Press release
05 January 2007
Ministry of the Environment
Andreas Carlgren to discuss the climate issue in USA and Canada
Sweden's Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren will travel to Washington, D.C. and California next week to discuss international climate agreements and climate action. The visit is also intended to help create conditions for Swedish environmental technology exports and make use of opportunities for Swedish business to win new markets. The trip to North America will conclude in Canada.
In Washington, Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren will meet politicians to discuss what the United States sees as possible elements of an international agreement after the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012. The United States will have a significant influence on future global emissions reductions.
"One of the most important issues during this electoral period is to work actively internationally for substantial emissions reductions. So as not to lose time after current commitments, we need to reach a new agreement no later than Sweden's Presidency of the European Union in 2009. An improved understanding of climate policy developments in the United States is vital if we are to achieve results," says Mr Carlgren.
California is spearheading radical environmental action in the United States through its decision to reduce greenhouse gases by 25 per cent by 2020. Just as in Sweden, it is the transport sector that is the major source of emissions and the measures required to meet the target focus on the transition to a more environmentally friendly transport system.
The radical change that will be required in California is prompting great interest in renewable energy and bioenergy.
"Swedish companies are well to the fore in the bioenergy area, not least with regard to biogas as an alternative fuel for cars. Developments in California are an inspiring example showing that environmentally friendly transport does not need to be seen as a threat, not even in the home of the car culture. This offers great potential for businesses at the forefront. We have a good opportunity to prepare the way for Swedish companies to win new markets," says Mr Carlgren.
In June 2006 Sweden signed an agreement with California to cooperate on renewable fuels and energy. This formalisation of cooperation paves the way for Swedish environmental technology enterprises to develop their exports to California.
The Swedish delegation to California includes representatives of the Swedish Environmental Technology Council (SWENTEC), the Swedish Energy Agency and a number of companies, mainly biogas technology enterprises. Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren will speak at the seminars arranged on biogas and energy efficiency (Solutions for Sustainable Cities and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies - Biogas has arrived!).
The programme for the visit to Toronto and Ottawa features future climate work. Mr Carlgren hopes to discuss Canada's role in a future international climate agreement and shed light on how Sweden has worked on emissions reductions while continuing to enjoy high growth rates.
"Both Sweden and Canada have winters that demand a lot of energy for heating. We have a shared interest in a continuing rapid development of green technology so as to manage the ongoing switch from fossil to renewable fuels," Mr Carlgren observes.
Andreas Carlgren will be in Washington, D.C. on 8-10 January, California on 10-12 January and Canada on 13-16 January.
Contact
Tomas UddinPress contact during the trip:
Kristina Jonäng, Chief of Staff, Ministry of the Environment +46 70 867 16 21 (in the USA)
Anders Nyberg, Political Adviser, Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, +46 70 359 43 49 (in Canada)
