Climate Change is at the top of the British Government’s priorities and Carbon Emissions at the epicentre of British policy. The UK is committed to tackling climate change in a low carbon economy. Environment Minister, Phil Woolas, made a statement below in the context of promoting technical innovation in tackling climate change.

"We know that in the near future, the strongest economies will be low carbon economies. By facing these challenges head on, not only will we be able to help fight climate change in the UK, but we will be providing leadership and innovation, enabling millions of people around the world to fight climate change in their own lives.”

Carbon emissions seminar

With this in mind, the British High Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environment jointly organised a seminar on Friday 14 March 2008. The seminar was also supported by the Department of Energy of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Tourism and the PricewaterhouseCoopers. The aim was to brief Cypriot industry on the need to act and plan in order to comply with and be prepared for changes that their industry will face due to EU regulations.

Participants came from various government departments, state companies, cement factories, brick factories, various quarries and other factories, pig farms, universities, the stock exchange, the Commissioner for energy, journalists and others. The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism gave a short opening speech and a representative of the Minister of Agriculture, Natural resources and Environment read out a short message from the Minister.

Officials from Defra and Berr joined officials from the Republic of Cyprus Department of Environment to deliver messages on what the European Commission expected both of government and of industry to meet carbon emissions targets.

Through the participation of Liz Bossley, a consultant for the Consilience Energy Advisory Group Ltd, we promoted the services offered by the members of the Carbon Markets Association (CMA) and we are expecting some business activity to develop from that.

The Cypriot Department of Energy is already in contact with Defra's advisors on CHP training with the view of engaging their services.

Professor Askew has also provided contacts details of specific companies which are working on innovative ways of building energy efficient buildings to the Cyprus University of Technology, which is about to construct new premises.

The seminar was an excellent platform for Cypriot officials to convince industry that they need to start acting now on their targets, as by 2012 it will be too late to do so. Having a joined up line with another MS on this helped them to so more effectively.