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Climate / How can we reach net zero? Shetland News hosts climate change event

HOW can we square the circle of being heavily reliant on fossil fuels in Shetland while the necessity to decarbonise our lives becomes more urgent by the day?

And what role does new oil and gas explorations around Shetland play in this scenario? Can Rosebank and Cambo be justified as part of Scotland’s route to net zero?

These are some of the questions that will be discussed at an event at the Islesburgh Community Centre in Lerwick next Wednesday, hosted by Shetland News.

Titled What is the best route to reach net zero? the panel discussion coincides with the visit of the chief executive of the environmental think tank Uplift, Tessa Khan, to Shetland.

Uplift is campaigning to stop the development of the large Rosebank oil and gas field to the northwest of Shetland. Our panel of local experts will spell out different routes and models on how to reduce the isles’ massive carbon footprint.

On the panel are:

  • Claire Ferguson, Shetland Islands Council’s team leader for climate change strategy;
  • Daniel Gear, general manager responsible for the Shetland operation of energy logistics company Peterson;
  • Tessa Khan, executive director of climate action organisation Uplift;
  • Gunther Newcombe, Orion Energy Hub project coordinator.

Managing editor of Shetland News Hans J Marter said: “Whether you like it or not, the climate emergency in all its many aspects is quickly becoming the most important news story there is, and therefore it is crucial to understand what exactly it is we are talking about.

“No country in the western world is on track to meet its own climate targets and, in fact, globally carbon emissions are still rising.

“A recent report before Shetland Islands Council estimated the isles’ carbon footprint at 900,000 tCO2e annually. This includes the local fossil fuel industry sector but the biggest share of that comes from agriculture and damaged peat lands.”

The event in Room 11 at Islesburgh will be held on 25 January at 7.30pm. Entrance is free.

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