnational project “Strengthening Climate Targets, Creating Local Climate Jobs” sets out to explore what greenhouse emissions reductions would mean in practical terms for our job markets and economies, and whether jobs could be created in rural areas across Europe. Can both a safe and just economically sound life for all be achieved? To this end, our project undertook research on the potential to create more climate jobs in three EU countries with diverse historic and economic prerequisites: United Kingdom, Ireland and Hungary. In 2019 the project is expanding also to Poland.

About the Event:

This climate energy conference is a one-day event for those looking to act on the climate emergency. What can local authorities and communities do? What scale of change do we need to be looking at? What could the benefits be for jobs and local economies? How do we keep fossil fuels in the ground?

Speakers:

Andrew Simms, (Rapid Transition Alliance) – the Climate Emergency
Nadine Andrews, (Green House) – Climate psychology & cultural shifts
Paul Allen, (Centre for Alternative Technology) – Zero Carbon Britain
Jonathan Essex and Peter Sims, (Green House) – Climate Jobs
Sam Mason (PCS Union) – Need for a Just Transition
Fatima Ibrahim (IPPR Environmental Justice Commission) – Need for a Just Transition
Yves Marignac, (Association négaWatt) – Europe-wide transition
Simon Pickering (Councillor, Stroud District Council) – Reducing in-house emissions
Philip Webber (formerly of Kirklees Council) – Street by street retrofit
Ian Christie (University of Surrey) – Widening the coalition
Agamemnon Otero (Repowering London) – Renewable energy
Page Dykstra (Community Supported Agriculture Network UK) – Land/Food Transition
Robert Read (The A Team Foundation) – Land/Food Transition
John Webb (Herts WithOut Waste) – Materials/Waste Transition
Neil Pitcairn (United Kingdom Without Incineration Network) – Materials/Waste Transition
Stephen Joseph (Transport Policy Consultant) – Transport Transition

Programme:

10:00-10:30 – Registration & refreshment

10:30 – Welcome and introductions – Natalie Bennett Green European Foundation, Anne Chapman Green House
– The Climate Emergency – Andrew Simms
– Climate Psychology and cultural change – Nadine Andrews
– Questions and discussion
– Introduction to parallel sessions and workshops

11:45 – Tea/ coffee break

12:00 – Parallel sessions – Making a plan
– Green New Deal and Just Transition – Fatima Ibrahim and Sam Mason
– Climate Jobs – Jonathan Essex and Peter Sims
– Zero Carbon plans – Paul Allen (Centre for Alternative Technology) and Yves Marignac (negaWatt)

13:00 – Lunch and information/discussion tables on:
– Reuse and recycling – Herts WithOut Waste & UKWIN
– Sustainable and Active Transport – Stephen Joseph,
– Renewable energy – Repowering London
– Food and farming – Community Supported Agriculture Network & Team A Foundation
– Street by street retrofit – Philip Webber (formerly Kirklees council)
– Local councils – Simon Pickering, Stroud District Council

14:30 – Workshops – Making it happen
– Making an Action Plan – Simon Pickering, with Jonathan Essex and Peter Simms
– Identifying key enablers and blockers of a step change in emissions.
– Widening the Coalition – Ian Christie, Surrey Climate Commission
– Establishing partnerships, setting up a local climate commission and citizens assemblies.

15:30 – tea/coffee break

15:45 – Making change happen – Feed back from workshops and panel discussion chaired by Natalie Bennett

17:00 – Conference Ends

Practicalities:

Conference fee: £10

Please register for this event via the form found here.

Nov 27 2018

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Citizen’s Energy: Making Energy Democracy Happen (Brussels)

By GEF

Context

This conference is part of the Green European Foundation Energy Democracy transnational project, which aims to explore the potential of an energy transition for Europe and how to shape this process in a democratic, participatory way.

Europe has to change its energy system into a fully renewable one to transition to a sustainable economy and to establish a real climate policy. This is a major challenge for every Member State of the European Union, but will only succeed if the states work together.

European citizens are already playing an active role, together with governments at different levels, as they are organising themselves in national energy cooperatives and also the European Federation REScoop.

Studies show that by 2050, around 45% of all EU households could be producing their own renewable energy, more than a third could come through renewable energy cooperatives. This constitutes a huge opportunity for regional economic development, as locally-owned renewable energy projects deliver eight times the value of projects that are owned by private companies not from the area. However, the reality in the different Member States is extremely diverse. While the contribution of citizens’ Energy co-ops and local communities is well recognized in Western Europe, the situation in Eastern Europe is quite the opposite.

