delivering the future

The challenge we face is in part to give everybody with an interest in the built environment agency to make the change, which requires a sharing of power, a pooling of resources. increasing the windows of opportunity for effective action and innovative collaboration pathways. In Scotland, where do we look for leadership in the built environment? Leaders with a small l as well as leaders with a big L.

Many of us gain legitimacy for our actions from the democracy of citizenship. We are a 6th richest country in the world, but the most unequal in Europe and have some of the poorest insulated homes. That inequality carries risk for delivery of the Just Transition. How do we counter the risk of the perceived ‘cost’ of Transition to foster social breakdown and political polarisation? 

How do we embed equity and consensus into delivery? 

There are some things that only parliament can do and there will be at least four UK and four Scottish elections between now and 2045, many changes of ministers, and rotation of civil servants. How can the sector make it easy for parliament to make strong decisions in a timely manner?

If the construction sector can develop its capability to deliver change independent of government, will it empower ministers and civil servant to make stronger leadership decisions? 

What is the best balance for public bodies between statutory requirements and good practice guidance?

Are Universities an example of change agents that can lead in advance of statutory changes, because they have long-term strategy, funding, expertise and a portfolio? How can they cascade that out? 

What is the role of civil society organisations to develop progressive strategies outside of commercial and political interests, which are thereby easier to adopt?

How can we democratise agency to empower communities to develop creative local solutions without waiting for generic central strategies? How can that tap into the knowledge base held in national bodies?

Videos from the event

These videos are part of a series of films documenting 5 days of participatory Conversations in early 2024 about climate change, nature depletion and how the Scottish Built Environment and Construction sector can deliver Just Transition.

The first film looks at what we can learn from Denmark, which has a national plan to decarbonise construction and regulation for all construction, backed by political consensus and an engaged society. In this film you hear from Tilde Hellsten of the Danish Energy Agency, Jannik Giesekam of Strathclyde University, Ryan Morrison of the STUC and Tara O’Leary, of Scottish Communities Climate Action network, among many others.

The second film looks at how we will deliver the massive change needed in Scotland’s construction sector over the next 20 years to reach Net Zero. In this film you hear from Patrick Harvie, then Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Chiara Fingland of Fife Climate Hub, Rachel Nunn a Stirling Councillor, Doug Morwood of Regenerative Futures among many others.

You can show this film in your organisation to start a discussion about the challenges we face and how we can change the way we live, work and build to deliver the Just Transition by 2045. Please post comments and share.

About the event

Past Event Date: Monday 25th March 2024

Are regional climate change Hubs a key route to channelling change, with increasing capacity and resilience, how can we feed that?

On this last day we will invite participants to self-organise into clusters of interest to discuss new delivery strategies, which they will present to the whole group for comment. 

We are delighted to be joined in the afternoon by Patrick Harvie, Scottish Government Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights.

To give us your input, or just for more information, please email BigConversation@seda.uk.net

This page will be periodically updated when further information for the event becomes available.

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