FPC & Business for New Europe

Finsbury Group, Tenter House, London

High oil prices, Europe's increasing dependency on a few external suppliers (mainly OPEC and Russia), new concerns relating to long-term availability of fossil fuels and the urgency of new greenhouse gas mitigation measures have restarted a debate on the need for a European Energy Policy.

The European Commission on 8 March 2006 issued a 'Green Paper' listing a number of options to achieve "sustainable, competitive and secure" energy supplies in the EU.

Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister for Energy, was the keynote speaker. Also speaking were Nick Mabey, founder member of E3G and a former member of the Prime Minister's strategy team, and Roger Carr (Chairman of Centrica plc). The event was chaired by Roland Rudd, Chairman of Business for New Europe (and Senior Partner at Finsbury International).