Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the seminar CarbonCapture and Storage – Where Are We Today?

First of all, I would like to ask the question; WHY are we here today?

This is an essential point, and, one could argue, the very reason why we are here today is the fact that fossil fuels will be with us long into the future. According to a business as usual scenario made by the International Energy Agency, energy demand is projected to rise by over 60 % up to 2030. By then, more than 80 % of the energy sources will be fossil fuels. We all agree that this scenario is not environmentally sustainable.

As a general point, we should aim at implementing the most cost-efficient measures first. We know that in many parts of the world a change from goal to gas would represent an important environmental gain. Strong and forceful policies to promote renewable energy sources and more efficient energy use have traditionally been regarded as the best means to achieve a more sustainable energy system. And in fact, the environmental benefits gained by relatively cheap energy efficiency measures, would constitute a significant contribution. This is valid for all sectors.

However, there is a growing recognition that the environmental challenge posed by the present energy system cannot be solved through such measures alone. The negative environmental effects of continued use of fossil fuels will have to be dealt with. Therefore, decarbonisation of fossil fuels via CO ₂ capture and storage could play an essential role in the development of a more sustainable energy system in the medium to long-term. Limiting CO ₂ emissions from energy generation is a key in this regard. This is true both for Europe and the world at large.

The entry into force of the Kyoto protocol is an important milestone. We have established an international framework to regulate the emissions of greenhouse gases in a cost-efficient way. Posing a cost to emitting CO ₂ and other greenhouse gases would also prompt the development of technology needed to tackle the challenge of climate change.

The problem is global, and the solutions can only be found through combined efforts at the international level, and through broad cooperation between governments, industry and research institutions.

I am very pleased to see that we have managed to attract so many people to this seminar. Carbon capture and storage is an important issue indeed, and I look forward to interesting presentations from all our speakers.

We are in good hands today; our chairman, Mr. Bjørn-Erik Haugan, is the Director of Gassnova - a newly set up public facility to promote technologies for carbon emission abatement.

Let me now give the word to my colleague, The Minister of the Environment, Mr. Knut Arild Hareide.

Thank you very much for your attention, and enjoy the seminar!