Draft Version

Highland Environmental Forum

Highland Climate Change Declaration Working Group

MEETING MINUTES

10.00 am – 12.00 pm, Tuesday 28th October 2014. Fairways House

Present: Alison Craig (AC), Home Energy Scotland/Changeworks & Highland Environmental Network (HEN)(Joint-Chair); Daniel Greig (DG), Highland Council; Caireen Ros (CR), Home Energy Scotland /Changeworks; Chris Donald (CD), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Jo Ellen, HEN (minutes)

1.0.
2.0 / Welcome and Apologies
There were apologies from Stephen Carr (SC), The Highland Council (THC) (Joint-Chair); Daniel Johns (DJ), Resource Efficient Scotland (RES)/Changeworks; Vanessa Halhead (VH), HEN
AC welcomed all present.
Actions from the Previous Meeting
Action 1
DG confirmed the list of dates have been distributed to working group members and draft newsletters will be circulated to members before circulation.
Action 2
DG confirmed that hard copies of the certificate will be produced for the conference and distributed to signatories.
Action 3
CD updated the group of the timescale and scope of the SRDP.
Jo Ellen arrived at 10.20 am and took over the note taking from DG
Action 4
AC confirmed she received an email from DJ with a link to the RES web-site which shows all the businesses who have made the RES Pledge. This has been forwarded on the all the working group members.
Action 5
DG confirmed that Carbon CLEVER attended the Highland Energy Saving Expo on 24/25th October. The next event will be the Carbon CLEVER Conference on 17th November.
Action 6
There was no update on whether DJ has looked into the possibility of attending a Caithness or Lochaber Chamber of Commerce meeting. A discussion followed on the benefits of attending such events with CR emphasising how much networking and sharing of information takes place. DG agreed to speak to Bruce Wares (BW) and SC to look into this option.
Action 7
DG confirmed that Diane Duncan from HIE is attending the CC Conference and this may be an opportunity to discuss HIE involvement further.
Action 8
AC confirmed that Eddie Boyd and SC have met. No detail of the discussions were given.
Action 9
CR advised that as yet she and VH have not been in touch to share information on Social Enterprises.
Action 10
DG was happy to confirm that Inverness Caledonian Thistle became the 50th signatory to the CCD recently. This significant number was publicised in the P&J and other local publications. Drew Hendry is writing to Ross County to invite them to sign up also.
Action 11
CR advised that she has contacted some businesses (primarily those with a transport related focus) to try and find one interested in working with Changeworks to run Individual, Social & Material (ISM) workshops. These are designed to promote positive behaviours in relation to lowering carbon emissions in both individuals and groups. As yet she has not found a volunteer to sign up, although Inverness College have shown some interest. DG advised that his colleague Keith Masson has been in touch with Alex Hilliam (AH), Behaviour Change Specialist at Changeworks to discuss this. AC & DG to discuss this further with AH to try to progress this.
Action 12
DG confirmed that information on FuelGood did go out in the last CCD Newsletter.
Action 13
DG advised that as yet he had not been able to draw up a Flow-Chart to show the process of reporting and support for the CCD web-site. AC, CR and DG to look at this if possible before the next meeting.
Action 14
AC confirmed that the details of case study supplied by George Hogg from SNH were forwarded to CD.
Action 15
AC confirmed that the details of the Boat of Garten Hotel case study had been forwarded on to DG.
Action 16
CD confirmed that SNH are happy to host RES seminars at Great Glen House. Once a date or dates are organised, SNH will also be happy to promote these in conjunction with RES.
Action 17
AC confirmed that a report giving an update on the progress of the HCCD Working Group was completed for the HEF meeting on 18th September.
3.0.
4.0 / Update on:
HEF
DG advised that he had discussed the CCD with a number of people attending the HEF meeting on 18th September. Hopefully as a result of this the RSPB (an original signatory to the Climate Change Declaration in 2010) will sign up to the new CCD shortly..
Energy Saving Expo Weekend
AC gave a brief overview of this two day event on 24/25th October which took place at Eden Court, organised by Scottish Provincial Press (SPP), EST, RES and Carbon CLEVER. She advised that one of the focusses of the event had been to promote Electric Vehicles and this had hopefully been achieved. Discussion would take place with SPP shortly analyse the success of the Expo and to decide whether to do a similar event again, possibly on an annual basis. Those present felt that as technology in this area is rapidly changing, annual events would definitely be beneficial. It was also stressed that for future events the financial savings that businesses can achieve by undertaking some of the measures on show must be made very clear.
The event will feature in SPP publications this week which will hopefully provide positive publicity for this and future events.
Working with Signatories
CR advised that EST will be commencing an intense period of follow-ups with the businesses they work with shortly. This is the opportunity to find out what they have done and what further assistance they need. It was agreed at this point that it would be useful for working group members to have a ‘live’ list of CCD signatories on the web-site so that the CCD could be suggested to those they work with who have not already signed up. DG agreed to set this up and also to advise the working group by email when a new signatory is obtained.
A discussion followed on the way that interested businesses commence their relationship with the CCD. Currently there is a form at events where they can provide contact details and this will then be followed up by an email giving details and how to sign up. Discussion took place if this should be an individual form for each company to complete, possibly with a tick box listing of areas of support required and the benefits of the CCD highlighted. Following a detailed discussion on the alternatives, DG agreed to look at the signing up process.
Discussion followed on the need for company details to be shared with EST, RES and SNH for them to receive the maximum benefits of signing the CCD, if signed up directly by THC. It was stressed that Data Protection would have to be followed strictly and how this is best achieved was discussed. An opt-out box for sharing their details is a possibility, but it would need to be clear that ticking this could restrict the help made available to them. DG to speak to THC Data Protection Officer to clarify the situation.
Discussion followed on the link between the work CR and DJ do with businesses and how they can help to promote the CCD. It was agreed that if they speak to businesses keen to sign up they should with permission pass on their details to THC. DG or one of his colleagues will then go through the process of signing them up. It was emphasised that this recruitment process should be clear to all.
