Transcription:
So good afternoon, everyone. This is Audrey Russo, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, and thrilled to have everyone join us here on a Friday. I do want to say that I think that we have broken zoom. And probably that's a good thing in many ways, which means that we've had over 6000 individuals join us. But right now we're hearing that people are trying to log in, and it says that we're full. So it's a good thing that we are recording it so that we can share it with others, because this is an exciting day to have a conversation about all things that are across the pond. And I'm pretty excited about that. But just in case to say, you know, I think we may have broken zoom. I don't know why. And we're trying to figure it out on the back end. So as I do every day, just want to give a shout out to Huntington bank, thanking them for their work with us across this region, and their engagement in all things civic oriented, as well as their business strategies and tactics and supporting small companies and large companies. They've been great friends of ours right from the onset and help us with a lot of fun experiments in terms of telling stories, and giving exposure to all things that are related in southwestern Pennsylvania, also 40 by 80. You're going to hear more about that. That's a wholly owned subsidiary of the Pittsburgh Technology Council. And that is our nonprofit arm, you're going to hear more about apprenticeships and tech opportunities, as well as our continued work and helping with entrepreneurs. So Jonathan curse things with us today, and he is really looking spiffy. He's our Vice President of Marketing and media and all things storytelling, and he's wearing quite a dapper bow tie. Where'd you get that bow tie? Jonathan?
Found it online. I really love the union jack and I needed to bow tie for it. So it was actually through Amazon, believe it or not,
oh my gosh, okay, because we planned one, but
they didn't have a British. They didn't have a union jack. So
okay, I know you tried. I know you always try to go local. So that's awesome. So we've muted your microphones, there's an opportunity for you to chat. And we'll monitor those questions as well. And then on top of that, this is not an opportunity for you to sell your wares. We're just going to focus today on all things that matter to our guests. So I'm going to bring to the forefront right now. Hanna young she is the deputy Consul General, the British Consulate and Andrew horden Hordern, and he's the vice consul prosperity and economic polity policy. Eat prosperity is like my favorite word. So really very cool in your title. So I want to welcome to the program, Hannah and Andrew, thank you for joining us. I know this is late in the afternoon on Friday. Right what it's about what two o'clock?
It's we're based in New York, Audrey. So that's right, in the same timezone. Thankfully. That's
right. That's right. I always forget, I've you know, I bet you probably would like to be in London right now. So, um, we're, you know, welcome to the program. And we're actually going to talk about co p 26. And I want to talk about the British Consulate and the work that you do, you know, we've had the pleasure of working with you on, you know, an excellent mission to in the UK right before COVID. It was actually like, two or three months before, before COVID, we had amazing trip, took companies, you know, everywhere from London to Manchester to Cardiff met, people talked about lots of strategies on ways companies can, you know, have their presence there. And all the opportunities were really blown away, particularly what's going on in Manchester since the last time I had been there. So it's just overall really exciting and the partnerships and the opportunities for business development, bi directionally is is really, totally exciting and doable. That's what we're excited about. So we're happy for post COVID. So let's talk about your services, though. Let's just say just set the table so that everyone knows what it is that you do in case they don't.
Well, shall I kick off and I'll turn to enter in a second. Thanks, psyche to the Pittsburgh tech Council for having us on. And I would echo your messages about the warmth of the relationship both between our two countries, but also between the continent and the work that you do in Pittsburgh. So really delighted to be on the show. As you as you mentioned, I'm the Deputy Consul General at the British Consulate. We're based in New York, but we cover New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Fairfield County in Connecticut. And we are essentially here to support and further the UK government's objectives in the US but also So to understand where we can partner with the US to achieve common goals, and I know we're going to talk about climate in a bit, but we're also very focused on the trade relationship, strengthening and deepening the economic relationship between our two countries. And we're also really keen to support the US and learn from the US and share best practice across both sides of the pond on other important initiatives like diversity and inclusion, like arts and culture, were particularly being based in New York, obviously, we, you know, we have such a richness and a vibrant community to tap into. I'll let Andrew introduce himself now. But just to say, again, thank you very much for having us on the show. Andrew, have you been?
Absolutely Have you been? Have you held up during COVID and being in New York, have you been to London or back to England at all?
