ONE of the most significant decisions of the century so far must be the Chinese government鈥檚 plan to treble the capacity of its coal-fired power stations by 2020. It is essential that we engage with China to ensure effective technology transfer 鈥� not least on cleaner coal technology, which could have a major impact on reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.
The UK has a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China, signed with the country鈥檚 Ministry of Science and Technology in 1988. Its aim is to focus science and technology transfer under the Department of Trade and Industry Cleaner Coal Technology Programme. This, the environment minister Elliot Morley tells me, will demonstrate UK competence in the technologies, and hence the country鈥檚 suitability as a future source of equipment. It will assist China in reducing the environmental impact of increased coal use. This is urgent, given how many new stations are being built (快猫短视频, 3 April, p 7).
Several collaborative projects involving UK industry and universities have been initiated under this MoU. These include work on advanced power-generation technologies such as supercritical combustion and air-blown gasification of coal to drive a 鈥渃ombined cycle鈥� with both gas and steam turbines. There is also research on the combustion behaviour and other properties of Chinese coals and the development of sulphur-reduction equipment.
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We should give the Chinese any expertise that the UK has developed in carbon dioxide capture and storage free, since it will be to the advantage of the whole world.
THE International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture came into force on 29 June. This is a hugely important measure, designed to prevent food shortages being caused by the failure of major crop varieties. Ben Bradshaw, the junior minister for nature conservation and fisheries, tells me his department is already 鈥渇ully engaged in the coordination of the conservation and sustainable use of native farm animal genetic resources鈥�.
At the moment the UK chairs the European Regional Focal Point for FAnGR 鈥� the UN Food and Agriculture Organization鈥檚 strategy for the management of farm animal genetic resources. This forum gathers the national coordinators of 37 European countries to encourage collaboration and cost-saving in the conservation of Europe鈥檚 livestock breeds and their greater use in sustainable farming systems. One contribution is a gene bank for rare breeds in the UK being set up by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust with government support. And the European Commission has just introduced a new regulation to encourage further European collaboration on genetic resources, notably on conserving breeds.
Preserving genetic diversity in our livestock breeds, as for plants, is the key to the future of sustainable livestock production.
