China and the EU will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
on near-zero emissions coal technology next week, the European
Commission (EC) announced in Brussels on Sunday.?
The pact will be signed by EU Energy Commissioner Andris
Piebalgs and Ma Songde, China's vice minister for Science and
Technology during Piebalgs' visit to China next week.?
The MOU builds upon and strengthens work on these programs or
initiatives such as the Action Plans on clean coal technologies,
energy efficiency and renewable energy, the EU-China Dialogue on
Energy and Transport Strategies, the Scientific and Technological
Cooperation Agreement and the EU-China Energy and Environment
Program, according to the EC.?
The MOU will encourage the development of technology allowing
the capture and underground storage of carbon dioxide emitted from
coal-fired power stations -- an issue of potential significance in
the fight against climate change.?
"Energy is one of the EU's foremost concerns and I am glad to
have this opportunity to discuss the way ahead with my Chinese
counterparts," said Commissioner Piebalgs, who will also attend the
6th EU-China Energy Conference in Shanghai.?
"This new agreement on zero emission power generation is another
example of the developing partnership between the EU and China in
science and research," EU Science and Research Commissioner Janez
Potocnik was quoted as saying in an EC press release. .?
Carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power generation are
growing rapidly and present a serious challenge to the long-term
stability of the climate.?
During the EU-China summit last year, both China and the
EU? pledged to work together to meet the challenges of energy
security, increased pressure on global energy resources and climate
change.?
China and the EU are also strengthening their scientific links.
There are more than 100 joint research projects being carried out
by Chinese and European teams. China is also a partner in the
Galileo satellite system and the ITER fusion project.
(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2006)