The city of Edinburgh will host a major conference that will harness financial innovation to fund the creation of major green infrastructure projects and support global climate change goals.

First Minister Alex Salmond has announced the international conference - to be held in the autumn - that will bring together the financial services and energy industries to develop innovative financing solutions for energy efficiency, heat, transport and low carbon electricity and infrastructure projects.

At Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce's Annual Dinner this evening, the First Minister will outline how the conference will showcase Scotland's low carbon investment opportunities and lay the foundations for Scotland to become the world's leading destination for investment in low carbon projects.

The First Minister will explain how harnessing the investment opportunities of developing economies both within and outside Scotland can support major green infrastructure projects, such as those required for Scotland's enormous renewables capacity, and create real and not virtual wealth while supporting green energy goals.


The conference will capitalise on Scotland's enormous low carbon and green energy potential by showcasing projects in the public and private sector to international investors, while focusing on developing innovative funding solutions to deliver them. With a coming market place of up to £100,000 million in off-shore wind generation alone, this is the moment to consider how we can best finance these opportunities.

The conference will be organised by the Scottish Low Carbon Investment Project (SLIP) - a new joint initiative between the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Arup - which will run over 6 months from March. SLIP is closely supported by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and other organisations to engage across the Scottish business and low carbon sectors, and to develop links with the wider international investment community in the run up to the conference.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Financial innovation can play a key role in delivering a low carbon future for Scotland through investing in major green infrastructure projects that both create jobs and help us secure global climate change goals.

"This event will aim to harness investment opportunities to encourage sustainable economic growth through infrastructure creation, not asset inflation. This Government recognises the emergence of new economies into the world economy, such as China, and the great opportunities this offers in terms of working together to support economic growth while safeguarding our planet."

(GK/BMcC)