Fife COP event explores climate action issues

The Fife Environmental Partnership (FEP) held the Fife COP (Conference of the Partners) on Tuesday, May 20, at the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline.

The event brought together around 100 leaders and professionals from across Fife’s public and third sectors and other partners, exploring ways to increase the scale and pace of climate change action and discuss opportunities and adaptations that will make Fife more resilient in the future.

A key focus this year was on the role public bodies play in tackling climate change and how they can develop place-based approaches for needs, services and investments, while different approaches as to how to fund climate action measures were also discussed.

A series of deep dive workshops addressed several other pressing topics, such as Fife’s Climate Action Plan and how Fife is utilising technology to support decision-making in the journey to net zero; looking at a biodiversity strategy for Fife to protect and restore the region’s natural environment; how we can strengthen climate resilience across Fife through collaboration and innovation; and how we can empower communities to lead the way in tackling the climate and nature crises.

Speakers at the conference included:

• Ken Gourlay, Chief Executive, Fife Council
• John Wincott, Chair, Fife Environmental Partnership
• Councillor Jan Wincott, Spokesperson - Environment and Climate Change, Fife Council
• Ed Heather-Hayes, Head of Development at Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, Co-chair of Nature Finance Certification Alliance
• Dr Gemma Bone-Dodds, Scottish National Investment Bank
• Diarmaid Lawlor, Associate Director, Place, Housing & Economic Investment, Scottish Futures Trust

Ken Gourlay, Chief Executive of Fife Council, and Chair of Fife Council’s Addressing the Climate Emergency board, said: "It is fantastic that Fife has again hosted its own COP event, and it demonstrates our commitment to tackling the climate emergency in Fife.

“For anyone in doubt, there’s clear evidence that our climate is changing, and we need to encourage people in the council and beyond to think about the climate impact of everything we’re doing.

“We are limited in terms of what we can do as a council alone in terms of staff and resource, but there are huge opportunities out there and it’s incumbent on us to look at these big opportunities.

“By working with partners and communities, we can build greater climate resistance and make some difference to the future.

“Fife Council is doing lots of work to tackle the climate emergency, and climate change is one of the three key priorities in our Plan4Fife.

“But events like the Fife COP offer an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the progress we’ve made, to look to the future at what we can scale-up, going further and faster, and to build on our achievements so far.”

The Fife Environmental Partnership includes Fife Council, NatureScot, Fife College, Fife Rural Partnership, NHS Fife, SEPA, University of St Andrews, Scotland’s Rural College, Fife Coast & Countryside Trust, Scottish Water, Forest & Land Scotland, Ore Valley Housing Association, Kingdom Housing Association, Fife Voluntary Action, Green Action Trust and Fife Communities Climate Action Network.

John Wincott, Chair of the Fife Environmental Partnership, said careful consideration and planning will be needed to support the increased pace and scale of change needed in the years to come.

“The challenge can seem overwhelming to individuals, so coming together in partnership is key, supporting each other to make lasting changes and build resilience,” he added.

“The room at Fife COP was full of people who are doing great things, and we must thank them, to support them, to challenge them, and to share expertise and knowledge.

“People saying things really doesn’t change anything, but what I like about Fife is that we get on and do things and take action.”

Councillor Jan Wincott, Fife Council Spokesperson – Environment and Climate Change, concluded: “It is great to see a wide variety of organisations coming together at the conference, and it’s important that we use this opportunity to build on this strong partnership and tackle the climate emergency in Fife.”

“Through our policies, projects and service delivery Fife Council can influence, support and lead all of Fife to tackle the emergency.

“But Fife Council cannot do this alone, and only by working together can we tackle both our impact on the climate and the changing climate’s impact on us.

“Our partnerships with other public sector organisations, local businesses and our communities is crucial, and Fife Council commits to working with everyone in Fife to meet our ambitions.”

Our group photo shows (left to right) Ken Gourlay, Chief Executive Fife Council; Pam Ewen, Head of Planning, Fife Council; Ed Heather-Hayes, Head of Development at Fife Coast and Countryside Trust; John Wincott, Chair of Fife Environmental Partnership; Diarmaid Lawlor, Associate Director, Place, Housing & Economic Investment, Scottish Futures Trust; and Councillor Jan Wincott, Fife Council Spokesperson - Environment and Climate Change.

You can view a short video featuring some of the speakers here.