Lars G Josefsson to advise German Chancellor on climate issues

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has today named Vattenfall Group CEO Lars G Josefsson as one of two advisors to her government on climate change issues.

In 2007, Germany is to chair both the G8 and EU, and it is in this context that Lars Josefsson is to act as a government advisor on international climate protection issues. His principal task in this role will be to try to persuade industry to become more actively involved in finding solutions to the problem of climate change and developing concepts whereby climate issues can be integrated into the market economy and help stimulate economic growth.

“We have to take climate issues seriously and focus more on initiatives aimed at developing proposals that enable us to bring the greenhouse effect under control. I am totally convinced that the involvement of industry is an absolutely essential part of the process of creating cost effective climate solutions in partnership with politicians and NGOs,” said Lars Josefsson in association with the announcement of his appointment in Berlin.

“Without determined action, we are not going to succeed in curbing climate change. Here we do act. Earlier this year Vattenfall presented a plan for a global trading system designed to effect the necessary cuts in CO2 emissions via market instruments. The next step is to develop a concrete plan of action setting out the technological and economic tools required if we are to be able to achieve this global target. Vattenfall is actively striving to obtain a broad consensus amongst industry worldwide on principles that could help contribute to a solution to the greenhouse effect.”

In May 2006, Lars Josefsson was invited by the United Nations to present his proposals at a plenary session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, UNCSD, in New York.

Vattenfall started work on the development of a CO2-free coal-fired power station several years ago and was the first company in the world to begin construction of a pilot plant based on the so-called oxyfuel technology in May this year. The plant is being built in Spremberg, in east Germany, and is set to go into production in 2008.

“We are honoured that Vattenfall’s efforts to combat climate change are appreciated,” said Vattenfall Executive Chairman Dag Klackenberg. “In joint efforts with other companies we will drive the development of new technology forward, to secure a reduction of CO2 emissions.”

Along with Lars Josefsson, Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, will also act as German government advisor on these issues.

For Lars G Josefsson’s statement, please see www.vattenfall.com

For further information, please contact:

Dag Klackenberg, Executive Chairman Vattenfall AB, tel +46 8 762 77 79
Erik von Hofsten, Head of Media Relations Vattenfall Nordic, tel +46 8 739 54 84.


Released by the Vattenfall Press Department, tel +46 8 739 50 10.