Tal
Informellt ministermöte 10 februari 2012
Anna-Karin Hatt, It- och energiminister

Renewable energy is the way to a sustainable future

Check against delivery!

Thank you Mr Chairman,

I am sorry for not being able to be in Paris today. Unfortunately I had a scheduled and unavoidable meeting with Parliament this morning.
So many thanks for arranging this pragmatic solution with a video link - most suitable as I am also minister for Information Technology.

Regarding the energy challenges for the EU;

First - The main challenge that we face is not just a European one - it is a global challenge. The International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook last November made alarming reading, stating that the door to meet the two degree Centigrade target is rapidly closing. We are now heading for a 3.5 degree increase. Yet there is clear scientific consensus that the financial cost and as well as the consequences will increase the longer we go on waiting to take the necessary measures.

The question is not if the world will have to change its energy systems. The question is when we will do it, and at what cost. So far the EU has shown real international leadership. It is essential we continue to do so.

So the question is not if we can afford to reduce emissions, but how little we can afford to wait. The International Energy Agency estimates that each dollar not invested in CO2-neutral infrastructure before 2020, will cost 4.3 dollars in investment to compensate for the resulting increased emissions.

I also wish to be absolutely clear that there is real hope. The changes needed are still possible, and they will be considerably cheaper than the cost of waiting.

That is why Sweden so warmly welcomes the Energy Roadmap 2050 and, not least, the scenario of a high use of renewable energies. If we are to build a long term sustainable energy system renewable energy will be the only way forward. In Sweden we are now almost half way to this goal, with nearly 50 per cent of our energy supply from renewables.

It is very important that the Council will adopt the most ambitious conclusions regarding decarbonisation. I also hope it will be followed by concrete policy proposals from the Commission. Sweden welcomes binding intermediary targets for emission reductions for 2030 and 2040.

Based on our experience I am convinced that we can achieve our targets without risking the competitiveness of European industry. In fact the opposite is true: energy transition will contribute to growth. For many years, Sweden has worked to combine high economic growth with high environmental standards. Between 1990 and 2008, economic growth was 50%. In the same period, carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by 12%.

So how do we reduce emissions - with which technology? Well, there will be no one, single energy silver bullet. I don't think any single technology will ever become as globally dominating as oil has been during the past fifty years.

But nor do we have to wait for new technologies. What we need is concrete action, and political decisions, now. I am sure we will see countries and industries explore a whole range of carbon neutral technologies such as wind- and solar power. Greater variation in energy mixes than in the past are likely, which will further create new jobs and drive economic development.

In Sweden our power production is essentially carbon neutral as it mainly relies on nuclear and hydro. However, hydropower cannot be nationally expanded any further, and the accident at Fukushima once again raised questions about the risks of nuclear power. Nuclear power is inherently associated with specific environmental and safety problems. So Swedish energy policy aims at reducing our dependency on nuclear power and hydro by increasing both production from renewable energy sources, and by increasing energy efficiency.

Colleagues, the challenge is historic, and history will judge us on what we do - or fail to do. The challenge is great, but not overwhelming. Most importantly: it is a challenge that is still possible to overcome.

Both the Energy Roadmap and the World Energy Outlook point in the same direction: We need political leadership and decisions that concretely reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We must show that leadership to the world if we are to head towards a common, more sustainable future for our children, and our children's children.

Thank you.