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Tackling climate change
02/12/2009
Scotland has the natural resources to be a world leader in clean energy and can play a key role in combating climate change, First Minister Alex Salmond told European leaders in Brussels today.
Mr Salmond is meeting the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs, after holding earlier talks with the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek and European Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes. Scotland's new Europe Minister Fiona Hyslop has joined the First Minister for the discussion with President Barroso and Mr Buzek as well as pursuing her own programme of engagements.
The First Minister is outlining how Scotland's energy potential can enhance European energy security and support the global climate change goals due to be agreed at the United Nation Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen later this month.
The politicians are discussing the active role Scotland is playing in supporting the EU North Sea Grid Group, which is developing a blueprint for an offshore grid that would connect and transport renewable energy resources across Europe. This significant project would help Scotland capitalise on its vast natural resources and deliver major economic and environmental benefits to Scotland and the rest of Europe.
The First Minister said:
"Scotland has firmly established itself as a world leader in oil and gas and now has the natural resources and expertise to be the green energy powerhouse of Europe.
"This Government recognises the enormous opportunities that come with climate change. We are committed to working closely with our European partners to capitalise on Scotland's natural advantage in renewable energy, particularly on EU priority infrastructure projects such as the North Sea energy grid.
"An electricity grid across the North Sea would maximise use of renewable energy from wind and wave power in Scotland and hydro power in Norway, and carry that vast resource across the North Sea to mainland Europe. Better and stronger interconnection will also help ensure security of Scotland's energy supply.
"The EU Commission is making investments in Scotland's energy potential as part of Europe's Economic Recovery Plan, including in a groundbreaking offshore transmission hub off the north coast of Scotland.
"Harnessing Scotland's green wind and marine energy potential has the potential to create thousands of green jobs across the country, while providing a long term platform for sustainable growth.
"Scotland boasts 25 per cent of Europe's offshore wind and tidal resources and 10 per cent of wave potential and can make a significant difference in meeting the climate change goals which are due to be agreed in Copenhagen later this month.
"Our Climate Change Act, passed earlier this year, is the most ambitious in the industrialised world, committing to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020 and by 80 per cent by 2050.
"Scotland is taking a global lead on the fight against climate change and is working hard with our partners across Europe, and the world, to develop green economic opportunities for Scotland and a sustainable future for our planet."
The First Minister is in Brussels to strengthen Scotland's cultural and economic links with European partners through Scotland Week in Brussels 2009. This year the biennial event marks St. Andrew's Day, the end of the Year of Homecoming and the European Union's Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009.
The Scottish Government is offering one of the greatest innovation prizes in history - the £10 million Saltire Prize - around €11 million - for the team that creates the best, commercially viable wave or tidal energy project, using only sea power.