Energy Minister will tell the world’s
largest Arctic conference that Scotland can help power its
northern neighbours’ journey to net zero.
During meetings at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik,
Iceland, the Minister is expected to highlight Scotland’s
expertise in renewable energy and seek to strengthen
international partnerships in delivering technologies like green
hydrogen and offshore wind.
The Assembly takes place from 19 to 21 October 2023 and will be
attended by ministers, diplomats and academics from countries
including Sweden, Norway, the US and Canada. Ms Martin will also
meet the President of next month’s COP28 UN climate change summit
in the United Arab Emirates, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jabar, as well as
other senior decision makers.
The Energy Minister said:
“As the most northerly non-Arctic nation, we are ideally placed
to connect the European Arctic with central Europe and bridge the
North Sea and North Atlantic. We have the resources, skills and
ambition to lead from the front in advancing green energy
technologies and accelerating decarbonisation across our shared
neighbourhood.
“We have a massive potential pipeline of offshore wind projects,
which is the equivalent of producing enough electricity annually
to power every home in Scotland for 17 years. Scotland is also
the most advanced hub in Europe for marine energy and is home to
some of the world’s first, largest and most advanced tidal stream
deployments.
“We are able to be a leading provider of green energy in the
North Atlantic and Arctic region. Achieving energy security while
tackling climate change requires a mutual endeavour and we are
ready to play our part.
“Scotland was the first country to declare a global emergency in
2019 to address the effects of climate change. I look forward to
meaningful discussions with the organisers of this year’s UN
climate change summit on how we create the momentum necessary for
worldwide change.”
Background
The Scottish Government published an Arctic policy framework and
is supporting collaboration between Scotland and Arctic nations
through the Arctic Connections Fund.
During her three-day visit from Wednesday 18 October, the
Minister is also meeting:
- the Icelandic Parliament’s Environment and Communications
Committee
- National Energy Authority Director General Halla Hrund
Logadóttir
- Nordic Council of Ministers Secretary General Karen Ellemann
- Alaska US Senator Lisa Murkowski
- Swedish Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari
- UAE Climate Change and Environment Minister Mariam Almheiri
- Belgium Environment Minister Zakia Khattabi
- Iceland Environment, Energy and Climate Minister Guðlaugur
Þór Þórðarson
