The Committee on Climate Change - the Governments' official advisors - have called for a "step change in pace" if we are to meet the UK carbon emissions reduction targets; a message that was reinforced in the Committee's advice to Scottish Ministers in February 2010.

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act, as well as committing the country to delivering a 42% reduction in emissions by 2020, also places duties on public bodies relating to climate change that come into force on 1 January 2011.

For local government and the wider public sector, the focus must now be on how to step up our work on climate change, how to meet upcoming legislative requirements and to understand why it is vital for us to provide leadership in Scotland's transition to a low carbon economy.

With representation from senior national and local politicians, senior civil servants, and business and local government leaders, the SSN Conference 2010 will provide delegates with the latest up-to-date information on the national plan for addressing climate change, and will also highlight the opportunities that climate change action presents for Scotland's economy, businesses and communities.

The SSN Conference 2010 will:

• Detail the implications of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act Public Bodies Duty for local authorities, Community Planning Partners and the wider public sector, and clarify their roles and responsibilities.
• Provide sessions addressing public sector 'corporate' emissions, housing, transport, community engagement and partnership working.
• Provide in-depth analysis of the Scottish Government's Report on Policies and Proposals for meeting annual targets, expected in autumn 2010.
• Explore opportunities arising from the Scottish Government's Low Carbon Economy Strategy, expected in early November 2010
• Explore both the practicalities and the benefits of financing the transition to a low carbon economy in a time of austerity
• Underline the value and importance of local government and public sector climate change action in achieving national and global emissions reduction
• Provide an opportunity for Scotland's public sector to come together, explore joint-working opportunities and share good practice

View a video of the Sustainable Scotland Network Conference 2009.

Supported by the Scottish Government, COSLA and SOLACE-Scotland, the SSN Conference is the sustainable development and climate change conference for local government officials and elected members, and all those who engage with local authorities in the process of making Scotland more sustainable.

Key Speakers
	John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth
	Lady Susan Rice, Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group Scotland
	Nicolas Bertrand, United Nations Environment Programme Economics and Trade Branch
	Alison Hay, COSLA's Regeneration and Sustainability Spokesperson
	Sue Bruce, Chief Executive, Aberdeen City Council
	David Wilson, Director of the Energy Directorate, Scottish Government
	Colin Imrie, Deputy Director of the Energy Markets Division, Scottish Government
Chairperson
	Jan Bebbington, Professor of Accounting and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews

Supported by



SSN, Wallace House, 17-21 Maxwell Place, Stirling, FK8 1JU | tel: 01786 (468768) | fax: (01786) 464611 | email: ssn@ksbscotland.org.uk