Heriot-Watt University holds industry day to tackle environmental risk management

Representatives from the UK’s leading environmental, climate change and energy bodies and organisations are to join industry colleagues and academic experts at Heriot-Watt University in the New Year, to discuss the challenges of effectively managing environmental risk.

The University is hosting a risk management industry day on 20 January 2011, which will focus on key issues in three main areas: Climate Change, Energy and the Environment and the potential impact of factors such as flooding, minimising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and energy generation and supply.

Registration for this event entitled, ‘Heriot-Watt Industry Day: Risk & Opportunities’ - www.hw.ac.uk/industry-day has now opened and will take place at the Heriot-Watt campus in the Edinburgh Conference Centre. The packed programme features leading academics and research experts from the University, government and industrial authorities and professional colleagues in industry.

Delegates will have the opportunity to learn more about the industry’s experience and requirements and how the University has responded to business needs by providing innovative solutions for the effective reduction and management of risk. Its academics will demonstrate opportunities and solutions to mitigate risk.

Dr Mike Cox, Director of Knowledge Exchange and conference organiser said

“Our goal is to stimulate debate across a range of disciplines in the management of risk. Heriot-Watt is at the forefront in the area of risk and our day will showcase some of our innovative initiatives in a variety of risk areas. We are hoping that this will open discussions on the many ways in which we can work together in future collaborations that provide opportunities to mitigate the challenges of risk."

“The University has a long standing reputation in business for innovation and quality, expertise, knowledge transfer and world-class research. Risk management is an integral part of today’s society and this one-day conference will demonstrate the contributions Heriot-Watt makes in providing relevant solutions in the area of risk.”

Confirmed speakers include Malcolm Fergusson, Director of Climate Change, Environmental Agency; Gordon McGregor, Energy & Environment Director, Scottish Power; Mark Mathieson, Director of Distribution at Scottish and Southern Energy; Professor John Mitchell OBE, Director of Climate Science, UK Met Office; Professor Jim Skea, Research Director at the UK Energy Research Centre; Richard Heaton, Director of Exploration at Cairn Energy Plc; and Professor James Curran, Director of Science & Strategy, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

For more information and to register for this free conference, please visit: www.hw.ac.uk/news-events/events/january

Alternatively contact: Sue Campbell, Communications Manager, Heriot-Watt University, t: 0131 451 3920 e: s.campbell@hw.ac.uk