The UK’s best-known environmentalist, Jonathan Porritt CBE, has been confirmed as the key note speaker at the University of Aberdeen’s second annual Conference on Sustainable Development and the Oil and Gas Industry to take place on Thursday November 21, 2002.
Sustainable Development – the process needed to achieve a sustainable society - is now an issue of significant importance to the oil and gas industry. This one day conference brings together some of the UK’s leading experts in the fields of sustainable development and the oil and gas industry and will allow delegates working in this sector an unparalleled opportunity to discuss sustainable development and its relevance to the industry.
Jonathan Porritt is one of the best known and most influential advocates for the environment and was appointed CBE in 2000 for services to environmental protection. The conference offers an important forum where his views on sustainable development in general, and particularly in the context of the oil and gas industry, may be heard and debated.
Other confirmed speakers at the event include Jim Campbell, Department of Trade and Industry; Fred Dinning, Scottish Power; Noranne Ellis, Scottish Natural Heritage; David Graham, Royal Bank of Scotland; Mark Hope, Shell and Mel Young, The Big Issue who will bring a variety of perspectives to bear on wide ranging aspects of sustainable development. The conference format will be talks from the speakers followed by a roundtable forum, chaired by Jonathan Porritt.
Professor Jan Bebbington, University of Aberdeen Department of Accountancy & Finance, organiser of the event in conjunction with BP and Genesis Oil and Gas Consultants said: “At this our second annual conference we will be looking to build on general awareness of sustainable development within the oil and gas industry and focus on the priority areas in which the sector can contribute. The presence of Jonathan Porritt in Aberdeen for this important event is a great boost to the debate around sustainable development.”