See also the publication that was produced for this project: Community Energy in UK.

About the event

Our energy system is outdated in many ways: fossil fuel based and thus unsustainable, technocratic, and dominated by a few big market players. But over the last few decades, citizens have been developing an alternative system that is renewable, decentralised and democratic.

The development of renewable energy cooperatives demonstrates what citizens are capable of, especially when they are supported by a partner state, one that develops a stimulating legal framework and offers smart incentives.

How can we strengthen this transition to an energy system of the future? This conference will bring together contributors from GEF partners, energy cooperatives and energy sectors to discuss renewable energy potential on both a European and local level.

Speakers

Dirk Holemans, coordinator Oikos Think Tank
Dirk Vansintjan, President REScoop.eu
Elise Steyaert, from local climate cooperation Klimaan and VEB (Vlaams Energie Bedrijf) 
Claire Roumet, Director Energy Cities
Johan Daenen, Member of Flemish Parliament
Bob d’Haeseller, Green Party in Eeklo (BE)
Anne Chapman, Director Green House Think Tank (UK)
Aurélie Maréchal, Director Green European Foundation

Programme

17:00 – Welcome by Aurélie Maréchal, Director of Green European Foundation
17:10 – Stage setting by Dirk Holemans, coordinator at Oikos think tank
17:30 – Local and citizen iniatatives with Elise Steyaert (Klimaan), Dirk Vansintjan (REScoop), Bob d’Haeseleer (Groen Eeklo)
18:30 – Q&A
19:00 – Coffee break and snacks
19:30 – Role of governments with Claire Roumet (Energy Cities), Johan Daenen (Member of Flemish Parliament), Anne Chapman (Green House Think Tank)
20:30 – Q&A

Tickets for the event can be purchased from the Oikos website here.

Sep 12 2018

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Climate Jobs – Towards a Zero-Carbon Economy (Bristol)

By GEF

Context

With the consequences of climate change being evermore perceptible through extreme weather events (both worldwide and in European countries), verifiable research is urgently needed to set targets and policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the amount necessary to secure a livable environment. At the same time, policies to reduce greenhouse emissions are often attacked for threatening existing jobs.

About the event

This upcoming side event at the Autumn Conference of the Green Party of England and Wales will offer an introduction to the GEF transnational project. In particular, it will present the results of modelling to estimate the net number of jobs that could be created in each local authority area of the United Kingdom, via the transition to a zero carbon economy, in the key sectors of energy, transport, waste management, buildings and food, farming, and forestry.

During the event, the overall GEF project as well as the research findings and resulting policy recommendations for the United Kingdom will be presented by:

Jonathan Essex, Green House Think Tank

Anne Chapman, Green House Think Tank

Chaired by: Natalie Bennett, Board Member Green European Foundation and former Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

For more information on this workshop and the Autumn Conference of the Green Party of England and Wales from 5 to 7 October in Bristol, you can find the programme here.

For updates and other upcoming events of this GEF transnational project, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Aug 02 2018

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Towards a New Climate (Katowice)

By GEF

Context

COP24 in Katowice will be decisive as one of its tasks is to work out and adopt decisions to ensure the implementation of the Paris Agreement. At the same time, the Polish government has stated its objective to use the opportunity of the 2018 Climate Summit Poland to demonstrate how neutrality in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, i.e. a balance between CO2 emissions and its sequestration by soils and forests, can be attained. This sends a fatal message to the broader public as it creates the impression that ever-growing CO2 emissions around the world could be absorbed naturally, which impedes debate and progress towards a zero carbon future. In this context, a clear response to the Polish government’s stance on climate change and mitigation is needed.

About the event

In early 2018, we kicked off our transnational project “Towards COP24 in Poland” to raise awareness about climate issues among the Polish population and EU citizens in general in the run up to the Climate Summit in Katowice. The project highlight will be a one-day event in the second week of COP24 in Katowice organised with the support of all project partners to challenge the current policies by EU member states, share best practices and present sustainable, fair and just approaches that respect the ecological boundaries of our planet while having a good life for all people in mind.

