Emissions storage is essential part of climate change deal

Developing technology to capture and store emissions from coal power stations is an essential part of a new global deal on climate change, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

US Energy Secretary Steven Chu and China's Science and Technology Minister Dr Wan Gan are among those at the meeting in London today to address the financial and technical challenges of carbon capture and storage.

It is the first time ministers from developing countries such as coal giant China have attended a meeting of the international forum which aims to develop the technology which supporters say will play a major role in cutting the world's carbon emissions. Mr Miliband, who is co-hosting the meeting with Norway's Petroleum and Energy Minister Terje Riis-Johansen, said bringing developed and developing countries together showed the world was committed to cooperating to cut emissions from coal - which is set to remain a major fuel for electricity in the future. "The gathering in London shows that the world's biggest coal using nations recognise we cannot continue with business as usual on coal.

"We are united in the view that carbon capture and storage must be developed rapidly so we can make the switch to clean coal."

And he said: "Making carbon capture and storage happen internationally is an essential part of a successful Copenhagen agreement."

The meeting is one of a number of events in the lead up to the UN climate talks in the Danish capital in December, where it is hoped a new deal will be agreed to slash emissions in order to avert dangerous climate change.

Officials said ways of financing carbon capture and storage would be a central part of a deal in Copenhagen, with analysis showing much more CCS would be needed in coal-using countries before the end of the next decade.