So I actually arrived in September, during the midst of the pandemic, and Jordan and a husband and we upped sticks from the UK over to New York, I have to say, moving transatlantic, in normal times is pretty stressful, but it's on a completely different level, when you're doing it in the midst of a pandemic, but I'm very glad to be here. And I will be here for at least four years, and I'm really looking forward to the posting. But it's been a challenge, I think, for all of us, and obviously, at the consulate, you know, we're so used to getting out and about, including to cities like Pittsburgh, so it's been frustrating, but it's also been an opportunity for us, you know, we're very conscious that in many respects, we can create more of a global transatlantic community, albeit with you know, timezones needing to be lined up, you know, we don't need to have people getting on planes to come out here for example, in to, to interact with yourselves and with others. So, you know, there are, there are there are some aspects to COVID that has been, you know, that has been good for the consulate. But, you know, we're and we're continuing to work through the challenges as I think everybody is, at the moment.
For Good, good for you. That's quite a story that'll go in, that'll go in the history of your passport journeys. So welcome. And I'm glad you're here for four years, we have plenty of time to work together. So now let's just go over to Andrew. Andrew, let's talk about yourself. And then we're going to talk about some of the things that both of you do.
Excellent. Thanks very much. My name is Andrew Horton, I work on climate policy and a bit of education links as well. And the reason why I'm particularly bring up the education links is that one of the programs we work on is the Marshall Scholarship Program, which brings 40 to 50 postgraduate students over to the UK and Hara and I work on this program. So Hannah already has her first link to Pittsburgh, because this year, she was part of the committee that selected Madeline Fox from the University of Pittsburgh to go to the UK to study creative writing at the University of York. So I mean, we're already already building links already here between Pittsburgh and you, you haven't had the chance to be here.
That's awesome. So can we take the entire tech Council and all of us go to the UK, and then somehow we swap out
the British, the whole thing is, as long as you're graduating last four years have a GPA above 3.7, you're definitely welcome to apply. And we would strongly encourage you to get all your students to apply.
Oh, wow. Okay, that was a punch in the gut. Right, Jonathan? Great.
But yet so far,
it's a great launching myself to say Don't worry.
It's great. So So Glasgow has been selected as a location for CRP 26. Can you talk to our guests about the history of the conference? And how Glasgow was selected? And now what in the middle of COVID? How is that going to be run? So like that,
and I start so the UK as you say, is hosting Kop 26 in Glasgow in November, we're really excited about the opportunity that that can bring to raise climate ambition across the board. And the COP is the UN. The main UN Convention on Climate Change. It's the main conference that happens every five years that brings countries together to look at how they can mitigate global warming. And the last major one was Paris, which you may have heard about which agreed the Paris the Paris agreement, which essentially laid the groundwork for countries working together to to reduce global emissions and to try and keep the world under at least under two degree warming, but ideally 1.5 degree warming every five years Typically the conference is, is that much more important because we take stock of progress that has been made. But we also look to, as I say, increase ambition. We're really excited about Glasgow, hosting the conference. Glasgow was chosen, partly due to its experience of hosting world class conferences. And as you can imagine, actually, it's it's a conference that thing has 1000s and 1000s of attendees, you have the, the official negotiators and their teams from I think, at least 120 countries, if not more, Andrew can correct me if I'm wrong, but you also have a huge, wider Expo that showcases the latest tech innovation. There's a huge civil society conference that sits alongside it, because we know action at the sub national level is just as important. So it's a huge undertaking to put that conference on. And Glasgow, you know, as world renowned in terms of being able to do that. But also Glasgow has made some significant commitments to sustainability over the years. And recently they're awarded the status of Global Green City. So it's fitting that they should be hosting, Kop 26. But it is, of course, a whole of country whole of work and effort. And so, you know, we're really excited about other countries coming forward, including the US in terms of raising its ambition base in advance of the conference, but also at the conference itself.
That's exciting. So Jonathan just told me that there's a private question that the time is now asked, so I think it's from jack Adams.
Absolutely. Yeah. So I want to say, first, he says, Hello, what's up, guys? Firstly, say hello to Anthony philippson. And then Brierley for him. He says, you missing them in New York and in Pittsburgh. So what's to know first about the impact of Brexit not only on their trade relationship with Europe, but also with the US? And secondly, the priority of a new trade agreement with the United States?
Now we're jumping right in? What do you say?