Topics:

1. Just transition of mining regions – organised with the support of Heinrich Böll Foundation in Warsaw and Fundacja Strefa Zieleni, Poland

2. Potential green jobs as a result of climate oriented transition – organised with the support of Green House Think Tank, UK

3. “Zero net emissions” – are carbon removals effective enough – organised with the support of Green Economics Institute, UK

4. Why nuclear energy is a false solution for a climate oriented energy transition – organised with the support of Fondation de l’Écologie Politique

Programme

09:30 – 10:00: Opening of the conference:

Lucile Schmid, Green European Foundation
Ewa Sufin-Jacquemart, Director, Fundacja Strefa Zieleni
Małgorzata Tracz, Co-Chair, Polish Green Party

10:00 – 10:30: Introduction

Bas Eickhout, Member of the European Parliament, The Greens / EFA
Video by GGEP on coal transition

10:30 – 12:00: Just Transition of Mining Regions

Not only in Poland, but also in various parts of some European countries, coal and lignite mining are an important part of local identity, culture and economy.

However, for economic and ecological reasons, in the coming decade(s) coal regions and communities must shift away from a coal-based economy. In this process, they need to deeply restructure their economy and find new future perspectives for their citizens.

What are the economic and social challenges in the ecological modernisation of these regions? Could the possible decarbonisation strategies be useful in different coal regions?

How to include different actors in creating a common vision of the future while building concrete development strategies? How to address a changing job market and a need to build a competitive economy while empowering people to pursue change? To what extent could renewable energy become an answer to these questions?

Panellists:

Annalena Baerbock, Chairwoman of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, Germany
Marcin Bazylak, Mayor of Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland (tbc)
Miłka Stępień, Member of National Council, Polish Green Party, Konin, Poland
Andrzej Błachowicz, Managing Director, Climate Strategies, London
Monika Paca, Galeria Szyb Wilson, Katowice, Poland
Jan Bondaruk, Deputy Director for Environmental Engineering, Central Mining Institute, Katowice

Moderation:

Patryk Białas, Director of Innovation and Competence Centre in EURO-CENTRUM Science and Technology Park and President of BoMiasto Association, local councillor in Katowice

12:00 – 13:30: Potential Green Jobs as a Result of Green Transition

(in conjunction with the project partners of GEF’s transnational project Strengthening Climate Targets, Creating Local Climate Jobs)

Meeting the challenge of climate change requires structural changes to the economy so that it is no longer dependent on fossil fuels. Different consumption and production patterns will lead to a loss of traditional jobs, but a large number of new jobs will also have to be created to accomodate the changed needs of our societies.

This panel will discuss the research done by GEF throughout the past years that has led to a model to estimate the number of jobs that would be created in key sectors of the economy.

During the event, the research report will be launched that summarises estimates for three EU member states – UK, Ireland and Hungary – and shows that increasing ambition on climate targets and transitioning the economy towards zero-carbon would result in a net increase in jobs all over the country, helping to rebalance the economy.

The debate will take into account the implications the research will have on a policy level, including input from Professor Jan Popczyk from the Silesian University of Technology, who will present results of his own metrics applied to Poland. It will also complement theory with real achievements in Germany and Spain.

Panellists:

Peter Sims, Green House Think Tank, UK
Anja Siegesmund, Minister of Environment, Energy and Nature Protection of Thuringia, Gemany
Florent Marcellesi, MEP, The Greens/EFA in the EP
Professor Jan Popczyk, Silesian University of Technology, Poland

Commentary:

Thomas Simpson, Green Foundation, Ireland

Moderation:

Johnathan Essex, Green House Think Tank, UK

13:30 – 14:30: Lunch Break

14:30 – 16:00: Zero Net Emissions – Are Carbon Removals Effective Enough?

Technological solutions (like carbon capture and storage – CCS) and environmental solutions, in particular in land use, agriculture and climate-friendly forest management, are important steps towards achieving carbon neutrality.

This debate will focus on political will, scientific evidence and results of experimenting with various solutions based on carbon sinks, as well as scientific vailidity of methods used for assessing the amount of CO2 removed from the atmosphere.

At the same time, this panel will point to structural changes our societies will have to undergo to achieve the Paris Agreement’s objective of limiting a temperature rise to 2°C or even 1.5°C: phase out of fossil fuels, change the logic inherent to our agricultural and food system, etc.

