The FOREcast

Susan Aitken has been Leader of Glasgow City Council, the local government authority for the UK’s fourth largest city, since May 2017. A prominent figure in the local political scene, she has been a key spokesperson for the Scottish National Party on health and social care. Susan led the city through the COVID-19 pandemic, in which Glasgow was the second most affected after London. She was also integral in the city hosting COP26.In this conversation, Susan shares insights about the role of local government in fostering a vibrant, innovative economy, the things civic leaders can do to combat the climate crisis, and the partnerships that cities are forming to hasten transformation. Have a listen to hear about what makes a great city tick and the influence government – local government – has on driving social and economic innovation.We also discuss:How hosting COP26 catalysed genuine progress towards a net zero future in GlasgowHow one of Europe’s preeminent post-industrial cities is emerging as a global innovation centreMore about Glasgow’s leading position in the high tech, including the space race where Glasgow is the second biggest satellite building industry outside of the United StatesHow Glasgow is preventing its innovation economy becoming elitistThe way city leaders are driving economic transformation through partnerships between the public, private and academic sectors.How a unique collaboration between Scotland's eight cities and the Scottish Government is delivering inclusive growth across the region.Selected links:Glasgow’s Industrial history https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/victorian/trails_victorian_glasgow.shtml#:~:text=The%20Industrial%20Revolution%20took%20hold,the%201840s%20formed%20the%20workforceUN outcomes of COP26 in Glasgow https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/cop26Sustainable Glasgow partnership https://sustainableglasgow.org.uk/The Space sector in Scotland https://www.gov.scot/policies/manufacturing/space-sector/Scottish Cities Alliance https://scottishcities.org.uk/UK’s core cities https://www.corecities.com/City Centre Recovery Task Force https://www.gov.scot/publications/report-city-centre-recovery-task-force/

Pen Hadow is a British explorer and ocean conservationist whose commitment to protecting the wildlife and floating ice-reef ecosystem of the North Pole’s international waters has pushed the boundaries of human endeavour, polar exploration, and global engagement on sustainability. He undertook an iconic solo trek on foot from Canada to the North Pole which has never been repeated.Hadow founded 90 North Foundation, an organisation exclusively dedicated to protecting the Arctic, working in association with the non-governmental programme Arctic Mission.A few days before the COP15 biodiversity conference concluded with a historic agreement to protect 30% of land and water by 2030, our host, Basil Demeroutis, interviewed Pen about the need to address biodiversity loss now rather than later. And the potential for the property sector to lead by example.Tune in to discover:- How determination and resilience pushed Pen beyond his limits while walking – and swimming – unsupported, solo, from Canada to the North Pole- Why biodiversity loss in the Arctic has a direct impact on life in cities around the world, including on the value of property investments- What could happen if we lose sea ice, the ‘refrigeration unit’ for the northern hemisphere- How the global economy and global ecosystems are interlinked- Why biodiversity should be a bigger focus of companies’ ESG efforts- What 90 North Foundation is doing to create the largest global reserve for the international - waters that surround the North PoleSelected links from the episode:90 North Foundation: https://www.90northfoundation.org/Current state of sea ice cover: https://earth.gsfc.nasa.gov/cryo/data/current-state-sea-ice-coverWhat is an Arctic Habitat?: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/teaching-wiki/arctic-habitat#:~:text=support%20your%20teaching.-,What%20is%20an%20Arctic%20habitat%3F,%2C%20Finland%2C%20Norway%20and%20Greenland.Ecosystem services: https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Understanding-Conservation/Ecosystem-ServicesPen Hadow: What he saw in the Arctic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5teF3gUfqekCop15: historic deal to halt biodiversity loss by 2030: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/19/cop15-historic-deal-signed-to-halt-biodiversity-loss-by-2030-aoeUN Report: Nature decline in numbers: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/05/nature-decline-unprecedented-report/Connect with Pen Hadow:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/penhadow/Twitter: https://twitter.com/penhadow?lang=en-GBWebsite: https://www.90northfoundation.org/We’d love to hear your thoughts on these topics. Talk to us on Twitter @forepartnership.You can also follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/forepartnership   Or visit our website: forepartnership.com

Julie Hirigoyen is Chief Executive of the UK Green Building Council. She has been at the helm of the UKGBC for almost 8 years, campaigning for environmental causes and championing the sustainability movement within the built environment. Our host, Basil Demeroutis, interviewed Julie soon after she announced she would be stepping down as CEO of UKGBC, providing the perfect opportunity to look back over the past decade and reflect on where the industry needs to go from here. Tune in to discover:The importance of understanding how net zero contributes positively to economic growthWhat Government needs to do to ensure we don’t see too much focus on growth at the cost of controlsWhat does the Whole Life Carbon Roadmap mean for you and how can you join the Race to Zero?Why the new Net Zero Carbon Buildings standard is essential to enable genuine claims and avoid greenwashingWhy leadership is vital in changing hearts and minds to drive real changeSelected links from the episode:The UK GBC Net Zero building standardWhole life carbon roadmapCarbon budget, 400 gigatons, and the UNEP emissions gap reportRace to Zero CampaignConnect with Julie Hirigoyen:LinkedIn | TwitterWe’d love to hear your thoughts on these topics. Talk to us on Twitter @forepartnership.You can also follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/forepartnership   Or visit our website: forepartnership.com