03/05/2006 - Minister
for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian
Campbell, has announced he will lead Australia’s
largest ever renewable energy and energy efficiency
trade mission to China in October.
Speaking at the Business Council
for Sustainable Energy annual conference in Brisbane
today, Senator Campbell said the mission would
help Australian renewable energy industry interests
establish high-level contacts with business and
government representatives in China.
“China presents a huge potential
market for Australian renewable energy products
and expertise, particularly in light of its booming
economy and energy demand,” Senator Campbell said.
“Demand for energy in China is already enormous
and is growing by 9.5 per cent every year. It
is currently the world’s second largest producer
of greenhouse gas emissions and those emissions
are also growing by almost 3 per cent a year.
“This, combined with severe
environmental pollution issues, means China is
looking to the renewable sector to play a key
role in meeting its future energy needs and is
seeking Australian expertise in areas such as
wind, biomass and solar energy.
“The time is right for Australian renewable energy
businesses to explore and engage with this major
market opportunity. Through initiatives such as
this trade mission the Australian Government will
be there to help them open the door.”
Senator Campbell said the need
to effectively engage China in practical climate
change action had long been a priority for the
Australian Government.
“The strong relationship we
have built with China under the Australia-China
Climate Change Partnership is not only paying
off in terms of government-to-government climate
change cooperation, it is helping to provide new
opportunities for industry.
“This relationship is being further consolidated
through the work of the Asia-Pacific Partnership
on Clean Development and Climate.”
Senator Campbell said the development,
deployment and transfer of low emissions technologies,
including renewable energy technologies, was a
key area of focus for future activities under
both partnerships.
“A Ministerial-led trade mission to China will
demonstrate the seriousness and extent of Australia’s
interests and capabilities in this area, and will
help Australian businesses gain access to this
rapidly growing market.”