Panellists:

Olivier De Schutter, Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food (video)
Michal Wilczynski, Poland’s former National Chief Geologist, energy expert
Miriam Kennet, Green Economics Institute, UK
Claire Weill, INRA, “4 for 1000’ initiative, FR
Krzysztof Cibor, Greenpeace Poland
Nada Zaarour, Green Party of Lebanon

Moderation:

Ewa Sufin-Jacquemart, Fundacja Strefa Zieleni

16:00 – 17:30: Why Nuclear Energy is a False Solution for a Climate-Oriented Energy Transition

Poland is in the process of deciding whether to build its first nuclear power station. The public is divided, but the studies of locations, technologies, partners and investors nevertheless continue.

During this panel, it will be discussed whether nuclear energy is really the answer to the decarbonisation challenge and explore more sustainable solutions. This discussion is our contribution to the debate on nuclear energy happening in Poland today.

Panellists:

Yannick Jadot or Michele Rivasi, MEPs, Greens/EFA group in the EP
Yves Marignac, Director of Wise-Paris think tank
Marie Toussaint, Notre Affaire à Tous association, EELV
Charline Dufournet, Director of the European Scenario for the NégaWatt Initiative

Moderation:

Benoit Monange, Fondation de l’Ecologie Politique, France

17:30 – 18:00 Closing

Final remarks by Natalie Bennett (Board Member Green European Foundation and Green Party of England and Wales) and Evelyne Huytebroeck (European Green Party)

18:00 – 19:00 Buffet

19:00 Film Screening:

“Human Energy” Adam Dzienis (2018, 67 min.)

Debate after the movie with Adam Dzienis, Weronika Bloch and Anna Krenz, moderated by Ewa Sufin-Jacquemart

Simultaneous interpretation in Polish and English will be provided.

A shuttle will be provided from in front of COP (Rozdzienskiego street) to the venue, through the central station.

Departures from COP: 9:50, 11:20, 14:00, 15:30, 16:50, 18:20.

To register for the conference, please follow this link.

Join the Facebook event.

Stay tuned for more updates on the programme and speakers on this event page, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Aug 02 2018

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Facing up to Climate Reality (Norwich)

By GEF

Context

With the consequences of climate change being more and more perceptible, also in European countries, through extreme weather events, verifiable research is urgently needed to set targets and policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the amount required to secure a livable environment.

What would those reductions mean in practical terms, for instance for our economies? Can we create jobs in rural areas across Europe and not only secure a safe but also a just, economically sound life for all?

GEF’s transnational project “Strengthening Climate Targets, Creating Local Climate Jobs” explores those questions and aims to explore the potential to create more climate jobs in three EU countries with diverse history and economic prerequisites: United Kingdom, Ireland and Hungary.

About the event

Our upcoming one-day conference, organised with the support of Green House Think Tank, will consider these questions, as well as what we can learn from past extreme weather events in Europe for how we might cope in the future. It will be one stepping stone towards our upcoming research publication on the potential of local jobs creation in the three mentioned countries and will serve as an opportunity to discuss first findings for the United Kingdom more in-depth.

Programme

9:30 -10:00 REGISTRATION

10:00 -10:10 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS – Rupert Read

10:10 – 11:30 FACING UP TO CLIMATE REALITY – chaired by Catherine Rowett, with Brian Heatley and Asher Minns

11:30 -11:45 BREAK

11:45 – 13:00 CLIMATE JOBS – chaired by Anne Chapman, with Jonathan Essex and Peter Sims

13:45 – 14:45 FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMIES – chaired by Rupert Read, with Simon Fairlie and Helen Baczkovska

14:45 – 15:00 BREAK

15:00 – 15:30 DEALING WITH EXTREME WEATHER – chaired by Rupert Read, with Anne Chapman

