Carbon emissions to soar unless we invest between now and 2030
12th October 2009
New Energy Finance and the World Economic Forum have warned that unless at least $515bn per annum is invested in clean energy between now and 2030, carbon emissions will reach a level deemed unsustainable by scientists, causing temperatures to rise by two degrees globally.
The UK government has repeatedly stated that nurturing a profitable clean tech sector has the potential to generate both urgently needed carbon emission reductions and the sustainable economic growth that will be required to tackle the impending social and economic effects of climate change.
But despite the government’s setting of ambitious targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions of at least 60 per cent, and potentially up to 80 per cent, against 1990 levels by 2050 that signal real commitment to developing a low carbon economy the UK private investment community is still largely failing to provide risk capital to clean tech start-ups.
The Guardian UK Cleantech Summit, taking place in London on 23 November aims to catalyse action within the climate change and investment communities and inspire every constituent stakeholder to seize the moment for cleantech in the UK.
For further information about the event, topics and speakers visit guardian.co.uk/cleantechsummit