Much thought is currently going into long-term energy and climate change issues, particularly given the possibility of a sustained rise in energy prices and questions and the unknown nature of any post-Kyoto agreements.

For this reason, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) is organizing a CoP11 side-event that will address long-term issues of energy policy and greenhouse gas emissions by discussing what the world might look like in 2050 if nations agreed to pursue the development of a low carbon economy.

The structure of this event reflects the NRTEE’s belief that a transition to a low carbon economy will involve national and international level efforts that require the involvement of both public and private sector players.

Programme

1:00 pm	Introduction and opening remarks Glen Murray Chair, National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE)
1:15 pm	Michael Grubb Chief Economist, UK Carbon Trust The UK has been implementing its long- term energy strategy titled “Our Energy Future – Creating a Low-Carbon Economy”. This strategy aims to achieve a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050. This presentation will focus on the practical implications of implementing such a strategy.
1:35 pm	Glen Murray Chair, NRTEE The NRTEE has been asked to examine Canada’s role in a low-carbon future and to develop advice on a long-term energy and climate change strategy for Canada that sets the course for the economy in the period 2030-2050. While this work will only be completed in April 2006, the Chair of the NRTEE will discuss some the study and some preliminary findings.
2:05 pm	Daniel Gagnier Senior Vice President, Alcan Major energy infrastructure development and renewal will be necessary in both developed and developing countries: this presentation will focus on the need to coordinate a world technology response.
2:20 pm	Question and answer period
2:50 pm	Closing remarks Glen Murray Chair, NRTEE