He said he knows that this is not the response I had hoped for, but at least he hoped that has helped to clarify the Government's position on the matter.
So, here's the Government Line to Take...
Thank you for forwarding correspondence of 8 January from your constituent , Mean Mr Mustard
, about Peak Oil production.The Government fully recognises that there is uncertainty around the issue of future global oil production. Howver, on the balance of the available analysis and evidence, the Government?s assessment is that the world?s oil resources are sufficient to sustain economic growth for the foreseeable future.
As the International Energy Agency (IEA) notes in its 2005 publication, Resources to Reserves - Oil and Gas technologies for the Energy Markets of the Future, the key problem is not the limit of geolgocial oil resources: "The hydrocarbon resources around the world are sufficiently abundant to sustain likely growth in the global energy system for the foreseeable future." Rather, the challenge lies in bringing these resources to market in a way that ensures sustainable timely reliable and affodable supplies of energy.
In this context, the 2007 Energy White Paper (http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/whitepaper/page39534.html), noted (paragraph 1.18) a number of risks to oil security of supply and prices, including factors that could defer or restrict investment in energy production and hence lead to slower than expected growth in oil production. The Government recognises the possibility that such risk factors, coupled with the decline in many mature oil producing basins and capacity constraints in the supply chain that serves the oil industry, could limit the growth in conventional oil production in the short to medium term. However, the current high oil prices are already providing incentives for strong investment in alternative sources of transport fuels, such as non-conventional oil and biofuels, and driving energy efficiency improvements in the way the world consumes oil, eg, in transport vehicles. Government are also taking action - internationally and domestically - in support of this.
Internationally, the G8 Summit at Gleneagles in July 2005 agreed a comprehensive Plan of Action covering energy technologies, energy efficiency and R&D networks, among many other initiatives. The G8 and Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa also agreed the Gleneagles Dialogue on climate change, clean energy and sustainable development. This aims to provide a forum for continuing discussions among these countries and otheres with significant energy needs. Both the Gleneagles Plan of Action and Dialogue will continue up to the Japanese Presidency in 2008.
As set out in the 2007 Energy White Paper, HMG is putting in place policies that will help ease the UK economy away from power supplied primarily through fossil fuels, as well as bringing about reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. Our strategy is to work to liberalise international markets, create the right environment to attract investment in exploration and infrastructure and, through masures to improve energy efficiency, and our ongoing commitment to renewable and other low-carbon technologies, help reduce our dependency on oil supplies.
HMG has also launched the Low Carbon Transport Innovation Strategy, (http:/www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/scienceresearch/technology/) setting out a wide range of actions Government is taking to encourage innovation and technology development in lower carbon transport technologies
best wishes
Malcolm Wicks
I was thinking of replying to my MP, first thanking him for his reply, (also cc'ing John Hemming and Michael Meacher). I could highlight the existence of the APPGOPO, and, with help from you folks, maybe show some of the weaknesses in the Minister's (public) posiiton on Peak Oil.
