Low carbon growth is to be the focus of a joint UK-China deal that was formally agreed today during a state visit to London by Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang.
Both countries have agreed to formally work together to accelerate the shift to a low carbon future.
The Memorandum of Understanding will take forward the agreement reached during last year’s UK-China Summit to develop a new partnerships scheme for promoting low-carbon growth at provincial and city level in China.
Following today's announcement, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said: “Making green growth a reality for both countries will be crucial for prosperity, the environment and for our energy security.
“Today’s agreement demonstrates that the UK and China want to accelerate this shift to low carbon and are committed to greater collaboration on energy markets and low carbon technology.”
The UK China Low Carbon Co-operation (LCC) will strengthen the exchange of practical policy know-how and expertise between the UK and China’s Low Carbon Pilot Provinces and Municipalities on three principal themes:
* Low-carbon planning
* Use of market mechanisms, including emissions accounting and trading, and wider low carbon policy frameworks and analysis to encourage low-carbon development and energy efficiency;
* Low carbon standards, low-carbon labelling and procurement to bring about low carbon consumption.
The UK-China LCC will focus initially on co-operation between the UK and the following low carbon pilots in China: Chongqing, Guangdong and Hubei, which have a combined population of 180 million people.
Both countries will work towards establishing a UK-China Low Carbon Co-operation Committee and Action Plan in Spring 2011.
Earlier, the visiting Chinese delegation announced the conclusion of a $10 million licensing agreement between a Sino-Scots company and a Scotland based engineering firm on processing domestic waste into energy.
The agreement between Shanghai Huanuan Boiler and Vessel Co/Cochran and Scotland based engineering company, W2E Engineering Ltd Scotland, means that technology pioneered in Scotland will be introduced into China with the building of a renewable energy conversion plant.
The announcement coincided with a visit by Vice Premier Li and six Chinese Ministers to a presentation on Scotland's rapidly growing offshore renewable industry and a tour of Pelamis Wave Power in Edinburgh.
The events aimed to showcase Scotland's world-leading wind and marine energy technology developers and manufacturers, and the economic opportunities its renewable energy industry presents for potential investors across the world.
W2E, who specialise in generating electricity from domestic refuse by gasification, signed a licensing and manufacturing agreement with SHBV/Cochran that plans to provide SHBV/Cochran with a minimum $60 million of business per year for next 10 years. This work will be carried out in Annan, Dumfriesshire, and a new facility will be by SHBV in China.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This announcement positions SHBV/Cochran as a global leader in providing the technological know-how to support green energy developments with major expansion potential in China and elsewhere. This agreement with W2E will now result in a working partnership to fulfil alternative energy solutions that are sustainable, renewable and environmentally proven.
"SHBV/Cochran intend to build green power stations using this technology both in Scotland and in China. While China will benefit from improved waste management, green power and the direct manufacturing jobs in building the equipment and constructing and operating the plant, the Annan plant will benefit from undertaking the R&D, engineering and project management. This can then be applied to future green energy plants in UK, China and worldwide, potentially making Annan a centre of excellence for this technology.
"A number of Scottish energy companies, such as the Glasgow based Sgurr Energy, have already entered the Chinese market and this visit will help to showcase the innovation and skills that Scotland's green energy sector offers potential investors.
"China already has the largest deployment of on-shore renewable technology, and Scotland is a world-leader in pioneering the technology and application of clean, green energy. This announcement is another positive step forward in strengthening Sino-Scottish links and confirming Scotland's reputation as a global leader in the development of renewable energy."
Shanghai Huanuan Boiler and Vessel Co Chairman Mr Dong Ping said: "Contributing to environmental protection is the duty of every citizen and the conclusion of this 10m USD deal will introduce this world class technology from Scotland into China. This agreement will see the creation of new green power stations built in Scotland and in China and this will generate sustainable renewable energy at a reduced cost for our global customers."
"Contributing to environmental protection is the duty of every citizen and the conclusion of this 10m USD deal will introduce this world class technology from Scotland into China. This agreement will see the creation of new green power stations built in Scotland and in China and this will generate sustainable renewable energy at a reduced cost for our global customers."
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