How to create a low-carbon economy: Royal Society debate - 15 March

London, 15 March 2006

How we exploit world leading technologies that deliver a low carbon economy for the UK is the challenge facing hundreds of opinion formers from the worlds of science, industry and government who are gathering in London today.

Eight weeks into the Government's Energy Review consultation, Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks is set to kick off the Royal Society debate that will involve leading experts from the worlds of science, industry and government including the Government's Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir David King.

Malcolm Wicks said: "The Energy Review is a hard-headed analysis of the options available to us. Science has a crucial role to play; we need to apply the knowledge of the lab to the world of energy. I'm looking forward to an exciting and broad ranging discussion. It is vital that we discuss these issues as openly and widely as possible; this forum will help do that.

"I want to hear the scientific-based evidence and the views from industry on the best way forward to meet our energy needs into the future. We have to balance those needs with securing our energy supply, our concern for the environment and mitigating the harmful effects of CO2.

"Since announcing the energy review consultation, I have been hearing the views and opinions across the whole spectrum of energy, and the inboxes of my energy team have been intensely busy. These responses are a key part of the consultation process and debates like today's are also crucial to examine openly all the opportunities available to us as we decide how to meet our future energy needs."

Notes to Editors:

1. The Energy debate is being held as part of National Science Week, which runs from March 10 to 19 - http://www.the-ba.net/nsw

More than 1,500 events are being held throughout the UK during National Science Week, which is co-ordinated by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, funded by the Department for Trade and Industry and sponsored by BP and the Economic and Social Research Council.

2. Chaired by Professor Kathy Sykes, the following panellists will be joining the Energy Minister:
* Dr Paul Golby, Chief Executive, Powergen (E.On)
* Sir Peter Mason, Chief Executive, AMEC
* Graham Smith, Chair Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, Managing Director, Toyota (GB)
* Sir David King, Chief Scientific Advisor