HUDDERSFIELD is to host a major debate on the hot topic of climate change.

Two leading experts on the subject will address an audience of chemical industry leaders on Tuesday at the Textile Centre of Excellence.

The conference, entitled Climate Change, Emissions Trading and Carbon Footprints – Debunked, will look at the politics surrounding climate change, the effect on the competitiveness of the UK chemical industry, the European Union emissions trading scheme and the impact of the growing economies of China and India.

The event has been organised by Yorkshire Chemical Focus, the industry-led body supporting local chemical companies which contribute £2.2bn to the regional economy.

Addressing the event will be Archie McCulloch and Dr Nick Campbell.

Mr McCulloch has contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scientific process since 1990 as an author and reviewer of assessments and special reports. He also co-wrote the IPCC guidelines for preparing greenhouse gas emission inventories, which are used to estimate national emissions for the Kyoto Protocol.

He is a visiting research fellow in the Atmospheric Chemistry Research Group, which carries out long-term measurements of the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Dr Campbell is environment manager for world-leading chemical company Arkema SA, and is based in Paris. He has spent 20 years working mainly on the ozone issue and climate change.

He has been involved in international talks on climate change since 1991 and has attended working group meetings leading to the Kyoto Protocol.

He is chairman of the Business Europe Climate Change Working Group representing European union employers’ federations and chairs the European Chemical Industry Council Task Force on Climate Change.

Dr Jane Mockford, chief executive of Yorkshire Chemical Focus, said the event had been organised in response to members’ concerns about lack of clarity on climate change issues.

She said: “We’re delighted that two world-renowned figures in the climate change debate have agreed to come to Yorkshire. Companies are asking us if greenhouse gases are a reality and if so, how they can contribute to their reduction.”

To register for the conference, go to www.ycf.org.uk or call 01484 433 215.