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UK and Florida tackling the climate change challenge

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE News Release issued by The Government News Network on 15 July 2008

The challenge of climate change is one of the key issues being addressed during the visit to the UK of the Governor of Florida, Charlie Crist. Today, in London, the Governor and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister, Dr Kim Howells, witnessed the signing of a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) aimed at developing clean technologies to help tackle this global problem.

Dr Howells said of the collaborative efforts,

"These memoranda are a concrete demonstration of the deepening relationship between the UK and Florida. Governor Crist's work to set tough emission targets has helped make Florida one of the world's leaders in tackling climate change. A target of reducing emissions to 80% of 1990 levels by 2050 demonstrates the Governor's determination to put Florida at the forefront of worldwide action."

Welcoming this establishment of closer links, Governor Crist said,

"Florida's research universities are the heart of our technology innovation, and I applaud the international partnerships established here today. Talented scientists are developing high quality research that results in real-world applications, and collaboration can advance the work being done in Florida and around the world."

Note to editors:

Three MoUs were signed to develop such areas as collaborative research and cooperation on the use of facilities and equipment. The MoUs were between Heriot-Watt University and the Florida Atlantic University; the New and Renewable Energy Centre, in Blyth, Northumberland, and the Florida Atlantic University; and the College of Natural Sciences - Bangor University and the Florida-Gulf Coast University.

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