Speech
Berlin 09 September 2008
Lars Leijonborg, Minister for Higher Education and Research

Speech at the opening of the pilot plant for carbon capture at Schwarze Pumpe

(Check against delivery.)

Ladies and Gentlemen!

This is a historic and exciting day and I'm happy to have been invited.

The green house effect and climate change has been an environmental concern since the mid-seventies. As our knowledge has increased, so has the intensity of the debate.

Climate change is one of mankind's largest challenges. We have to face it wisely and bravely in new and creative ways. Taking climate change seriously is important, but even more important is not to despair.

Knowledge, public opinion and political determination can bring about change. We have dealt with environmental threats in the past, and we can do it again.

In 1963, the report Silent Spring by Rachel Carson alerted people around the world to the devastating effects of some pesticides - that eventually spring would be silent, because all the birds would be gone. She inspired public opinion and political will. The pesticides she warned about are banned, and the birds are still singing. Pollution is still a tremendous challenge, locally and globally, but this shows that it is possible to change the future.

Another example where awareness has inspired action is the ozone layer. As knowledge grew about the dangers of ozone depletion, people acted as consumers and as citizens. Ozone-depleting substances are now banned and the ozone layer is slowly healing.

To change how we develop and use energy however, is a bigger challenge than to change the use of pesticides or Freon. Some predictions show that global demand for energy, primarily electricity, will double until 2050. Today, two thirds of electricity comes from combustion of fossil fuels.

All possible ways to eliminate emissions are needed. Increased investments in research are a vital part of the solution. We need knowledge - and we need political determination to use that same knowledge.

The Swedish government has on several occasions stated our support for research and development related to carbon capture and storage. In the research bill that will be submitted to the Swedish Riksdag in about a month, both the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Energy Agency will receive increased funds enabling increased support for research in this area. The government also has stated that we are willing to support research and development on the European and Nordic levels.

Our position is based on the conviction that climate change is a threat so serious that one single solution isn't enough; we have to use a multitude of solutions. Especially in view of the situation in emerging economies such as China and India, it's simply not realistic to believe that they won't depend heavily on fossil fuels for decades to come. That leaves the solution to ensure that fossil fuels make as little impact on the climate as possible. In light of that, carbon capture and storage appears a very promising solution.

I am convinced that carbon capture and storage will be an important part of the solution. Yes, we need new, sustainable energy sources. We need to be more efficient in our use of energy. But we cannot let the best be the enemy of the good. That is why today is so important.

Once the name Schwarze Pumpe meant avoiding Swedes. In the future, it will stand for avoiding climate change.

Thank you!