By Martin Banks - 3rd November 2008
Investing now in renewable energy projects will help counter the impact of the slowdown
Michael Reilly, director of the Taipei-based British Trade and Cultural Office (BTCO)
A senior British trade official has urged governments to resist the temptation to “go slow” on efforts to tackle climate change.
Michael Reilly’s comments come amid fears that some EU member states may backtrack on commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the wake of the global financial crisis.
The EU recently reaffirmed its pledge to reduce emissions by 20 per cent by the year 2020.
Speaking at an international seminar on Monday, Reilly said the event was very timely following the recent collapse of oil prices and as the world faces a major economic slowdown.
He said, “Some experts and politicians around the world have suggested that this is a time to go slowly in efforts to develop a low-carbon future.
“Acting now will place us all in a better position when the world economy picks up speed once again. Investing now in renewable energy projects will help counter the impact of the slowdown,” Reilly said.
“And, most of all, increasing the use of renewable energy now will improve energy security in the years ahead,” he added.
Reilly, director of the Taipei-based British Trade and Cultural Office (BTCO), was addressing a seminar in Taiwan on offshore power and wind turbines.
A UK delegation composed of 16 experts from nine companies and three universities delivered presentations at the conference about UK expertise in the offshore wind power sector.
According to Reilly, the UK last year became the number one in the world for installed offshore wind power, with a 589mw capacity of eight operating offshore wind farms and seven more under construction.
Noting that Taiwan is also keen to diversify its power supply and that the Taiwanese government has been promoting the importance of green energy over the past few years, Reilly said Taiwan and the UK - and other EU member states - have much in common and could work together in this area.
Taiwan has 185 wind turbines installed, with an accumulative capacity of 347mw and is planning to install 200 more in the next five years.
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