15:30 – 16:00 FINAL DISCUSSION

Speaker Biographies

Rupert Read is chair of Green House think tank and Reader in Philosophy at the University of East Anglia.
Catherine Rowett is professor of philosophy at the University of East Anglia. She was the Green Party parliamentary candidate for South Norfolk in the 2015 and 2017 General Elections.
Brian Heatley is a founder member of Green House think tank. He is a former senior civil servant and former policy co-ordinator for the Green Party.
Asher Minns is executive director of the Tyndall Centre at the University of East Anglia. He is a science communicator who specialises in knowledge transfer of climate change research to audiences that are outside of academia.
Jonathan Essex is a member of Green House and an associate of Bioregional where he advises on new project development and policy. He previously worked for bioregional on sustainable construction and material reuse. He is a Green Party district and county councillor for Redhill, Surrey. He has led the work done by Green House on ‘Climate Jobs’.
Peter Sims is an Electronic Engineer who specialises in systems engineering and in particular the overlap and interfaces between human and non-human systems. He has carried out the modelling to estimate the number of jobs that could be created by the transition to a low carbon economy in Green House’s work on ‘Climate Jobs’.
Simon Fairlie is one of the editors of The Land, an occasional magazine about land rights, and author of Meat, a Benign Extravagance (Permanent Publications, 2010). He runs Chapter 7, which provides planning advice to smallholders and other low income people in the countryside. He has also had much practical experience of small scale farming in the UK and France.
Helen Baczkovska is an ecologist and writer based in rural Norfolk. She works as a conservation officer at Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
Anne Chapman is a member of Green House think tank. In 2017 she organised a conference in Lancaster (where she lives) on dealing with extreme weather.

Stay tuned for updates on the programme here and via our Twitter and Facebook channels.

The conference is free of charge but secure your place now by registering via this link. For further information, get in touch with info@greenhousethinktank.org.

Jan 31 2018

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The Potential Impact of Brexit on the Prospects for a Green Transition in Europe

By GEF Uncategorized

Context

In a referendum on 23 June 2016, 51.9% of the participating UK electorate (the turnout was 72.2% of the electorate) voted to leave the EU. On 29 March 2017, the British government invoked Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union. The UK is thus on course to leave the EU on 29 March 2019.

This event has enormous implications not only for the future of the EU as a polity, but also for the green transition to a sustainable society and economy which is the fundamental aim shared by Green parties across Europe. The Green European Foundation therefore decided, with the help of its national project partner organisations, coordinated by Green House think tank in the UK, to hold a series of public discussion events over the course of 2017 to explore those implications.

About the project

The project aimed to examine these questions on a comparative European basis, involving selected EU member states for which Brexit raises particularly pressing issues, related either to their relationship with the UK or to their own national political situation (or both).

The rationale behind the project was two-fold. Firstly, it was intended to provide a platform for the exploration of the possible short- and medium-term impacts of Brexit on environmental and economic policies directly affecting the transition to sustainability, both in the UK and in the rest of Europe. Secondly, it was motivated by the belief that the Brexit decision in the UK raises urgent and difficult questions about the continuing coherence and effectiveness of the EU as a polity, at least in its current form, and whether it still represents the best vehicle for the achievement of sustainability in Europe in the long term.

The results and key finding are summarised in this paper. Free digital version is available for download below.

Jan 18 2018

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Moving Beyond Capital-centered Growth – Planning for Jobs across the UK

By GEF Uncategorized

The UK is at a turning point, whether we like it or not. This paper explores how this could be used as an opportunity to reflect on what kind of future we want for the UK.

Currently economic growth is directed to where the economy is already strongest. This is further skewing who benefits, with inequality growing across the UK. It is expanding London, building on Green Belt and commuter suburbs, expanding cities and other centres of growth. This capital-centred growth is ignoring climate and environmental challenges and making life and livelihoods for many more precarious and insecure. To redirect the economy of the UK we need a plan, that joins up strategies and investment for jobs and skills, industry and infrastructure, housing and environment to align to the environmental and social challenges of today.

We need to do it in such a way that transitions us to a green future that is climate secure, and ensures no-one is left behind. Attaining a better quality of life for all requires a better redistribution of jobs around the UK to rebalance the economy regionally and in terms of income. This needs a rapid transition to shift our economy, politics and ways of living so they are sustainable within our resource and climate limits. This then would give us freedom and security, and generate the most crucial of aspects needed to enhance our collective resilience: hope.

This paper will first explore how the trends towards a gig economy and automation provide an opportunity for this to be realised as a new approach, before setting out why, what and how such a green industrial strategy might be realised.

Sep 14 2017

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Brexit and the Green Transition in Europe (London)

By GEF

This event is the concluding conference the ongoing transnational project “The potential impact of Brexit on the prospects for a Green transition in Europe” which attempts to support the much-needed public discussion of Brexit’s impact on individual Member States, as well as on the EU level, while exploring what this means for the Green movements’ endeavour in the transition to sustainability.

Six countries are taking part – France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Sweden and the UK. In each country, we are organising public debates with a particular focus on the implications of Brexit for that country. All these events are linked by a common framework of questions, and the concluding conference – in London on 11 November – will bring together representatives from the all the participating countries and organisations for mutual learning and planning.

