DECC Youth Advisory Panel

How old will you be in 2050?

Young people are the most important part of the Energy mix

About the Panel

The Panel is about to go into its second session There are 16 panelists ranging different ages, believes, backgrounds, geographical locations Attending monthly meetings in London at the DECC offices Approximately one additional visit in smaller groups at a location in your region to a site of particular interest Offering about 2 hours a week to be involved in online discussion forums or calls in between meetings Blogging on your organisations blog or any other online forums you are involved in

What were we trying to achieve?

Report Aim: An investigation into the Youth response to the UK Energy 2050 Pathways and a call to the Youth community to let the Government know what THEY think. Aimed at starting a debate between young people, policy makers and leading influencers the report follows six months of intensive learning by the Panel of 16-25 year olds, looking at the fairness of major energy sources and the impact that these will have by 2050 both in reducing carbon emissions, and their own impact upon the environment to be inherited by todays and future generations. unique approach has seen young people work with DECC to learn, evaluate and produce recommendations for implementation now, for a fairer future.

Where did we go?

What did we do?

8 meetings 12 visits Panellists covered 35 080 km Produced 3.12 tonnes CO2 (approximately the same CO Drax Coal Power Station produces every 5 seconds)* Input from outside organisations, scientists, lobby organisations.
2

Based on Annual emissions of 20m Tonnes of CO2

Why we need to debate the energy mix? LEGAL COMMITMENT

The Government of the UK has made it a law to reduce the amount of carbon emissions that the country creates (by burning the ancient trees or fossil fuels) so that the balance of the atmosphere is restored and we maintain a healthy balance of gases There is a legal commitment on the country to reduce the amount of CO2 gas released into the air by 80% by the year 2050

 In order to meet the 80% by 2050 target we will need to think of new and innovative ways of creating energy without burning fossil fuels like we are today. If we carry on burning fossil fuels as we are then we will not meet the target reduction. If we do not meet the target reduction it will mean that we break the law. This is why renewable and non fossil fuel technologies are developing quickly so we can meet this target!

 The target relates to the year 2050 and it is mostly the young generations of today who will be around in 2050. If we break the law and do not meet the carbon emissions target then it will be young people today who will be held to account for missing the target and the consequences will be severe. This is why young people are so keen to make sure the UK (and other countries around the world) meet the targets in good time

The Energy of Youth Report

Launched December 2010

The Energy of Youth

Structure: Introduction: Overview, Recommendations What is energy? Energy Generation: Coal; Gas; Nuclear; Renewables (incl. Biomass) Energy Use: Housing; Delivery network, Future scenarios Conclusions

WE ask the government...

Ensure a fair deal for young people in the decision-making process Actively work hard to ensure that Government does not lock young and future generations into ecological debt; Continue engaging in dialogue with the youth constituency and stakeholdership Ensure that the youth perspective is heard, and responded to, by Government

Next Steps...
Further youth engagement- we want to see a panel set up in each country We have spent time writing a report for policymakers now it is time to build on outreach tools and engage other young people A Scottish Youth Advisory Panel

Thank you!
mairimcinnes@gmail.com 07903889703