Brexit has now happened. And we have agreed to deal with the EU, which is good. There are still ongoing processes. So there are still negotiations that are ongoing on I think, data, financial services, and continuing to address issues around the Northern Ireland protocol. But I think the real positive touching on your your question is that now that Brexit has happened, we obviously have the ability to strike our own free trade agreements, including with the US, which is a particular priority of our government. We made good progress with the previous US administration on an FTA I think we had five formal negotiating rounds. And we are very hopeful that we will be able to continue to make progress with the new administration. It's great that Catherine tie has now been approved and can take up her role in trade discussions. And I know that Liz trust, our Secretary of State had a good, warm, initial conversation with her about the direction of travel. So we're very, we're very enthusiastic about that. But we also recognize that, you know, we need to continue to deepen our trading relationship, in the here and now. And that's why we're very keen to hear from businesses in terms of what you are looking for, both in terms of exporting to the UK, but also taking advantage of UK investment into the US. So we're very keen to continue that dialogue. And you know, we would really welcome so the conversations with the business community on what barriers you face what you're looking for, both in an FTA. But more broadly, just in terms of how we can strengthen our economic relationship.
Okay, great. That's great. Thank you. So let's get back to the CLP 26, a cop 26. Let's talk about what are some of the major items that will be on the agenda. So we have a date for that. Is there a date for that?
It's in November. And there are quite a few staging posts before that. But overall, I mean, just to sort of paint a picture. I think overall, the headline is we need to raise ambition across the board. And I would say that's in three areas ambition, on mitigation. So these are primarily countries nationally determined contributions around how they are going to reduce emissions. So the UK came forward with a new NDC late last year of a 68% reduction on greenhouse gas emissions. In 1990 levels, we're very excited about the US who will be bringing forward the NDC as part of the summit that President Biden announced very recently next month. But But ultimately, and the UN released a report, quite recently, if you put all of the NDCs that have been currently put out there on the table, it still does not take us to an increase or a decrease in the overall club, global warming, below two degrees, and ideally, as I say, two to 1.5. So we know that there is more that needs to be done on mitigation, there is also an ambition gap on finance. So at Paris, it was agreed that the world would come forward with 100 billion to support climate solutions. And that's both public finance but also private finance. And we know that we are not yet there yet, in terms of the 100 billion there is a gap. So we're encouraging countries, businesses, private finance, financial sectors to come forward to help plug that gap. And then the third area where we have an ambition gap is around what we call adaptation and resilience. So it's very important that countries commit to net zero by 2050, it's very important that we look to, for example, phase out internal combustion engines by 2030 2040. But actually, climate change is happening now. Now, we know it's affecting communities now, including in the US where you see, you know, these horrendous weather incidents affecting communities. So we need to support communities now. injecting capital injecting tech innovation, you know, building jobs, so that communities can adapt to the effects of climate change. And those are the three main themes of cop 26. There are also five campaigns that sit underneath those themes that we might want to go into in a bit more detail around transport, nature, finance, actually adaptation, and resilience has its own its own campaign and energy transition. And each of those campaigns on pick and a little bit more detail, what the UK is committing to and what the UK sees as the sort of best practice for other countries to also commit to.
So is there anything that you want to add to that?
I think I think that's it's that's very fun. It's the it's the challenge in the sense of saying this, not as a nation on national level, but also the sub national level, how can we work with different communities? Right? try and achieve, whilst but Merrick marrying the economic need with the environmental lead, we can't just do the environment without while throwing out the economic, we've got to take the economical off
the right. Yeah, I mean, this whole conversation around local, what's Glocal? You know, global and local? And how do you take that when you're trying to work at this macro level that you're at? I'm hoping that there's those conversations around what it means locally, and particularly in the United States. Now, as we look at investment in infrastructure? And what does infrastructure really look like? That's a United States focused opportunity, but infrastructure that ranges from erosion, you know, to actual good old fashioned road repairing bridges, etc? And where, how can we begin to, you know, comply, given all the given all those investments that are needed?
Yeah. And you're absolutely right. And what we would say is that, you know, actually, you can do that in a way that is green. And that also produces jobs. So, at the back end of last year, our Prime Minister published what we call the template plan for green Industrial Revolution, which is our, our way of saying, you know, particularly as we tried to come out of COVID, and reboot our economies, you know, now is the time to invest in green solutions. It doesn't just make environmental sense, you know, we would strongly believe it makes economic sense as well. And the 10 point plan has some really concrete actions that the UK will take, that we think will amount to 250,000 new jobs across Great Britain.
