On Monday 24 November, Professor Mette High and Senior Policy Fellow Dr Cornelia Helmcke were invited to participate in a review of the Scottish Parliament’s draft Climate Change Plan. Organised by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) and Scotland Beyond Net Zero, this full-day event brought together academics from all over Scotland – including strong representation from our colleagues at the Scottish Research Alliance for Energy, Homes and Livelihoods and fellow CEE Researcher Dr Lydia Cole – to provide expert analysis and comment on the draft plan.
Posting on her LinkedIn page, Mette wrote of her contributions, “I encouraged MSPs to carefully consider how this Climate Change Plan can be not only a crucial pairing of environmental aspirations with key delivery mechanisms, but also a plan that people across Scotland really identify with and want. To achieve this requires committed public engagement, the building of trust, and taking seriously what life is like for people. And, it requires Government action in response to people’s inputs, so they experience that their contributions are listened to and results in change. Otherwise, it will be felt like box ticking and a Holyrood that is far removed from life as lived. An equitable and inclusive journey to a Net Zero Scotland by 2045 needs to involve all of us.”
Policy engagement forms a key pillar for us here at the Centre for Energy Ethics. From the PEPtalk series, hosted collaborative policy submissions, to our world-class MSc in Energy Policy and Finance, we have strived to make our researchers’ voices heard at the highest levels. Mette and Cornelia’s invitation to this event serves as well-deserved recognition of their own research and expertise in the spheres of climate justice and energy transitions. It also serves as a wonderful acknowledgement of the influence within the wider community of both the Centre for Energy Ethics and the Scottish Research Alliance for Energy, Homes and Livelihoods.
The Scottish Parliament’s draft Climate Change Plan is currently open for public consultation. The call for contributions closes 29 Jan 2026. Please get in touch with Dr Cornelia Helmcke ([email protected]) if you would like to collaborate with the CEE on a submission.
