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