Like talk, can you talk about that I know about the 10 point plan, but maybe some of our guests don't Can you talk about what the job creation piece of that is or
so. So um, the template plan covers 10 different areas, where the UK will invest greater money again to to either reboot existing economies or new economies and to ultimately create more jobs. I won't go through all of the 10 points but but maybe jumping into a couple and I might ask Andrew to talk to two B's and A little bit more detail. Offshore wind is is is key for us. We think that is a big job generator is particularly important in our sort of northeast part of the UK where again, it links to the government's wider levelling up agenda of trying to push out economic growth from the southeast to the north. Offshore wind actually is now one of our primary energy sources. And it's it's, you know, it continues to grow. And the UK has very ambitious targets for increasing that supply threefold by 2030. So that will then be powering every single home through offshore wind solely. We talked very briefly about zero emission vehicles. So one of our other commitments in the 10 point plan is to phase out new petrol and diesel engine cars by 2030. She brought forward that commitment 10 years, recognizing how important it is, in terms of the UK is wider emissions reduction plan. But that is particularly exciting because it also presents opportunities from a tech perspective around, you know, batteries around charging points, some really innovative technology around using lampposts, you know for charging points in cities. So zero emission vehicles is a big one. There are some other really interesting, particularly from a tech perspective, there are some really interesting r&d projects around hydrogen, which I might ask Andrew to touch on in a second, also carbon capture and storage. Where I think, you know, it's a really exciting opportunity for companies to invest in these emerging technologies, because they will also form the basis of how we deal with emissions in the future. But Andrew, did you want to talk a little bit more about what we're doing based on the sort of the hydrogen and the carbon capture space?
I think it's a case of when you're talking about energy, it doesn't matter what you're doing, I mean, the UK, next to all these ocean bout barreling winds, of course, we're going to go heavy on offshore wind, but it's just about if we're going to make this transition happen, then every area has got to do with an energy transition in one way or another. So how's it going to do that? For us? That would be offshore wind in terms of the transition, but for some for an area like Pittsburgh or the Ohio Valley region? It could? These it'll look a bit different. Sure. I mean, the New York State Government is currently looking at putting offshore wind into the Great Lakes, which is an interesting development, and we will watch unquiet intriguingly. But it's also going to be about the other bits of in terms of going to do, there's going to be talk about carbon capture, of course, in terms of the the UK is putting money into developing culture carbon capture hubs in the industrial heartland, so that we saw similar technologies in terms of what could happen in Pittsburgh, is because what could happen in the UK, build out of hydrogen, the build out and build out a bio mesocycles with the UK works on and also looking at Advanced nuclear the concept that there's not going to be one way that we're going to solve this energy puzzle, and we can't make every single region be exactly the same. We can't make the center of the US an offshore wind hub. But we can look at a range of different techniques and a range of different energy infrastructure, which will cause a lot of jobs to be created or added a lot of different fields.
Yeah. So, you know, we think that there's a lot of opportunities for companies, as you know, not just we talked about workforce, and then we talked about innovation. I personally think we don't even know some of the solutions that are lying before us. So are there particular areas that you think have opportunities in terms of innovation? I mean, I'm not saying Windows is not one of them, solar is not one of them. But what what else? Have you stumbled across? Or what are you thinking about?
So maybe I'll kick this off, and Andrew, jump in. And I think, you know, to your point, there is a huge amount of opportunity here. And actually, it doesn't matter where your risk appetite is, for tech and r&d. You know, there's something for everybody. So, you know, companies could, you know, jump on board with very well established technology, like for example, solar panels, and solar, you know, the cost of solar is really going down again, so, you know, that's an area in particular the companies with fairly low risk appetite could get involved in then there are, you know, tech that is currently in existence, but needs to scale up. So, we talked about zero emission vehicles, you know, we need really good batteries, long life batteries to be able to power cars, you know, and in time, you know, other you know, even more polluting vehicles, you know, vans etc. So, you know, jumping on board with technology that needs to be scaled up is another option. And then at the other end of the spectrum, as you say, Audrey, there is new technology, you know, those tells you that we know we need like green hydrogen, but but we're Still in an early phase in terms of understanding how we can make it work for the specific requirements, such as heating, you know, a street of houses, such as you know, powering a zero emissions jet, which is, again, something that the Prime Minister committed to looking at as part of our green Industrial Revolution. So, you know, actually, if you look across the spectrum of opportunity, depending on where your risk appetite is there, you know, there are endless ways of being able to get involved.
