Cleaner Energy Vital for Global Prosperity
The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has told the 10th Sustainable Development Summit in Delhi the Australian Government believes clean energy technologies are vital to achieve economic and social prosperity in the developing world. Clean energy technologies deliver quality of life through clean air, clean water and the sustainable use of energy resources.
Minister Ferguson told the first major international meeting on sustainable development since the UN conference in Copenhagen that economic development and wealth creation go hand in hand with solving the world's environmental challenges.
Minister Ferguson said: "Technology created many of the problems we have today, and the next generation of technology will be the solution. Such is the power of human capital and creativity."
The 10th Sustainable Development Summit in Delhi is being attended by the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh and Heads of States and Ministers from over twenty nations.
Minister Ferguson said: "There has been much said in recent months relating to the challenge of climate change and the responses available to us.
"It is also important we do not lose sight of the importance of developing and deploying clean technologies which improve air and water quality as well as the efficiency of our energy use because they will deliver the public health, clean environment, and other sustainable development outcomes we all seek.
"Experience shows that it requires action by governments to create the right policy frameworks and incentives to accelerate investment in developing the technologies to achieve these goals. Advanced technologies will improve productivity and reduce health and environmental impact through every sector of our economies."
Minister Ferguson yesterday witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on New and Renewable Energy with Dr Farooq Abdullah, India's Minister for New and Renewable Energy. Minister Ferguson is also meeting government ministers and senior officials in Delhi to promote Australia's resources and energy potential to one of Australia's most important trading partners. This includes the uptake of clean energy technologies to boost economic growth while addressing sustainability issues associated with energy use.
Minister Ferguson is also promoting the inaugural Australia-India Energy and Minerals Forum scheduled to be held in Perth in May. The Forum will provide a good opportunity to engage with Indian decision-makers from across government, research organisations and industry, to build and strengthen our bilateral relationship on energy and minerals, and for Australian and Indian companies to showcase their clean energy expertise.