Ávarp Guðlaugs Þórs Þórðarsonar umhverfis-, orku- og loftslagsráðherra á opnunarathöfn viðburðar Carbon Recycling International í Kína - Ávarpið er á ensku

Dear Ambassador and other distinguished guests,

It is my pleasure to be able to address this opening ceremony and congratulate the parties involved in realizing this important project. I am happy to see that a technology that was first developed and demonstrated in Iceland by CRI has now been proven at a large scale in China and is having a positive impact in one of the world’s largest economies. CRI’s ETL technology to convert waste gases and carbon emissions into methanol, a valuable chemical and fuel is unique and has a great positive environmental impact. The Shunli project in Anyang, Henan province of China is a great example of how successful collaboration between countries such as China, and Iceland can be when tackling today’s most urgent environmental problems.

During the past century Iceland went through an energy transition from burning oil and coal for heating our buildings and replacing them with local clean geothermal heating systems. This has been a great success, both for our environment and economy. It has also led to new opportunities, companies and industries that have formed and benefit from this energy transition. Icelandic companies are now exporting the knowledge that has been developed in Iceland to other countries, including China.

Carbon emissions are a global problem that requires our collective efforts and collaboration across nations to effectively solve. Such collaborations benefit from the different strengths, capabilities, and cultures of our countries and further strengthens our ties. By being the first country to implement this technology at a large scale, China is showing that it is taking a lead and active steps towards reducing emission. I am convinced that this project is only the first important step among many more to come that will help move our societies towards a more circular and sustainable economy.