23 Aug 2006
BALANCING ENERGY NEEDS & CLIMATE CHANGE -
WORKING TOGETHER IS THE ONLY WAY' - CAIRNS
Scotland Office Minister David Cairns is to drive forward joint energy initiatives on a two-day visit to Norway (23/24th August) where he will also address a major industry conference on balancing energy needs and addressing climate change.
During the visit the Minister will meet with Statoil to get an update on progress on a number of cross-boundary projects following the signing of the 2005 Framework Agreement which has lead to six joint projects being approved in the last two years.
Meeting leading Norwegian Government and industry representatives at the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) conference in Stravanger the Minister will also hold discussions with APPG to take forward arrangements on joint CO2 capture projects following an agreement with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Norwegian Prime Minister to undertake a joint feasibility study.
Mr Cairns said:
"Both the UK and Norway have a huge potential for the injection and permanent storage of CO2 in sub-seabed formations in the North Sea. This method of carbon capture and its associated technology has the potential to act as one of the tools and approaches available to meet the challenges of climate change. I am looking forward to playing my part in taking this crucial initiative forward."
In a keynote speech to the ONS conference the Minister said wide ranging action needs to be taken by the UK, European, and world partners if we are to meet future energy demands and combat climate change. The speech also focused on providing an overview to industry of the UK Energy Review which was published last month.
If all the Energy Review proposals were implemented, Mr Cairns told the conference, carbon emissions in the UK could be reduced by 19 and 25 million tonnes by 2020. The maximisation of the recovery from the UK Continental Shelf and exploration and development to the west of Shetland and in the Atlantic Margin would also by key.
The Minister said:
"Nations today face the biggest energy security and climate change challenges the world has ever known. These are truly global issues. Inspirational leadership internationally is vital. Every opportunity - whether bilaterally, multilaterally, in consumer / producer dialogues, within the EU and outside of the EU - must be seized upon to share our experiences, our technologies and move the agenda for reform forward in the way we use our energy."
The speech built on the visit to the conference by DTI Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks who highlighted the developing joint work between Norway and the UK to extend the life of the North Sea reserves.
Addressing the barriers to reducing carbon emissions such as ensuring continued economic growth, reliance on coal-fired and gas-powered stations which release carbon emissions, and the need for faster growth in the renewables field, David Cairns said partnership working and international leadership is vital:
"Whilst it is important the UK acts now to reduce our own emissions we are responsible for only 2% of global emissions, so we cannot make significant inroads into the global picture alone. We need other nations to drive forward the process of reform too. Continued international leadership and co-operation is essential."
The Minister highlighted many of the actions that the Government will take forward to address reducing carbon emissions whilst ensuring security of supply. These included a package of efficiency measures including providing business and individuals accurate information to reduce consumption, phasing out inefficient consumer goods, an energy efficiency Code for Sustainable Homes, and creating a framework for carbon pricing.
The Government will also incentivise the further development of renewables which currently provide 4% of the UK's energy supply.
In his concluding remarks to the conference Mr Cairns said:
"We have set ourselves an ambitious programme to meet our goals of reducing the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by some 60% by 2050. I look forward to taking our joint working with our Norwegian counterparts forward."
Contact: Val Morgan tel: 0131 244 9062
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