Professor Dieter Helm
Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford and Fellow of New College, Oxford
42nd TB Macaulay Lecture – Green and Prosperous Land
Followed by Derek Mackay, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work, in conversation with Professor Helm
Each year the Macaulay Development Trust, in partnership with the James Hutton Institute, hosts a world-renowned guest speaker for its annual TB Macaulay Lecture. This year we are delighted to welcome Professor Dieter Helm, Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford and Fellow of New College, Oxford.
Professor Helm CBE is a leading economist specialising in utilities, infrastructure, regulation and the environment. He has expertise in energy, water, communications and transport in the UK and Europe, and was appointed chair of the Natural Capital Committee established to advise the UK Government. He has also assisted the European Commission in preparing the Energy Roadmap 2050, serving as special advisor to the European Commissioner and chair of the roadmap Ad Hoc Advisory Group.
With news about our climate, ecosystems and wildlife tending to be grim, there are few who could argue action must be taken and taken quickly. With this in mind this year’s lecture, Green and Prosperous Land, will focus on Dieter Helm’s radical but tangible plan for positive change.
The pragmatic approach taken by Professor Helm towards environmentalism includes a summary of Britain’s green assets, a look towards possible futures and an achievable 25-year plan for a green and prosperous country. This bold generational plan assesses the environment as a whole, explains the necessity of protecting and enhancing our green spaces and offers a clear, financially sound strategy to put Britain on a greener path.
Helm’s arguments expose the economic inefficiencies in our environmental policies and thus highlights the need for change. Leaving behind the current sterile and ineffective battle between the environment and the economy, this revolutionary plan champions the integration of the economy and the environment together to deliver sustainable, eco-friendly economic growth. There is hope, and there is time, but we must act now.
In conversation with – This year, we are also delighted to welcome Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work, Derek Mackay to join the discussion on synergies between inclusive, sustainable economic growth.
Derek Mackay is one of the Scottish Government’s foremost figures, with responsibility for Scotland’s economy, jobs, skills and most importantly controlling and allocating the Scottish budget. As such, he will offer a unique and thoughtful perspective on the issues raised in Professor Helm’s keynote speech.
Programme
5.30pm Registration
6.00pm Lecture commences
7.00pm Derek Mackay MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work, In Conversation with Professor Dieter Helm
8.00pm Networking drinks reception with finger buffet
9.30pm Event closes
For further information please contact
Nicola Strachan events@hutton.ac.uk
Background to the TB Macaulay lecture
The annual TB Macaulay lecture is held to honour the vision of Dr Thomas Bassett Macaulay, President and chairman of the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, whose benefaction founded the original Macaulay Institute for Soil Research in 1930. He was a descendant of the Macaulays from the Island of Lewis and his aim was to improve the productivity of Scottish Agriculture. This vision continues today in its successor the James Hutton Institute, a world-leader in land, crop, water, environmental and socio-economics science.