And that's what plays to Pittsburgh, because we're that varied and being a place where energy is really reasonable, and that we have experience across the whole spectrum of what's known right now, in terms of of energy, opportunities. It's it's wide. And, indeed, so, Andrew, how I mean, we only have a few minutes left, and I apologize that our zoom, we exceeded, we broke zoom. But I'm glad that we recorded this, you know, Glasgow has been done some amazing things and climate change, right. I mean, it's great that CRP is going to be there. But how is it going with Brexit? Can you can you talk about how that's that's actually going? I know the COVID. And I know, you know, there have been a lot of things converging at the same time, but from where you sit, and how is it going with Brexit?
I think that I mean, the challenge is that this is this is this is a big developed, which has taken place in the UK, we're seeing a change over in terms of its economic and its trade system. Let's go like a range of different places across the UK, it will go through the economic bugs as we try and get across to a new trade system in terms of what we're doing. But it is well placed. I mean, in the sense of being at the forefront. In the end, President Briggs, it's happened. And this is something which we're going to have to get on with in terms of what we're doing. And it's about, well, how can cities reinvigorate themselves in terms of the current environment, and with Glasgow being on the front front step in terms of its green Industrial Revolution, these different strategies, you will be in a strong position in terms of moving forward. economics and politics are difficult situations. And I think that if we if we can just keep looking at where the strength is going forward, and try and have a vision of where the city is going, that's I think we're in our best position.
So we are, you know, we want to stay connected, we will stay connected to the both of you and your your organization's, we look forward to getting back to the time where we can, you know, see one another and travel. But that doesn't prohibit us from working together right now. So if people want to know more, is there a link that they should go? Could they could go out to to either reach the right people on your teams? Or if they want more information? Is there anything that we could share?
So follow us on Twitter, I think we're UK in New York. I'm Hanna young NYC. And that will give you the headlines of what we're working on. But we're very keen to continue this discussion, I should also give a plug for the race to zero, which is a big campaign at the sub national level in advance of cop 26. And that's about encouraging businesses, cities, states and community groups to look at how they can transition to that zero that's being led by Nigel topping, who's our high level champion. And if you google raise to zero, you'll be able to see more about that campaign as well. And we would really encourage all of your listeners to look at that and to join in.
No, that's wonderful. Anything else Andrew that you think you can we get before we sign off?
Just quickly, I'd
say that the the UK I'd say may have almost all the answers on offshore wind, but for most other things, we generally we're working our way through this sort of thing. And we're looking for companies, governments, everyone to try and do this work with us. If we if they can contact you to put in contact with me if you're interested, especially on things like hydrogen, carbon capture these difficult fields, we want to make these connections and we want to try and build up build together in terms of how we find the solution. We're not telling you what to do together. We're trying to find the solution. That's great.
Now, it's been great partnership over the years, there isn't so I'm very excited that we are able to share this with with our our memberships again, I'm sorry about the zoom break down, but we've definitely will continue to work on this partnership. There's a lot of head there's a lot of head. So Jonathan, is there anything for next week anything that we
next week gonna be pretty exciting Audrey because we are approaching the One Year celebration of business as usual. On Monday we have seven springs Mountain Resort, stopping by to talk about their whole ski season and how they're gonna be approached skiing in the future. But on the 31st we have Wow, Huntington bank, stopping by to interview you and we're gonna be giving away three $100 gift certificates to local restaurants to our viewers here on business as usual. So make it a part of your week. We're gonna have a lot of fun. It'll be tasty as well, too.
That's great. So and everyone stay safe. We will see everyone on Monday but stay safe. Really appreciate Andrew and Hannah joining us. I'm going to follow you both on Twitter or at least I know Hannah. I don't know about you, Andrew, but we will figure out ways to stay connected. I can't thank you enough. And Hannah. I'm glad everything went swimmingly in your move in the middle of COVID. So thanks, everyone. Have a great weekend. And we'll see you again on Monday. Thanks, Audrey. Thank you. Thanks.
Take care.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai