UN Ambassador for the Convention on Migratory Species, Sacha Dench, touched down in Scotland yesterday as part of her Round Britain climate challenge to raise awareness of the effects of climate change … and shine a light on the innovators working to solve the crisis.
Flying in on an electric paramotor, Sacha flew over the Kelpies before landing nearby and visiting Celtic Renewables – Scotland’s first biorefinery plant – where she met Martin Tangney OBE, Founder of Celtic Renewables, Gillian McKee (MSP), Linlith-Go–Solar, Climate Conscious Entrepreneurs Edinburgh and Fuel Change apprentices and pupils from Larbert High School to talk about their My Carbon Zero Project.
Sacha also met Mark Stewart, Head of Energy, Infrastructure and Sustainability at Johnston Carmichael, Elaine Ford from Planet Rewild and Dr. Murray Collins, CEO of Space Intelligence during her ‘flying visit’.
In June, Sacha began her world record expedition from the host city of COP26, Glasgow. Since then, she has flown across Britain stopping off to talk to people involved in addressing the effects of climate change. A compilation of these stories will be presented at COP26 the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November.
Sacha Dench said: “I am delighted to be back in Scotland and visiting the beautiful capital and surrounds. I am looking forward to meeting people who are truly focused on answers to the climate crisis – not problems – and as such are inspirations to all.
“We’re trying to answer the question: ‘We drove the Industrial Revolution; can we drive the Green Revolution too? As part of this expedition, we have been investigating how climate change is affecting different regions of the country and showing in a visually stunning and exciting way what is happing to help cut carbon and preserve and restore our environment.”
Professor Martin Tangney OBE Founder of Celtic Renewables said: “We were thrilled to host Sacha here at Celtic Renewables as part of this ambitious round Britain Climate Challenge.
“In our view, COP26 must move us from justifying “why” we need to tackle climate change, to determining “how”, and Sacha’s expedition shining a spotlight on the people and initiatives helping us achieve Net Zero, is helping set this direction of travel.
“Celtic Renewables firmly believe we are part of the Net Zero future, and in bringing our first plant into operation we will show that low-carbon biotechnology can be both commercially sustainable and environmentally sustainable. Celtic Renewables is part of a global bio-based economy, and our patented technology can and will play an important role in achieving Net Zero across the world .”
Celtic Renewables patented low-carbon technology converts unwanted and low-value biological materials, such as by-products from whisky distilling, into high-value, low carbon chemicals which can replace petrochemicals currently used in the thousands of products we use every day from cleaning materials to food production.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn concluded: “We are honoured that Sacha will take in the view of our world-famous Kelpies as part of her round Britain climate challenge.
“Falkirk Council is committed to working towards Net Zero by 2030 and is a key partner in the recently launched Forth Valley for Net Zero campaign, an initiative which brings public and private sectors together and will highlight all the great initiatives by businesses, educational establishments, and our local communities to help us achieve this target.”
Sacha hopes to succeed in achieving a Guinness World Record for the greatest distance flown by electric paramotor in a 30-day period.