SCOTLAND COULD SWAP OIL FOR SOLAR, WIND OR WAVEENERGY, SAYS GREENPEACE

26 September 1997

Greenpeace is calling for a super solar factory to be built in Scotland, a Scottish National Party conference fringe meeting will be told today.

In its new report "Renewable Energy - An Opportunity for Scotland", being launched at the conference, Greenpeace also argues that as Scotland has the largest wind and wave resource in Europe it is well-placed to wean itself off reliance on the oil industry for future prosperity. The report concludes that Atlantic Frontier oil is not necessary either for Scotland's energy supplies, nor for jobs.

The SNP is being urged by Greenpeace to review its current oil policy because of the growing threat of climate change. The existing policy encourages "exploration to increase known reserves [of oil]" and support a tax regime which would "enhance the development of marginal fields".

High up on the Greenpeace report's list of recommendations, that it says will bring jobs and prosperity to Scotland, is the creation of a super solar factory with backing from the Scottish Office and local government. But the environment group, that has been campaigning against new oil development in the Atlantic Frontier because of the link between burning fossil fuels and climate change, also calls for:

"The world will soon have to say 'no' to developing fossil fuel industries, like oil, gas and coal, if it is going to save the climate," said Greenpeace campaigner, Pete Roche, who will address the 'Future for Oil on a Warming Planet' fringe meeting. "Science is telling us in no uncertain terms that we cannot afford to burn a quarter of known fossil fuel reserves let alone look for more if we want to avoid dangerous climate change."

"Scotland could take a lead by developing new technologies. At present the UK is lagging behind with very little investment overall in solar or other renewables. Japan has a plan to create 70,000 solar homes by the year 2000, whereas Britain has only five ."

Pete Roche congratulated the SNP on its progressive renewable energy policy to date, saying that the party had already called for 50% of Scottish electricity to be produced from renewable resources within 10 years.

"Our recommendations could help make this dream a reality and enable Scotland to avoid being left with a legacy of a dying oil industry, "

said Pete Roche.

"Even if we're aiming for the European Union's rather dangerous target of keeping global average temperature increases below 2°C over the next century, we're still going to have to leave half of existing fossil fuel reserves in the ground - it is nonsensical to continue exploring for more".

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Greenpeace Press Office on 0171 865 8255/6/7 or 0171 865 8285.

Notes to Editors.

(1)
The 'Future for Oil on a Warming Planet' Fringe Meeting will be in the Lesser Hall in the Pavilion at 6pm on Friday September 26. Roseanna Cunningham MP will also speak at the meeting. Pete Roche will be available for interview before and after the meeting.
(2)
SNP policy details extracted from"Yes We Can Win the Best for Scotland: The SNP General Election Manifesto 1997"
(3)
The Liberal Democrats Conference this week agreed on a Climate Policy which aims for the safer target of keeping global average temperatures below 1°C.
(4)
Copies of the 'Renewable Energy - An Opportunity for Scotland' are available from Pete Roche at the Conference or from the Greenpeace Press Office.
(5)
BP Solar coordinated a report in 1997 that shows that solar electricity could be made cost-effective overnight with the right investment. For £350 m, which is just half the cost of BP's current investment in the Foinaven oil field , a super solar factory could be built that produces 5 million panels annually.
(6)
Ninety MPs and many UK environment groups have supported different aspects of Greenpeace's Atlantic Frontier campaign. 150,000 people have so far signed a petition calling on Tony Blair to halt the oil development and invest in renewable energy sources.