Tyndall Assembly 2012, Cardiff, Behaviour Change and Innovation

The Tyndall Assembly is an internal conference for the people of the Tyndall Centre partnership, begun with an event open to all public, which is this year a discussion on the topic of behaviour and decarbonisation. This year's Assembly is hosted by Cardiff University and will take place in Cardiff.

Tackling climate change requires innovation: new technologies, behavioural changes, institution transformations and novel ideas. Yet there remain uncertainties and debate about the effectiveness, risks and acceptability of these innovations. Furthermore, while many low-carbon, climate resilient innovations and activities have already been identified, there remain huge challenges to achieving widespread adoption within society – at international, UK, devolved government and local levels. This Assembly will thus focus on the risks, benefits and prospects associated with behavioural change and innovation in multiple contexts and at multiple scales.

The Assembly will start with a public event on the first evening, and the internal conference comprises a mix of keynote and breakout sessions the following day. On the final morning, we will discuss projects to be initiated by our researchers in the coming year. 

The expected outcomes of the Assembly are:

1. To highlight Tyndall researchers’ work and share learning across the Centre and with external stakeholders
2. Raise the profile of the Centre’s newest partner, Cardiff University, and climate change research and activities in Wales (including the Climate Change Consortium of Wales)
3. To stimulate ideas for 1-3 consortium proposals to be developed during the year.
4. To identify opportunities and leaders for high-impact synthesis papers.
5. To follow up on ongoing projects and renew our motivating interactions.

 

Tuesday 11^th September 2012

19:30 -             Tyrene evening meal and introductions

Wednesday 12^th September 2012

09:30 - 17:00   Tyrene Meeting

14:00 - 17:00   Rooms available for non-TyReNe meetings (e.g. high-impact papers) if requested

TYNDALL ASSEMBLY BEGINS

17:00 - 17:30   Registration, coffee/tea and poster session

17:30 - 19:00   ’Behaviour and Decarbonisation’: Open Public Event

Welcome – Prof Hywel Thomas, (Pro-Vice Chancellor, Cardiff University)

Chair – Prof Nick Pidgeon (Cardiff University)

Selection of short (5 min) talks from:

• Peter Davies (Chair, Climate Change Commission for Wales);
• Tom Crompton (WWF);
• Lorraine Whitmarsh (Cardiff University);
• George Marshall - Climate Outreach and Information Network (COIN)
• Prof Xizhe Peng (Fudan Tyndall Centre)

Open panel and audience discussion

19:00 - 20:00   Wine and canapés reception and poster session

Thursday 13^th September 2012

09:00 - 10:15   Plenary: Behaviour Change or Value Change?

• Welcome: Prof Ed Wilding, Head of School, Psychology
• Keynote: Social Marketing & Climate Change (Prof. Ken Peattie (Director - BRASS Centre)
• Commentary on the limitations of social marketing (Adam Corner, Cardiff)

Break

10:45 - 12:45   Plenary: Emerging Issues and Trends

• Shale gas and unconventional fossil fuels (John Broderick, Manchester)
• Public attitudes to whole energy system change (Catherine Butler / Karen Parkhill, Cardiff)
• China's population dynamics and its impact on climate change (Prof Xizhe Peng, Fudan)
• Discussion

Lunch

13:45 - 15:30   Plenary: Tyndall Research in the Global context

• Environment and Development Challenges; NERC funding landscape (Bob Watson)
• Transforming governance and institutions for a Planet under Pressure (Frank Biermann) Tyndall Research in the Global Context (Corinne Le Quéré)
• Discussion

Break

15:45 - 17:00   Parallel Sessions by Theme

To review ongoing projects and identify a focus for the next 12-18 months. Presentations on latest research to be organised by the Theme leaders (if desired).

17:00 – 18.00  Debate: Climate Researcher Travel and Offsetting – Watson vs. Anderson

19:15 - late      Dinner, dancing and (optional) karaoke

Friday 14th September 2012

09:00 - 10:30   Plenary: Updates from and Impacts of Tyndall Work

• Update on Adaptation Sub-Committee and Climate Change Risk Assessment (Jim Hall, Oxford)
• Impacts and costs of sea-level rise around the EU (Sally Brown, Southampton)
• Carbon capture and storage: realising the potential? (Florian Kern, Sussex)
• Discussion of the Centre’s focus for the coming year and beyond, and Tyndall strategy for reducing travel emissions (Corinne to lead)

Break

10:45 - 12:00   Parallel Sessions by Theme

To flesh out ideas for projects/papers emerging from previous day

12:00 - 12:30   Feedback from Breakout Groups

12:30 - 13:00   Soapbox Session

ASSEMBLY ENDS

13:30 - 15:00   Tyndall Council meeting

13:30 - 16:00   Rooms available for follow-on meetings, if requested