Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson: 'ACP invaluable in our fight to reduce carbon in Scotland'

The challenges of meeting Scotland's aggressive carbon reduction targets were highlighted at the launch of the newly formed Association of Carbon Professionals in Edinburgh yesterday evening at the Lothian Chambers just off the Royal Mile.

Around 100 business leaders, carbon professionals, investors, academics and students joined Mr Stevenson and the ACP Board to celebrate the launch and mark the beginning of an exciting new professional association supporting the transition to a low carbon economy.

The ACP has been set up by a group of professionals working in carbon management and carbon finance to fill a much-needed platform for discussion, training and sharing of experiences. The British Council, the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI), Carbon Masters and Edinburgh University is supporting it.

Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson presented the first accreditation awards in Scotland to Edinburgh Napier University and Edinburgh Airport, two organisations that have achieved stiff carbon reduction targets.

Mr Stevenson said:

Founding board members Andy Kerr
& Kevin Houston listen on as
Mr Stevenson launches the ACP

”We are committed to tackling climate change and already Scotland is leading the way developing a low carbon, sustainable society. Greater collaboration between organisations from across industries and sectors is crucial to support the transition to a low carbon economy. I welcome the launch of the Association of Carbon Professionals – the expertise and support of the new body will be invaluable in our fight to reduce carbon emissions in Scotland.”

Andy Kerr, Executive Director of the Edinburgh Centre is a founding member of the ACP Board. He said:

”Scotland is leading the world in the race to a low carbon economy with a policy framework, carbon targets and critical mass of carbon-reducing professionals that cannot be rivalled anywhere else. The launch of the Association of Carbon Professionals is essential in harnessing the power of these groups so that they can address the challenges of meeting Scotland's aggressive carbon reduction targets together.”

The launch event follows the ACP Annual Conference 2012 which brought together a wide range of professionals working to reduce carbon emissions; from carbon and energy managers, traders, investors, offset providers, legal experts and accountants, through to consultants, policy makers and academic researchers. Among the issues addressed were mandatory carbon reporting and labelling for products, carbon footprinting, and the implementation of the Green Deal for businesses and homes. Speakers hailed from organisations ranging from Scottish Power, DECC, Scottish Government, Carbon Masters, Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation and the Carbon Trust.

Join the ACP and find out more about membership benefits & upcoming events: www.carbonprofessional.org/