NYC Mayor’s Office Advisor talks climate strategy at ECCI

Lolita Jackson, Special Advisor to the NYC Mayor’s Office on Climate Policy and Programmes, visited ECCI last week to address members of The Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN).

SSN members gathered to share knowledge and experience on strategy development and delivery - hearing about experiences of setting targets, galvanising leadership and embedding a credible blueprint to deliver on the Climate Change Plan.

The architect of the One NYC plan, which galvanised leadership to build resilience and deliver a green new deal for the region, Ms Jackson spoke of her own extensive experience helping the City of New York put together its climate and resilience strategy while coping with real climate emergencies such as Hurricane Sandy.

Ms Jackson emphasised the need to work on the basis of shared context and positive benefits and that delivering on a sustainability strategy can and should spell opportunities that cut across political lines and policy siloes.

Following the keynote, SSN steering group members took the stage, leading a panel discussion to share their own strategy work. Lesley Hinshelwood (South Lanarkshire Council), Dr Mark Williams (Scottish Water), Lorna Jarvie (South Ayrshire Council) and Dr Mairi Davies (Historic Environment Scotland) each responded to the enquiry: ‘Has your strategy performed and transformed?’ and shared their own experience and top tips on effective buy-in from key stakeholders.

The Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN), co-delivered by ECCI, is Scotland’s largest network of public sector sustainability professionals. SSN helps Scotland’s councils, health services, universities and other public bodies work together on ambitious, evidence-based climate action and adaptation.

Want to know more about SSN?