NFU and LGA to provide keynote speeches at ADBA National Conference in December

Posted on 28 Oct, 2019 by Jocelyne Bia

NFU and LGA to provide keynote speeches at ADBA National Conference in December

• Stuart Roberts, Vice-President, National Farmers Union, will discuss achieving net zero in agriculture
• Cllr David Renard, Chair of Economy, Environment, Housing and Transport Board,  Local Government Association, on their views on the implementation of separate food waste collections and the use of green gas by local authorities.

The UK Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) is delighted to announce an eminent line-up of keynote speakers for its flagship event, the annual ADBA National Conference, on 11 December 2019, in Stuart Roberts, Vice-President of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), and Councillor David Renard, of the Local Government Association (LGA).

The NFU has recently launched a report on how British agriculture can achieve net zero, which includes the important role that AD has to play in reaching this ambition, whilst the LGA will share its thoughts on the introduction of mandatory separate food waste collections and the use of biogas and biomethane.  

The ADBA National Conference 2019, themed There’s no Net Zero without Biogas, will mark ADBA's 10th anniversary and 10 years before the UK government must reduce emissions by 57% to be on track to meet its net zero greenhouse gases commitment by 2050. The UK anaerobic digestion (AD) industry has a critical role to play in helping the government achieve this objective and the conference will discuss how AD and biogas can help realise this ambition.

Charlotte Morton, ADBA Chief Executive, said: "We are very excited to welcome Stuart and David as keynote speakers to this year's ADBA National Conference.  Their organisations' leadership in seeking to cut greenhouse gases emissions across agriculture and urban living - and integrating AD and biogas in the process - will be instrumental to achieve the UK's Net Zero target.  This will set the scene for a very constructive and illuminating set of discussions about the best way our industry can contribute.  This year's event will represent a turning point in awareness and commitment - a great way to mark our 10th anniversary and prepare for the next, crucial decade".

- ENDS -

For further information and to request media passes, contact:

Jocelyne Bia, Senior Communications Consultant
email: jocelyne.bia@adbioresources.org ; tel: +44 (0)7910 878510

About the speakers:

• Stuart Roberts is a third generation arable and livestock farmer at Hammonds End Farm, Harpenden. He was elected Vice-President of the NFU in 2018.  Prior to this Stuart had served as Hertfordshire NFU County Chairman since 2015 and on both the East Anglian livestock and combinable crops board.  Prior to returning to the family farm Stuart had a career in the civil service with the Food Standards Agency and Defra and has held a number of positions within the red meat supply chain industry with both the British Meat Processors Association and the ABP Food Group.
• Councillor David Renard has been Leader of Swindon Council since 2013.  Prior to that, he was Deputy Council Leader and held the cabinet portfolios of Children Services, Adult Services, Health and Housing at various times since 2004. As Leader, David has driven the adoption of the Council’s strategic Vision with four Priorities and twenty-six Pledges and ensured Swindon joined England’s Economic Heartland following the founding of the Fast Growth Cities network. He is an active member of the Local Government Association sitting on the EEHT, Environment, Economy, Housing & Transport Board and the LGPS, Local Government Pension Scheme committee.  He is also a member of the Peer Review team assessing the performance of other councils, a peer mentor, a Board Member of the “think tank” Localis, Vice Chair of the South East Strategic Leaders’ Group and Vice Chair and founding member of the Unitary Councils Network.  He also is a Board member of the Joint Venture with Barrett David Wilson Homes, developing up to 3500 homes on Wichelstowe. 

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Tags: anaerobic digestion, biogas, Charlotte Morton, ADBA National Conference, NFU, lga