Sheffield – LAWFUEL – In a major coup for the UK’s “greenest city”, the Sheffield office of DLA Piper is bringing former US Vice President Al Gore as keynote speaker to its “Cooling The Planet” conference which will, for the first time, bring leaders of regional, national and international business together to address the major climate change challenges that threaten economic sustainability.
Nearly 1,000 delegates from around the world are expected in Sheffield on Wednesday 7 February 2007 for the groundbreaking event.
Sheffield will showcase its green credentials to coincide with a major global climate change conference in the city.
It seems the city has taken up the green mantle as a result of the conference and its high profile visitor by organising a host of public and private events to form a week of activity entitled: “Sheffield Is My Planet” between 5 – 9 February 2007.
The week includes tree planting, schools events, films, exhibitions, workshops, debates, book signings, seminars and interactive visits all designed to show off Sheffield’s green schemes and initiatives.
Events are being staged by agencies including Sheffield City Council, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield First Environment Partnership, Yorkshire Forward, Renaissance South Yorkshire, Arup, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Sheffield Hallam University, CBI, South Yorkshire Green Business Club and the British Trust Conservation Volunteers.
Environmental legal expert Teresa Hitchcock from DLA Piper, the brainchild behind the conference, said: “Climate change is rapidly becoming an issue on everyone’s mind. We have pushed the button by organising the conference which will act as a high level strategic platform to raise the issue across the city, region and further afield and I am delighted to see such a hugely positive reaction from agencies across the city.
“Tackling climate change is possible for everyone and through the conference, and all the associated events, we hope to succeed in bringing together a range of organisations and their expertise. This highlights the fact that by tackling issues together we can join forces to make a difference.”
The public events programme includes:
Thursday February 1
Tree planting for young volunteers with BTCV – All day with 9.30am pick up
Monday 5 February
Screenings of Al Gore’s film, ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, Showroom Cinema on (9.30-12.30pm (young people’s screening) and evening show (open to all)
Tuesday 6 February
Biodiesel buses leaving from Heely City farm following a route map of sites of environmental interest in and around Sheffield
Tree Planting for young volunteers, BTCV – All day with 9.30am pick up
Planitsustainability Interactive Workshop, University of Sheffield – 10am-2pm
Sheffield Walkability workshop, Sheffield Town Hall, 9.30am-4pm
Al Gore’s film, ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, Showroom Cinema 9.30am-12.30pm (open to young people) and 7pm (open to all)
Wednesday 7 February
Renewable Energy Exhibition, City Hall – 10am-5pm
Breakfast Debate, City Hall – 10.15am-11.15am
Book signing by Paul Hudson, City Hall – 11.15am
Thursday 8 February
Biodiesel buses leaving from Heely City farm following a route map of sites of environmental interest in and around Sheffield
Friday 9 February
Planitsustainability Interactive Workshop, University of Sheffield – 10am-2pm (open to public)
For further details on events contact the relevant venue or visit www.sheffieldismyplanet.co.uk
As well as the public activities, a number of guest-only events will also take place during the week including the “Cooling the Planet” conference, a Core Cities climate change group meeting, a Eurocities working group meeting, a Greening the Local Economy seminar hosted by South Yorkshire Green Business Club and BEC, DLA Piper’s “Meet the Regulator and Key Players event” and an ecoschools event.
Mary Lea, Sheffield City Council’s cabinet member for the environment added: “Sheffield has a long and distinguished history of care for, and interest in, the environment.
“As a local authority we have identified this as an important issue over the past few years in terms of developing and realising good environmental practice to improve the impact that Sheffield has on the world climate and to help Sheffield to prepare for climate change.
“This week will hopefully act as a guide to people living here and visiting the city about what we are already doing and planning as a local authority and city to further develop and implement a climate change strategy.”
