October 20, 2006

U.S. Ambassador to the European Union C. Boyden Gray will participate in the first meeting of the U.S.-EU High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy, and Sustainable Development in Helsinki, Finland, on October 24-25, 2006. The U.S. and the EU agreed at their June 2006 Summit in Vienna to hold this dialogue to build on existing transatlantic initiatives and further advance the G-8 Gleneagles Plan of Action for Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development, which was approved last year.

At the Helsinki meeting, participants are expected to discuss policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; clean coal technologies; carbon capture and storage; renewable energy sources; energy efficiency; cleaner and more efficient vehicles; sustainable development, and more. In each case, the dialogue will center on the potential for new or enhanced U.S.-EU cooperation and coordination.

Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky will lead the U.S. delegation, which will be co-chaired by James Connaughton, chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Under Secretary of Energy David Garman. Finland's Environment Minister Jan-Erik Enestam and Minister of Trade and Industry Mauri Pekkarinen will host the meeting for the EU Presidency, along with the European Commission. Other participants will include the Commission's environment, transport and energy directorates, and representatives from the upcoming EU Council Presidency Germany, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The U.S. and European countries are committed to improving environmental standards within the framework of a growing economy. They have already been working together on programs such as the Methane to Markets Partnership, the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, and the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy.

U.S. President George W. Bush expressed his strong desire for further cooperation on these issues last year during meetings with EU leaders in Brussels. “Our alliance is determined to show good stewardship of the earth…and that requires addressing the serious, long-term challenge of global climate change,” he stated. “Emerging technologies such as hydrogen-powered vehicles, electricity from renewable energy sources, clean coal technology, will encourage economic growth that is environmentally responsible,” he said. “All of us can use the power of human ingenuity to improve the environment for generations to come.”

Related information:
Department of Energy Releases Strategic Plan to Address Energy Challenges (Oct 2, 2006)
2006 Strategic Plan
U.S.-EU Summit Declaration (June 21, 2006)
U.S., EU Discuss Energy Security, Economic Growth, Environment (June 20, 2005)