Sweden To Try To End Fossil Fuels Dependency By 2020 - PM
Dow Jones News
STOCKHOLM (AP)--Prime Minister Goran Persson said Tuesday that Sweden will try to end its dependency on fossil fuels in 15 years by boosting research devoted to alternative energy sources.
Persson, addressing lawmakers returning to Parliament after the summer recess, said global warming was a growing concern.
"We are frightened by climate change today," Persson said as he laid out government policy for the next 12 months. "The mean temperature of the earth is rising, and it is rising most nearest to the poles.... A new goal will be set: creation of the conditions necessary to end Sweden's dependence on fossil fuels by 2020."
Persson said the government will increase spending on energy research and will start subsidizing exports of environmental technology. Wind power will be extended and a tax regime promoting renewable energy sources would continue, he said. For example, taxes would be reduced for cars running on natural gas instead of gasoline.
Persson also said 35% of the cars driven by government employees would either run completely on electricity or renewable fuels, or be hybrid cars.
King Carl XVI Gustaf also expressed environmental concerns when he officially opened the parliament's 2005-06 session before lawmakers and foreign dignitaries.
The monarch said recent natural disasters, such as the tsunami in southeast Asia, Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and, on a smaller scale, a January storm that did extensive damage in southern Sweden, "have once again renewed the questions about the connection between man's lifestyle and changes in the climate."
"The climate issue is central for the future of modern society," the king said.
Persson, who will co-chair the U.N's high-level summit that starts Wednesday in New York, also called for changes in the composition of the Security Council. He didn't give details in his speech, but has earlier suggested giving seats to countries including India, Japan and Brazil.
The prime minister called for a peace-building commission and council for human rights to be established within the organization.
Calling for increased peace efforts in the Middle East, Persson said the recent Israeli withdrawal from Gaza "must be a first step toward two states within secure and recognized borders as envisaged in the road map" for peace.
Persson also called for a continued expansion of the European Union, singling out the Balkan countries and Turkey as candidates for membership.
"All European countries that meet the requirements must in time be able to become members, not least the countries in the Balkans," Persson said. "Turkey should be allowed to initiate membership talks as planned."
STOCKHOLM (AP)--Prime Minister Goran Persson said Tuesday that Sweden will try to end its dependency on fossil fuels in 15 years by boosting research devoted to alternative energy sources.
Persson, addressing lawmakers returning to Parliament after the summer recess, said global warming was a growing concern.
"We are frightened by climate change today," Persson said as he laid out government policy for the next 12 months. "The mean temperature of the earth is rising, and it is rising most nearest to the poles.... A new goal will be set: creation of the conditions necessary to end Sweden's dependence on fossil fuels by 2020."
Persson said the government will increase spending on energy research and will start subsidizing exports of environmental technology. Wind power will be extended and a tax regime promoting renewable energy sources would continue, he said. For example, taxes would be reduced for cars running on natural gas instead of gasoline.
Persson also said 35% of the cars driven by government employees would either run completely on electricity or renewable fuels, or be hybrid cars.
King Carl XVI Gustaf also expressed environmental concerns when he officially opened the parliament's 2005-06 session before lawmakers and foreign dignitaries.
The monarch said recent natural disasters, such as the tsunami in southeast Asia, Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and, on a smaller scale, a January storm that did extensive damage in southern Sweden, "have once again renewed the questions about the connection between man's lifestyle and changes in the climate."
"The climate issue is central for the future of modern society," the king said.
Persson, who will co-chair the U.N's high-level summit that starts Wednesday in New York, also called for changes in the composition of the Security Council. He didn't give details in his speech, but has earlier suggested giving seats to countries including India, Japan and Brazil.
The prime minister called for a peace-building commission and council for human rights to be established within the organization.
Calling for increased peace efforts in the Middle East, Persson said the recent Israeli withdrawal from Gaza "must be a first step toward two states within secure and recognized borders as envisaged in the road map" for peace.
Persson also called for a continued expansion of the European Union, singling out the Balkan countries and Turkey as candidates for membership.
"All European countries that meet the requirements must in time be able to become members, not least the countries in the Balkans," Persson said. "Turkey should be allowed to initiate membership talks as planned."
posted by Marcel at 4:52 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home