Professor Dieter Helm announced as speaker of 42nd TB Macaulay Lecture: Green and Prosperous Land

"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. There is hope, and there is time, but we must act now"

Dieter Helm CBE, Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford and Fellow of New College, Oxford, has been announced as the speaker of the 42^nd T.B. Macaulay Lecture, presented in partnership by the James Hutton Institute and the Macaulay Development Trust on 2^nd October 2019 at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh EH8 8AS.

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. This year's lecture, Green and Prosperous Land, will focus on Professor 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, Professor Helm will say.

Dieter Helm 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.

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 the work of the James Hutton Institute.

The programme of the event will be as follows:

5.30pm Registration
6.00pm 42nd TB Macaulay Lecture
7.00pm In conversation with Professor Dieter Helm
8.00pm Networking reception
9.30pm Event closes

To book, please visit the 42nd TB Macaulay Lecture web page on Eventbrite at https://42tbmaclecture.eventbrite.co.uk.