Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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From tackling climate change to economic recovery: Europe’s space leaders meet in London
Space experts and politicians from across Europe gather in London this week to discuss how space technology can help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.
From 25 to 26 October, the tenth annual European Inter-parliamentary Space Conference (EISC) will examine the benefits and future potential of space technology – from managing climate change to boosting the economy.
The conference will see leaders from across the sector set out space policy and debate its capability for innovation. Delegates will discuss how space can be used to bring tangible benefits to everyone in Europe and help tackle major challenges facing the world. The event aims to act as a forum for European co-operation on space policy and to foster a continued dialogue between national parliaments.
Business Minister, Pat McFadden will speak at the event in Lancaster House on Monday evening. Before the conference he said:
“It’s fitting for the UK to host the European Inter-parliamentary Space Conference this year. Space contributes some £6.5bn a year and this figure is forecast to grow by around five per cent every year until 2020.
“Our priorities in this area are closely linked with the rest of Europe and we have a very strong track record of fruitful co-operation, which looks set to continue.”
Chairman of the EISC and co-chairman of the PSC Ian Taylor MP said he was delighted the UK was hosting the event:
“The EISC plays a vital role. This is our platform to debate amongst Parliamentarians from the leading nations in Europe what direction we want Europe to take in Space.”
The conference is sponsored by the British National Space Centre and hosted by the UK Parliamentary Space Committee (PSC).
Notes to Editors
1. The European Inter-parliamentary Space Conference (EISC) was established in 1999 as a permanent forum for co-operation between the European national parliaments. Its main aims are to develop a continuing dialogue on space policy and to support the national governments and European institutions in their efforts to achieve a common European space policy for the maximum benefit of Europe’s citizens. The UK last hosted the EISC in 2002. For more information visit http://www.eisc-europa.eu/
2. Space provides economic and public benefits, supports science, technology, education and skills and will play an important role in building Britain’s future. A recent study by Oxford Economic Forum calculated that the UK space industry contributes some £6.5bn a year to the UK economy.
3. European programmes account for around 70 per cent of the UK’s civil spend on space. At last year’s European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial meeting the UK committed €924m to ESA programmes over the next two years.
4. The new ESA facility in Harwell strengthened those ties in July. ESA’s first ever UK-based facility will include an International Space Innovation Centre and will initially focus on climate change, exploration and robotic technology.
5. Other European programmes include the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security initiative (GMES), which uses satellite data to help policy-makers and scientists better manage the environment; understand and mitigate the effects of climate change and safeguard national security. The UK is also involved in Galileo – Europe’s global satellite navigation system. When fully operational, Galileo will provide a guaranteed global positioning service accurate to less than a metre.
6. BNSC is a cross-Government organisation that co-ordinates UK civil space activities and brings together representatives from Government, science, industry and education to promote advances in space technology and science. BNSC also supports efforts to use space within the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to inspire young people.
7. BNSC is a partnership of 6 Government Departments, 2 Research Councils, the Technology Strategy Board and the Met Office. The partner organisations are: BIS, STFC, NERC, TSB, MOD, Met Office, Defra, DfT, DCSF and FCO
Media contacts:
· Una Flynn, BIS Tel: 020 7215 5256; Out of hours press officer: 020 7215 3505
· Clair Passelle, Head of Communications, British National Space Centre (BNSC) Tel: 01793 418072 Mobile: +44 (0)7500 918995
· Clare Mattok, Communications Manager, ESA HQ Tel: 00 33 1 53 69 74 12 Mobile: 00 33 6 75 69 58 63
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Una Flynn
Phone: 020 7215 5256
Una.Flynn@bis.gsi.gov.uk
