Net Zero Wales & Regenerative Futures - HEFCW funded event

Net Zero Wales and Regenerative Futures

11-14 July at the Centre for Alternative Technology

What if the five ways of working* were fully embedded in all organisations and sectors in Wales?

Step into green time and space with The Open University in Wales to help us imagine a carbon positive, regenerative future in the beautiful Welsh countryside.

A four-day eco-sabbatical to listen, collaborate and co-create opportunities for integrating regenerative and carbon positive skills into key sectors. The first of a new series of innovative conversations on the future we long for.

Sustainability pioneers, practitioners and those with sustainability and net zero responsibilities within the workplace are invited to share their unique perspectives, listen, discuss and experience time in nature together in a series of conversations to explore the intersections in this essential, emergent field.

Join us in an open-spirited, enabling environment for the opportunity to reflect, refresh and reconnect to nature. Drop-in or stay for the whole four days. Leave feeling inspired and energised to transition your home, workplace, community, and economy to regenerative and carbon positive skills. Know you are part of a supportive community of practice and re-experience that you are part of nature!

What if …

… the *five ways of working (long-term thinking, prevention, involvement, collaboration and integration) optimise the future plans and activities of all organisations?

… cross-sector perspectives amplify our individual efforts to live regeneratively?

… regenerative systems produce abundance?

… education providers were visionary regenerative leaders?

… shared connections and networks enable rapid learning in skills for regenerative living?

Bring your curiosity, your experience, your expertise, your passion and your vision for a regenerative future, to build momentum together!

To be held at the Centre for Alternative Technology. Nestled in the stunning UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere in Mid Wales, The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is a world-renowned eco-centre that demonstrates practical solutions for a sustainable future.

Programme Schedule

*Programme subject to change*

Monday 11 July - Net Zero Wales

Today we focus in on what Net Zero Wales means, what it might look like and what first steps we might want to take to get there and beyond!

• 1000-1200 arrival, registration, site orientation and treasure hunt!

• 1200-1230 Care Circle
• 1230-1315 lunch
• 1315-1330 Welcome: Dr Victoria Hands Director of Sustainability and Stephen Peake, Professor of Climate and Energy, The Open University
• 1330-1415 Net Zero Wales: Kara Bennett, Net Zero Wales Programme Manager, OU in Wales

Join us to explore the relevant legislation and guidance and how that can inform our actions at home, at work and in our communities

• 1415-1430 Nature blast
• 1430-1730 Workshop: Departmental Action Planning for Net Zero and sustainability

Join Sheri-Leigh Miles from NETpositive Futures and Phoebe Machin Net Zero Engagement Manager, OU in Wales

Find out what the NETPositive Futures action planning tool offers and contribute to its development and application

• 1630-1645 Nature blast
• 1730-1800 Free time
• 1800-2000 Supper and talk

‘How bad are bananas – innovation to carbon conversations easy’ with Dr Emma Fieldhouse, Future We Want and UKRI Women in Innovation award winner 2020/21

Tuesday 12 July Skills for Net Zero

Today we focus on imagining the skills required for a rapid and just transition to Net Zero

• 0800 Care Circle
• 0830-0900 Breakfast
• 0900-0930 Walk and Talk
• 0930-10.00 Skills – the Open University approach: Stephen Peake, Professor of Climate and Energy, The Open University

What if education providers were visionary regenerative leaders? Join us to understand how to capitalise on the lessons from a disruptive innovation for social justice 50 years ago, can help shape the radical transformation needed to secure climate safety

• 1000-1230 Skills Roundtable

What if cross-sector perspectives amplify our individual efforts to live regeneratively? Join Karolina Rucinska and Sarah Hopkins from Cannal Cymru, Dr Alison Parken from Cardiff University and an Industry speaker to listen, and co-create opportunities for employers, FE and HE to integrate regenerative and carbon positive skills into key sectors.

