Press release

UK pledges low carbon co-operation with China

Signing of joint statement between UK and China pledging to continue co-operation to promote low-carbon development and energy efficiency technologies.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Minister Barker and the Governor of Guangdong (People’s Republic of China), Zhu Xiaodan.

Minister Barker and the Governor of Guangdong (People’s Republic of China), Zhu Xiaodan shake hands at Lancaster House.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker today applauded the on-going collaboration between the UK and China in working towards a low carbon future, at a reception at Lancaster House.

A joint statement, signed by Minister Barker and the Governor of Guangdong (People’s Republic of China), Zhu Xiaodan, pledged to continue co-operation to promote low-carbon development and energy efficiency technologies.

Minister Barker and the Governor of Guangdong (People’s Republic of China), Zhu Xiaodan sign the statement.

Minister Barker and the Governor of Guangdong (People’s Republic of China), Zhu Xiaodan sign the statement at Lancaster House.

Minister Barker said:

“The coalition is determined to broaden and deepen our relationship with China, especially in relation to combating dangerous climate change and realising the huge commercial opportunities in the fast growing low carbon goods and services sector. International partnership is essential to both.

“This joint statement signals a commitment made by Guangdong Province and the UK to work together to develop a green, clean world for future generations.”

The meeting at Lancaster House comes amid a visit to China that the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey, has just made, to consolidate the two countries’ partnership on tacking climate change. Mr Davey met with a range of China’s top decision makers to discuss ways of working together to transform the economies of both countries so that they are low carbon and environmentally sustainable.

Notes for editors:

  1. The aim of the meeting at Lancaster House will be to exchange ideas on the shared challenge of tackling climate change and advancing low carbon development.

  2. Energy Minister Greg Barker and Governor Zhu Xiaodan of Guangdong Province will sign a joint statement to agree to deepen co-operation in: * Researching low-carbon technologies * Developing clean energy * Co-operating on green, low-carbon architecture * Promoting clean and energy efficient manufacturing * Building capacity in low carbon policy making and implementation.

  3. The UK has recently supported low carbon project work in the Guangdong Province, including: * Helping business, including state-owned enterprises, develop low-carbon footprinting models * Develop low-carbon product standards * Supporting the development of China’s first carbon market pilot in Shenzhen * Reducing emissions from industrial parks.

  4. An agreement has also been signed between the UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre and partners in Guangdong to establish a joint UK/Guangdong Carbon Capture and Storage Centre network. The aim of the network is to promote joint research and development, provide advice for governments and develop ways to exchange knowledge between the participating parties. For more information, contact the Scottish Carbon Capture & Storage communications team: indira.mann@sccs.org.uk / 0131 650 0294.

Published 27 September 2013