Climate and Sustainability

'Scotland has everything it takes to show international leadership by charting a concrete path to carbon neutrality by 2045. With the 26th Conference of the Parties coming to the UK in 2021, it is time for Scotland to lay out this path.'

Christiana Figueres, Former Executive Secretary, UN Climate Convention

Take a look below at all of the things that Edinburgh Science, and our partners, are doing to help combat the climate crisis including our exciting Climate Opportunity Ideas Factory.

Plus, we've provided some tips to help you be a little bit greener at the Festival, on the go and at home.

Edinburgh Science is running a series of round table meetings for senior Scottish industry leaders to discuss ideas for action that will enable Scottish enterprises to respond to the climate emergency. The purpose of meetings is to generate new ideas that are then acted upon by those present taking steps towards reduced carbon emissions and greater environmental sustainability.

This began in April 2019 when Edinburgh Science Festival awarded the Edinburgh Medal to acclaimed diplomat Christiana Figueres, the Costa Rican Diplomat who was instrumental in bringing about the Paris Climate Agreement. We organised a round table on that day, with leaders of business, public sector, third sector and higher education present. They were challenged by Christiana to collaborate, to act, to not wait for anyone to give them permission, and to use the opportunity that presented itself for positive change.

Christiana returned to Edinburgh two months later and asked to meet again for an update. Baillie Gifford hosted a larger group of senior leaders who presented a number of ideas for discussion in this forum, with Christiana Figueres and Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform. Many of the ideas have been picked up and the attendees have fed back that this group is of immense value to them, due to the diverse invite list and the facilitated discussions.

'Scotland has already halved greenhouse gas emissions while growing the economy and increasing productivity and employment. Our ambition now is to end our contribution to climate change, definitively, within a generation. It is encouraging to see Edinburgh Science bringing leaders from multiple sectors together to collaborate on being part of the solution.'

Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform  

Through the Climate Opportunity Ideas Factory we are encouraging, supporting and facilitating these leaders as they address the challenges and opportunities that the climate revolution will bring. The Climate Opportunity Ideas Factory will continue meet regularly and we are excited to work towards bringing innovative ideas into reality as we approach COP26 Glasgow in November 2021. 

Climate Opportunity Ideas Factory Meeting Reports

The Green Recovery, 5 November 2020

Heat Decarbonisation, 17 November 2020

Heat Decarbonisation: Hearts and Minds, 16 December 2020

Local Transport: Bicycle Cities and Road User Charging, 9 February 2021

Marine Environment, 18 February 2021

Land Use: Financing Nature-Based Solutions at a Landscape Scale, 30 March 2021

How can international collaboration drive forward our green economic future? 3 November 2021

Skills for a Just Transition, 5 November 2021

Keeping Momentum After Cop 26: Changing the System, 21 January 2022

We would like to thank the many organisations involved in supporting this exciting and unique project, particularly our 2021–2022 supporters.

For more information about our climate work, please contact our Director of Development, Hannah Schlesinger at  hannahs@scifest.co.uk