PROGRAMME

1. Morning session: UK focus
10.30 Registration, coffee + tea
11.00 Welcome and introduction from GEF Co-President Lucile Schmid and from Panel Chair Norman Baker (former UK Minister for Transport)

11.15 Keynote presentation: Molly Scott Cato MEP
11.45 Responses from a panel of experts including Caroline Lucas MP, Prof. Peter Newell (University of Sussex) and Rupert Read (Green House)
12.15 Chaired discussion with panel and audience
13.00 LUNCH

2. Afternoon session: European focus
14.00: Introduction by Session Chair Nuala Ahern, Green Foundation Ireland and former MEP for the Irish Green Party
14.15 Presentations on the national events and perspectives:

France: Dr Viviane Gavey, Queens University Belfast
Poland: Ewa Sufin-Jacquemart, Director, Polish Green Foundation
Ireland: Prof. John Barry, Queens University Belfast
Sweden: Mikael Karlsson, President, European Environmental Bureau
Germany: Terry Reintke, MEP

15.15 Chaired discussion with panel and audience
16.15 Closing remarks from Jean Lambert MEP
16.30 – 18.00 Wine reception

REGISTRATION

Participation in this event is free of charge. Drinks and food will be available for a small charge. To confirm your attendance, please register here. If you have any questions, please send an email to the project coordinator Ray Cunningham.

RESULTS

The results of the event are published here.

Feb 21 2017

Love0

Conference ‘Dealing with extreme weather events’ (UK)

By GEF

Context

Climate change is going to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather. Already we are seeing the impacts of this, with unprecedented flooding in the North of England in December 2015, flooding in Spain in 2016 and the heat wave in Paris in 2003. How can we learn from these events so that we are better prepared in future?

Conference

Due to climate change, extreme weather events become more likely and hence instability and uncertainty for the communities affected increases. This conference will address how the experience of extreme weather events now can help communities to be better prepared for such events in the future.

This conference, taking place in a community that experienced a major power cut caused by the floods of December 2015, will bring together people from across Europe, including speakers from Lancaster, Paris, and Barcelona, to find out what we can learn from each other.

Programme

9h45 Registrations and coffee

10h15 Welcome & Introduction – Anne Chapman (Green House Think Tank) and Natalie Bennett (Board Member Green European Foundation)

10h30 Lancaster and Storm Desmond – Caroline Jackson (Lancaster City Council)

11h05 El Prat – a Catalan Experience of Extreme Weather – Sergi Alegre Calero (Vice-Mayor, El Prat)

11h40 – 11h55 – Coffee Break

11h55 – 12h30 The 2003 Heat Wave and Its Aftermath in France – Alice Le Roy (former Policy Advisor, Paris City Council)

12.30 – Q&A and discussion

13h00 – 14h00 – Lunch

14h00 – 15h00 Parallel Sessions:
1. Living Without Electricity, Lessons from Lancaster – Roger Kemp (Lancaster University)
2. Upland Management – a Need for Change? Options for Managing our Uplands for Water, Wildlife and People – a Northern England Perspective – Peter Leeson (The Woodland Trust)

15h00 – 15h15 – Break

15h15 – 16h15 Parallel Sessions:
1. Planning for a Changing Climate – Hugh Ellis (Town and Country Planning Association)
2. Community Responses and Emergency Planning – Kerryanne Wilde (Community Emergency Response Team)and Mark Bartlett (Emergency Planning Officer, Lancaster City Council)

Film screening

Besides the conference on Saturday, there will be an opportunity to see the film ‘Pedalling and Paddling’ on Friday evening, 20h00, at Gregson Arts Centre, made by a local film maker, about a group from Lancaster setting off to cycle to the COP21 talks in Paris just as the floods hit Lancaster. (Donations at the door.)

On Saturday, at 19h30, there will be the opportunity to see the play ‘Blackout’ at the Dukes Theatre, based on local people’s experience of the power cut.

Registration and tickets

The event is free of charge. Please register here! For more information, please contact Anne Chapman, director of Green House Think Tank.

You can also get in touch with Anne to purchase tickets for the theatre play or directly buy them from the Dukes here.

Date & Venue

The conference will take place on 28 October 2017, between 9h30 – 16h15 at the Friends Meeting House in Lancaster, United Kingdom.

Results

The presentation and relevant videos from this conference are available here.

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