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Information about the high-level conference ”Fighting Climate Change with Carbon Capture and Storage” in Bergen, Norway, 27 – 28 May 2009.

For information about the conference program and registration for the media, please see: www.ccsnorway.no

Conference objective

The conference in Bergen aims at bringing climate technologies where it belongs – at the top of the international climate change agenda. High-level policy makers will share their policies and strategies and explore with others concrete experiences, priorities and initiatives as part of a comprehensive global approach for delivering climate solutions. We will in particular be aiming for a frank and open discussion on carbon capture and storage (CCS) as one of many promising climate technologies.. Politician’s viewpoints on CCS will be expected as part of a high-level discussion on climate change and technology. The conference should accelerate the progress of innovative climate technologies.

High-level policy makers will be offered new insights by experts, business executives, R&D and NGOs sharing their experience and describing opportunities of climate technologies/CCS. The aim is to expand the knowledge base for political action against global warming.

A chairman’s summary will, on the basis of the high-level discussion, be fed into relevant international processes as COP 15, G8 and in the World Bank.

To achieve the conference objective, three main arenas will be organized:

1. Excursion for VIPs to the CCS facility at the “Sleipner” platform in the North Sea on 27 May to share Norwegian experiences.

2. High level dialogue with heads of governments and ministers at the opening session on Wednesday 27 May

Heads of state and ministers from different countries participate. This arena opens for a broad spectre of views, policies and strategies for dealing with climate change and bringing up key challenges and opportunities related to carbon capture and storage, which will be further explored at the conference the following day.
This session will be organized as a dialogue or conversation between heads of government and ministers having different experiences and opinions.
This interactive dialogue and conversation will be moderated by Nik Gowing (BBC). High-level participants will be given the opportunity to promote and explain their own viewpoints and priorities at this dialogue. Moderator will follow up with questions.
This opening session will last 2 ½ hour with an audience of up to 500 participants from media, business, civil society and other stakeholders. It will be a public event, held in the Grieg-hall, a landmark building in Bergen and venue for the annual “Bergen International Festival”.
The opening session will also have a short welcoming statements by the host, Prime Minister Stoltenberg and multimedia-elements.

3. Expert sessions with ministers on the most important aspects of CCS, Thursday 28 May

This arena will explore key challenges and opportunities related to carbon capture and storage projects as identified at the high level dialogue.
Norwegian ministers will have opening statements followed by presentations by appr. 20 experts on the following topics:
• Delivering climate solutions. The potential of CCS.
• Environmentally sound transport and storage of CO2. Experiences and challenges. • Financing climate technologies. What incentives work for CCS projects? • Global need for more energy and less CO2. Can we achieve both?
Q & A and debate with the audience will follow each thematic session.
Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre will close the conference by presenting the Conference Summary.

Participation – confirmed and expected

15-20 ministers from as many countries are expected to participate. The ministers are representing different sectors such as energy, environment, economy and technology. Heads of Governments will also be present, in addition to IPCC and CEOs from multinational oil- and gas companies.

Media opportunities

Live web-cast from the conference on 27 and 28 May. Speeches and debates may be published live on any website.
A press conference will be arranged at the conference venue: Grieg Hall after arrival from the Sleipner platform on 27 May.
Media will have access to the conference site. A press centre will be established.
Live position. Possibilities for live-news coverage via satellite.
Ftp server with footage from the visit to the Sleipner platform and from the conference available free of charge.

Short list of key events

Excursion for VIPs to the CCS facility “Sleipner” in the North Sea
High-level opening session with leadership dialogue hosted by Prime Minister Stoltenberg
Concert organized by Bergen International Festival
Expert / minister conference on carbon capture and storage
Side event: International Energy Agency Global Peer Review. Report to G8.

If interested to attend the coference register at: www.ccsNorway.no

source.mfa.no

Carbon Capture conference in Bergen 27 - 28 May: 15-20 ministers from as many countries are expected to participate.