Raymond Flanagan: Our low-carbon future starts now

Scotland is preparing to exploit a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We have Europe's most diverse and vibrant energy sector, from the mature North Sea oil and gas fields to world-leading research in offshore wind, marine energy, and clean coal and fuel-cell technologies.

Some of our future's biggest economic opportunities lie in developing a globally competitive industry based on our renewable and low carbon energy resources.

More than 25 per cent of all Europe's wind resources cross Scotland and its surrounding areas. The scale and nature of the offshore wind opportunity is significant, with the UK boasting the capacity to generate more than 48GW of offshore wind energy by 2020, making it the No 1 market worldwide for offshore wind power.

These strengths, coupled with Scottish Government targets which will see 50 per cent of our electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020, puts Scotland in pole position to become an important global hub.

The Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference, at the EICC tomorrow and Wednesday, may hold the key to unlocking this potential, just as the "Oil and Scotland's Future" event did for North Sea oil and gas in 1972.

We are now entering a critical phase – the need to mobilise industry, capitalise on transition opportunities from oil and gas and ignite new industries on the basis of environmental priorities and economic ambitions.

The volume and calibre of organisations and individuals involved in this conference demonstrates that Scotland is ready to turn ambitions into real economic and environmental benefits.

Our recruitment of Thought Leaders, many of whom will lead the discussion sessions, forms a powerful part of our approach. It is the leveraging of this essential private-sector expertise and enthusiasm in collaboration with government which will deliver the necessary mechanisms, partnerships and deals. This conference is a turning point.

• Dr Raymond Flanagan is Scottish low carbon investment project manager with Scottish Enterprise. www.slciconference.com