Parliamentarians from over 40 countries will be meeting for two days to discuss issues relating to energy security as well as their responses to high oil prices. As EU President, Britain is hosting this year's Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

6th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on renewable energy and energy efficiency in Edinburgh, 6-8 October 2005

Parliamentarians from over 40 countries will be meeting for two days to discuss issues relating to energy security as well as their responses to high oil prices. As EU President, Britain is hosting this year's Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The goal of the meeting is to stimulate action amongst governments to foster a marketplace for clean energy, as energy security and climate change become a priority for countries around the world.

"High oil prices and the effects of climate change clearly show the urgency to strengthen and improve the strategy on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The 6th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on renewable energy and energy efficiency offers a great opportunity to take steps in the right direction", said Mechtild Rothe, Member of the European Parliament and President of EUFORES (European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources) looking ahead to the 6th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on renewable energy and energy efficiency in Edinburgh under the UK EU-Presidency, 6 - 8 October 2005.

The Inter-Parliamentary Meeting provides a forum for high-level dialogue on renewable energy and energy efficiency policy between members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and national parliaments across the EU and from China, India and Japan. The meeting will allow policy makers to determine the most appropriate methods for creating the best possible legal frameworks for a sustainable energy supply.

"What we know now about climate change means that we only have a finite amount of time ahead of us to put the right energy policies in place. We also know of the enormous benefits from renewable energy in terms of security of supply, environmental protection and energy efficiency. We need to be taking long-term decisions on the future of renewable energy right now", said Alan Whitehead, Member of the House of Commons and Chair of PRASEG (Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group).

According to estimations of the European Commission the EU will become up to 70% dependent on non-EU energy imports by 2030 if no major changes to energy production occur. The future security of Europe's energy supply will be founded on a mix of energy sources. Allowing renewable energy to play a role in stabilizing Europe's future energy supply must begin now. Implementing energy efficiency measures and fostering a clean energy marketplace helps to develop both security of supply, and also job creation and export promotion. Europe's renewable energy and energy efficiency industry is a world leader for the majority of the clean energy technologies. Changing policies in support of clean energy creates a more secure environment from a variety of perspectives.

"Let's produce and save energy locally. In particular the coherent interplay between renewable energy and energy efficiency policy measures will be the key for reducing CO-2 emissions and Europe's dependency on imported fossil fuels. Not only will the increase of oil and gas prices continuously have negative impacts on our economy, but also the high price volatility of fossil fuels lessens macroeconomic growth," said Claude Turmes, Member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of EUFORES.

EUFORES and PRASEG are organizing the 6th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting with the assistance of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP). Together these three organisations are counting on the interaction of parliamentarians and ministers from around the world to exchange perspectives and to discuss concrete actions for accelerating the marketplace for renewables. "Ultimately it is the policy makers who will drive change through the introduction of legislation and regulation which are in support of renewable energy and energy efficiency. If market risk is lowered through a strong regulatory market for clean energy, the finance community will follow with investment," stated Marianne Osterkorn, International Director of the REEEP. This week's meeting will build on the high level of visibility and credibility that the previous meetings have received. Meetings in the past have led to strong policy initiatives.


For further information, please contact:

Marc Timmer

Director EUFORES

mtimmer@eufores.org,

Tel. : 0032-2-5461948.

Fax : 0032-2-5461934,

Mobile : 0032-486-264070