Sea powered cars? Scotland's marine economy and the 'just transition'

Geographically, Scotland is blessed with an abundance of natural capital. There is no question that proper and efficient harnessing of Scotland’s natural capital will be absolutely crucial in respect of the Scottish Government’s ambitious (and legally-binding) target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero, and reaching carbon neutrality by 2045.

An example of the technology and innovation that will both be created by and drive this transition was in the news this week.

Having deployed its tidal turbines to power homes in Shetland, where of course Harper Macleod has one of its Scottish bases, for more than five years already, tidal energy company Nova Innovation has now created the first tidal powered electrical vehicle (EV) charging point on the island of Yell.

The innovation provides a new source of clean energy to power vehicles, a type of innovation that will undoubtedly provide food for thought as the UK Government plans to ban petrol cars from 2030 (with the Scottish Government planning a similar ban in 2032).

This kind of green energy (or blue energy for that matter) solution is just one of the ways in which we can harness the country’s natural capital which contributing positively to our climate change and sustainability obligations – and there are many more being developed.

Marine Economy Week 2021 – get involved

This week, Harper Macleod is hosting its first Marine Economy Week, which on Friday turns its attention to offshore wind and marine energy solutions that carry potential in the transition to a greener economy.  Our Energy team specialists will be joined that day by Jason Schofield, Managing Director of Green Marine UK, a leading supplier to the marine renewables industry.

Topics will include consideration of the different planning regimes for onshore and offshore renewables projects; the comparative legal regimes for restoration; and the development of the Scotwind offshore wind programme.

You can register for the session and find out more using the link below.

Marine Economy Week