It was agreed that if modifications are made to the process of how new signatories are signed up it would be good to test it with one of the smaller signatories who have recently signed up. DG to look into this.
Promotion
DG advised that a CCD promotional postcard is being produced in time for the CC Conference. This will highlight as succinctly as possible the objectives and benefits of signing up to the CCD. It was suggested that this be double-sided with a list of current signatories on the back, which all agreed would be good. However it was also emphasised how quickly this will go out of date, therefore a PDF digital leaflet was proposed also. This could potentially include company logos and have a link via email to the CCD web-site making it easily accessible for publicity. AC asked that DG circulate the current draft to the working group.
The group then discussed the importance of gaining follow-up information from signatories to help with promotion. The three headline issues were agreed as, the challenges each faced, the output (measures taken) and the outcome (e.g savings). If summarised in a brief way these could be Tweeted effectively or placed on the web-site. Detailed case studies could also be shown for those looking for more specific information. CD suggested that asking about the business advantage gained would also be a good aspect to question during follow-ups. It was agreed that at the next meeting in January the response to follow-ups should be discussed further. Publicity via press releases, buying advertising space, using quotes and case studies, etc are all options. DG also advised that it is hoped that positive information could be put in the Executive magazine next March which has a large readership amongst the business and wider community in the Highlands and Moray.
Finally it was suggested that it would be useful for all the working group to have some CCD publicity material which they could distribute when in appropriate situations. In addition to the paperwork being produced DG advised there are also pens and bottles available. All agreed this was a good idea.
Carbon CLEVER Conference
DG gave an outline of the conference entitled ‘Working Together’ which takes place from 11 am – 4.30 pm on Monday 17th November. During the day there will be:
·  Keynote presentations from five major organisations; The Scottish Government, THC, SSE, NHS Scotland & HIE
·  Workshops reflecting the five themes of the Carbon CLEVER programme; energy, economy, land use, transport and engagement
·  A plenary session
·  A knowledge exchange marketplace
·  Question & answer sessions
Personal invitations have gone out and currently 90 delegates have signed up to attend. The Highland Council Chamber can hold 140, but 90 would still be a good attendance. DG agreed to put a list of all the current confirmed delegates attending to the working group so they can see if any of their contacts are missing.
CD suggested that it would be worthwhile inviting to the conference Abellio, the Dutch company due to take over the Scotrail franchise from 1st April 2015. It would be a good opportunity for them to demonstrate their plans for improving railway links and also for them to learn about how they can fit in with Carbon CLEVER.
DG advised that a number of current signatories are attending and there will also be the potential to recruit new ones. While the latter will be a good outcome of the day it was felt that it would be best to focus on the current signatories at this event, to establish how they are finding the Declaration and what can be done to assist them more. It was suggested that having a couple of Case Studies highlighting positive achievements would be useful. CR suggested Jo Hunt from Knockfarrel Produce and it was also thought that some renewables businesses might be able to help. It was also discussed if three or four company success stories could be highlighted during Drew Hendry’s keynote speech at the event, possibly as a Powerpoint slide. DG to look into the best way to highlight the Declaration during the day conference.
From the discussions it was felt that it would be really useful where possible to emphasis to current signatories during the event that the more information they provide during follow-ups the more help they will be able to receive.
DG advised that the agenda is still in draft format so some amendments may still be made. A discussion followed on the valuable role that EST and RES could play with the transport and land use workshops respectively. DG agreed to check with SC if they can possibly be included in the running of these.
AC highlighted the use of Twitter during the conference last year and asked if it would be used again. DG confirmed that allowing virtual delegates who cannot attend in person to follow the conference is very important to the success of the event. He confirmed that most of the conference will be web-cast live and delegates can Tweet and chat along if they wish. AC queried if Twitter could be used to promote the CCD throughout the day with various ways discussed. DG & AC agreed to think about this further.
Following on the group discussed if Environmental Journalists such as the BBC’s David Millar could help to publicise the event and Carbon CLEVER more widely. DG advised that THC have a new Head of PR and the conference will be discussed with them as soon as possible.
4.0 / Priorities going forward
CD suggested that while the benefits to signatories are important to highlight, it will also be vital to show the wider public benefit th from the changes made, as this is ultimately why Carbon CLEVER and the Declaration have been introduced. AC asked that those present think about the possible public benefits (e.g better air and water quality, health benefits, etc) so this can be discussed in due course. CD asked CR if this is a question that businesses will be asked during their annual follow-ups. CR advised that this could be asked, but it was agreed that the most comprehensive overview of the public benefit may come from this working group in the future.
5.0.
6.0 / AOB
Remote & Rural Collaborative Working
AC advised that HEF and HEN have been looking into how organisations can encourage more people from outwith Inverness to get involved with groups such as this one. Bearing this in mind she suggested it would be useful to get someone from further afield to join this working group, such as an individual from the Lochaber Chamber of Commerce. All agreed this would be a good idea and also the business view would be helpful. Visit Scotland was also suggested. DG to progress this.
Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 27th January 2015, from 10am – 12pm at Fairways House
The meeting finished at 12 pm.

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