Last month we hosted one of our Climate Co-Lab events. Climate Co-Labs bring senior leaders and decision-makers, from all sectors together to discuss complex issues related to the climate emergency. This time, we focused our discussions on technology with the topic – Will Technology Save Us? Creating a Sustainable and Dynamic Technology Ecosystem. 
 
We heard provocations delivered by Nick Gaskell – Senior Sustainability Investment Analyst at Abrdn, Richard Nimmons, Co-founder and CEO of Carbon Capture Scotland and Chris Ramsey, EV Adventurer, Explorer and Spokesperson at Plugin Life and Pole to Pole EV. The event and discussion was chaired by Heather Bell – Director and Attaché for the US Department of Energy. 
 
Take-home messages: 
 
Technology: 
Technology has a vital role to play and advances quickly. Still, equally there will be times when technology is an interim, imperfect solution – we can’t be completely reliant on technology saving us. We can’t let perfect be the enemy of good. We also need to ensure that we are tackling a crucial root cause of the climate emergency – consumption 
 
Transparency: 
We need transparency throughout the entire technology ecosystem. For innovation – where transparency will help us to accelerate technology and collaborate, to investment – where transparency ensures that our investments are ethical and solutions-focused and finally – for consumers – where transparency leads to consumer trust and prevents misconceptions – how does it work? What can it do? Why? How much does it cost? Lead by Example: 
 
To accelerate we need to lead by example – for innovators and those in consumer-facing roles, we need to get people involved in the solution, to touch it, to see it in action – get them excited about the possibilities and normalise new technology. We need to work with the media to promote positive messages about climate tech solutions and prevent misconceptions. Governments and the public sector need to be honest, transparent and lead by example so that we can achieve the cultural and behavioural changes necessary for a global transition. 
 
This Co-Lab was held in partnership with Embassy of the United States of America, London and with thanks to Cirrus Logic for hosting us all. The Edinburgh Science Climate Co-Lab, and all of our Climate & Sustainability work, are possible due to the generosity of our climate supports Baillie Gifford, Edinburgh Airport, Hitachi Energy, Lumo, Vattenfall Business Solutions UK and Wood Mackenzie. 
 
You can read notes from all of our previous Climate Co-Lab Events here.