Friday 29th April 2016, 12.00-14.00, Roger Stevens Building, Lecture Theatre 21

Welcome to ‘On Your Marks’ 2016, the knowledge and networking series brought to you by the University of Leeds and Marks & Spencer.

UK electricity demand is increasing while the generating capacity of our aging power infrastructure declines. With dwindling global fossil fuel reserves, instability in many fossil fuel-producing regions and the need to decarbonise power generation in the face of the threat of climate change, the need to think about how we use our energy and where we source it is urgent.

The UK has made legally-binding commitments to deliver 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. Currently, just 5% of our power is renewably sourced. But what challenges do businesses of different sizes face when considering their energy use? Can we do more to use less? How aware are we of domestic energy alternatives, such as biogas or ambitious wind and tidal industry projects? And are we, as businesses and consumers, ready to pay for it?

M&S has partnered with Future Biogas in purchasing 35,000 Mega-Watt hours of biomethane certificates, a move which will reduce its carbon footprint by over 6,400 tonnes and source the equivalent amount of energy to heat 15 M&S Simply Food stores all year round.

Join us as Jens Wolf, Regulation and Markets Director from Drax Power and Maria Spyrou, M&S’ Energy Efficiency Programme Manager, explore how we can embrace energy efficiency, the role of renewables and some of the challenges associated with change – along with expert insights from Professor Wändi Bruine de Bruin, of Leeds University Business School, on understanding and informing consumer behaviour around energy and climate change. The event will be hosted by Tim Cockerill, Professor of Efficient Energy Utilisation, at the University of Leeds.

Programme:

11:45 Event opens, registration, tea and coffee

12:00 Welcome and short presentations from the panel

12.35 Over to you: Question & Answer

13:05 Refreshments and networking reception

14.00 Close