With Scotland’s ambitious targets for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, committing to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, this transition will require a significant shift towards renewable energy sources.
This will be particularly important in regions such as the North East, where Aberdeen has fashioned itself as the major player in fossil fuels, having been at the forefront of the oil and gas industry for over fifty years.
This dependency has thrown up a number of challenges in recent times however, with the decline in global demand for oil and gas, the rise of renewable energy sources, and the increasing cost of production, we’ve seen job losses and economic hardship that perhaps just 10 years ago would have been inconceivable.
As I often touch on in my column, business diversification is crucial for a company’s survival by helping to mitigate risk. Aberdeen is the perfect example of what can go quickly wrong if you are reliant on a single product or market.
However, it certainly isn’t the end for the granite city. In fact, I’d wager that the region has never been in a stronger position to lead the charge for Scotland’s energy transition and to reach its ambitious net zero targets.
With its highly skilled workforce, Aberdeen has a long history of innovation in the oil and gas industry, and this expertise can and certainly will be applied to the development of renewable energy projects.
My belief that Aberdeen has a huge part to play in the UK’s future green energy sector was echoed by the UK Government, who just last week announced that it has accelerated its plan to relocate 22,000 government roles out of London by three years, and has selected the city as the location for a second headquarters of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, in addition to Salford.
This decision builds upon the UK Government’s previous commitment to invest £90 million in Aberdeen’s Net Zero Technology Centre, which is already playing a crucial role in decarbonising the oil and gas industry.
You would be hard pressed to list examples of smart decisions from the UK government in recent times, however this move certainly makes sense in my eyes.
A lot can be said for shared learning to drive modernisation and being so close to other key institutions involved in the energy sector, such as the North Sea Transition Authority, the Net Zero Technology Centre, Energy Transition Zone and the two universities leading on research and new technology to achieve net zero, this proximity will certainly help to foster collaboration and innovation in the region.
With the city already home to a 45,000-strong offshore energy sector workforce, basing the new headquarters in Aberdeen will make it easier for civil servants to work with industry experts and allow easier access to tap into the region’s expertise.
How many new roles will it create in the short term, I’m not sure, however this show of support will undoubtably help to attract investment and create jobs in the green energy sector moving forward.
Scotland already boasts the highest proportion of green job adverts compared to other regions of the UK. According to PwC UK’s latest Green Jobs Barometer, released last week, Scotland is one of only two nations or regions, along with Northern Ireland, to have recorded an increase in the number of green jobs advertised this year, with a growth of 7.6 per cent.
The barometer, which was first launched in November 2021, tracks movements in green job creation, job loss, carbon intensity of employment and worker sentiment across regions and sectors.
With a renewed focus on the region through the UK Government’s decision to relocate government roles to the city is a testament to its potential and will undoubtedly contribute to its continued economic growth and diversification.
Of course, there isn’t room for complacency, but the North East is certainly in a fantastic position to move from its previous iteration of the UK oil capital to that a global hub for the transition to net zero.
Nick Nairn’s culinary comeback inspires new chapter
Nick Nairn’s famous Bridge of Allan restaurant, Nick’s, burnt down in 2021, then his Port of Menteith Cook School was flooded soon after.
Most would have given up, yet, in January 2024, Nick will open the door of his new restaurant and culinary school, Nairn’s, built on the site of the chef’s old restaurant, situated in the picturesque lakeside setting of his childhood home.
The heart of this impressive revival for Nick lies in the cooking school. Once a humble piggery, the plot has now been transformed into a haven for culinary enthusiasts.
The reduced class sizes of 12, down from 24, reflects a commitment to an intimate, hands-on experience that indicates to me what Nick is passionate about – the life changing experience on offer.
Nick’s masterclasses range from Scottish and French cuisine to Asian, Spanish, and Japanese flavours. The classes promise to teach skills applicable across a spectrum of dishes. They aim to make each student a more robust cook, and robust is certainly an apt way to describe Nick’s entrepreneurial dedication.
Nairn’s re-opening its doors is more than a good bounce-back story, but an example of Scotland’s impressive open-mindedness and willingness to engage and learn from the world. A nod to the past whilst being excited for the future. It’s a delight to see such resilience in this turbulent economic landscape.
I also hope some friends or family see this before they’ve bought my Christmas present.
It Made Me Laugh
A Scottish social media star, Dazza, recently teamed up with Tempura, an Ayrshire diner, to send a battered Mars bar into space.
I’ve been writing this column for a while now, however this is probably one of the quirkiest sentences I’ve ever put into the copy.
In 2001, academics first talked of the Attention Economy – treating human attention as a scarce commodity. Is this the peak of what brands and influencers will do to grab just a few moments of your time? Is it brilliant or terrible? Are businesses now going too far?
Maybe they are, but it certainly distracted me from the mundane and gave me a giggle. I’m not sure I’ll be touching down to Tempura for a bite to eat off the back of the stunt though.
It Made Me Weep
The cost-of-living crisis gripping Scotland is extending its reach into classrooms, compelling teachers to address issues far beyond education.
Unfortunately, more and more teaching staff are coming forward to stress the position they find many of their students in.
As families struggle with rising prices, teachers witness students arriving hungry and ill-prepared for lessons. A truly sad situation.
Not 30 years ago, we were known around the UK for our high levels of education. This recent burden on educators raises further concerns for this well documented slip in standards.
The long-term economic impact is clear; the well-being of today’s youth shapes the future workforce, so more must be done to address this hardship, and protect Scotland’s economic future.
