Following the recommendation of our Honorary President, Lord Haskell, Materials UK has become a member of the Parliamentary & Scientific Committee .

The Parliamentary & Scientific Committee is a primary focus for scientific and technological issues providing a long-term liaison between Parliamentarians and scientific bodies, science-based industry and the academic world. The main aim is to focus on those issues where science and politics meet, informing Members of both Houses of Parliament by indicating the relevance of scientific and technological developments to matters of public interest and to the development of policy.

The first meeting following our membership, took place this week to coincide with National Science and Engineering week. The topic was ‘Innovative Scientific & Engineering Solutions for the Management of Climate Change’. A topical subject, close to most of us, and particularly relevant to the Energy Materials Working Group. Hence, my attendance on behalf of Materials UK

It was held in the impressive surroundings of the Grand Committee Room of Westminster Hall, in the House of Commons and attended by around 80 people, a mixture of scientists, engineers, MP’s and Lords. It was chaired by Malcolm Wickes, Head of the Office of Science and Innovation and former Energy Minister.

The excellent presentations, given almost exclusively by senior executives, covered most of the ‘usual suspects’, from carbon dioxide capture and storage through to fossil, nuclear, and renewable (wind, tidal & bio) energy generation. Each speaker presented a laudable case for their ‘own’ technology. The truth is that the UK is going to need a balanced portfolio of all of the above if it is to meet its goals of reduced carbon dioxide emissions and security of supply. On this, everyone seemed to agree. What was also clear is that there are many regulatory, public perception and policy barriers that have to be overcome for many of these technologies to become established.

It was highlighted by most of the speakers how important the role that technology development, including materials (resources, cost and development) will play in all of this. To an extent, the UK Government are supportive of this through their £50m commitment to the Energy Technology Institute, but they will also need to seriously consider supporting full-scale demonstrators (either financially or by regulatory means) of some of these ‘new’ technologies for it to become attractive for utilities and investors. Steve Koonin, the Chief Scientist of BP, also announced the recent launch of their multi-million dollar Bioscience Institute in the USA dealing specifically with novel bio-methods of fuel production and carbon dioxide reduction. So, the indications continue to grow that the major players are taking Climate Change seriously (despite this weeks Channel 4 programme!)

As an event, it was very informative. From the Materials UK perspective, in terms of what the materials challenges are for Energy, it’s reassuring to know we’re covering the key issues that were raised at the meeting. In terms of the marketing of Materials UK and gaining influence, this sort of forum can only be beneficial, or even essential. Much of the value of this Committee will undoubtedly come from the networking that goes on outside the meeting. There are many influential individuals, organisations and learned societies who attend. I made some excellent contacts who were keen to hear more about Materials UK, relating both to Energy and its more ‘global’ remit within the UK materials community.

Undoubtedly our honorary president has made an excellent recommendation by suggesting we join this Committee.

Derek