• 1230-1315 lunch
• 1315-1330 Imagining the voice of nature
• 1330-1730 Teach-in: How bad are bananas? How to have carbon conversations anywhere

Join Dr Emma Fieldhouse from Future We Want to learn how to play the bananas game with anyone

• 1730-1800 Free time
• 1800-2000 Supper and talk

Inner Development Goals to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals with Rhian Sherrington, Founder, Women in Sustainability network

Wednesday 13 July The five ways of working

Today we explore the possibilities from adopting five ways of working: long-term, prevention, involvement, collaboration and integration. Drawn from the Well-being of Future Generations Act

• 0800 Care Circle
• 0820-0900 Breakfast
• 0900-0930 Walk and Talk
• 0930-1045 Workshop: The five ways of working

What if the five ways of working (long-term thinking, prevention, involvement, collaboration and integration) optimise the future plans and activities of all organisations? Join Dr Victoria Hands and Anne Callen to delve deeper into the five ways of working with examples of how this can support a just transition

• 1045-1100 Nature blast
• 1100-1230 Future Generations

What if the small nation of Wales inspires all countries to place the well-being of future generations at the heart of their of Government? Join Jane Davidson, Pro Vice-Chancellor Emeritus, UWTSD, Author of #futuregen: Lessons from a Small Country and former Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing in Wales to discuss Wales’ revolutionary approach.

• 1230-1315 lunch
• 1315-1330 Imagining the voice of future generations
• 1330-1530 Workshop: Regenerative Futures

What if shared connections and networks enable rapid learning in skills for regenerative living? Join Andy Middleton of TYF Founder and Chief Exploration Officer to lead us on an exploration of the power of business to make a positive difference with inspirational examples

• 1530-1600 Nature blast
• 1600-1730 Eco-anxiety and Care Circle – learn how to care for self and others in a time of climate and ecological crisis with our Care Circle host Chukumeka (Chukes) Maxwell. Practise having courageous conversations and find out what training is available to ensure we are all First Aid trained for physical and mental well-being
• 1730-1800 Free time
• 1800-2000 Supper and talk
• CAT speaker

Thursday 14 July Regenerative futures

Today we expand our focus beyond Net Zero to Regenerative Futures and ask you to imagine with us, a carbon positive, regenerative future

• 0800-0830 Care Circle
• 0830-0900 Breakfast
• 0900-0930 Walk and Talk
• 0930-1230 Open Conversation

Facilitated by Dr Emma Dewberry, Dr Victoria Hands, Professor Stephen Peake and Anne Callan

We’ve spent time together over the last few days or perhaps you have just arrived and are comfortable in an open space. This is our opportunity to coproduce, to allow something to emerge from beyond our individual and even our collective consciousness. Let’s start some open conversations…….

• 1230-1315 lunch
• 1315-1330 Listening for emergence
• 1330-1415 Regenerative futures start here and now……

What if regenerative systems produce abundance? Join Peter Harper and Professor Stephen Peake to explore the lessons learned from renewable energy pioneers and places like CAT and the emergence of regenerative futures

• 1415-1430 Nature blast
• 1430-1530 Going forward together….

FAQ's

Who is organising the event?

The Net Zero Wales and Regenerative Futures event is an official event that is being hosted by the STEM Department at the Open University.

Will there be accommodation available?

For staff and guest speakers we would like to invite to stay at CAT in a twin room with breakfast, lunch and dinner covered by us. There will also be teas and coffees during breaks. There is a small shop on site and also a bar in the evening which is to be covered by the individual.

Alternatives: There are B&B’s with prices ranging from £60 to £120 based on availability at the individuals expense.

There is a local Campsite opposite CAT: Lwyngwern Farm, Pantperthog next to river/Afon Dulas. Tents and standard caravans £15p/n or extra £4 if electricity needed. single occupancy tent £11. Touring caravans £18p/n.

Covid policy – please do not attend in person if you have any illness, please take a Lateral Flow Test before arrival and respect different levels of comfort and proximity.

The Open University in Wales Policy

CAT's Covid Policy

Will transport be covered?

The Open University will not be covering transportation costs however please find below sustainable travel options.

What is public transport like getting to CAT?

The nearest train station is Machynlleth, located 3.4 miles from CAT. Taxi transport is very limited especially around school times as local taxi companies have regular bookings. There are two buses - the T2 or 34 bus to CAT from Machynlleth. They run approximately every hour, Monday to Saturday and less frequently on Sunday. During the weekend the T2 bus is free.

Can I drive to the event and is there parking?

Attendees can drive to CAT - we encourage the use of public transport and vehicle sharing where possible. There is limited parking in the bottom car park at the bottom of the quarry, from where you can take the water-balanced funicular railway to accommodation and venues.

What time do I need to be there and do I need to stay for the full 4 days?

We actively welcome all attendees to attend the full four day event. It is a great way to network, expand your sustainability knowledge and also step back into nature. However, we are aware that it may not always be possible to attend for the full four days and therefore we welcome you to attend for as long as you can, in full half day slots if possible.