An expert on zero carbon issues is to give talks on how the island can wean itself off fossil fuels.

Paul Allen of the Zero Carbon Britain project (ZCB), which is campaigning to reduce fossil fuel use in the UK, will be giving a presentation to the public and later to members of Tynwald next week.

He will discuss how to turn the idea of a ’zero carbon Isle of Man’ into a reality.

Alice Quayle of the Isle of Man Climate Change Coalition said: ’We’re very pleased that Paul has accepted our invitation to speak.

’He is interested in what can be done here, as we have a fairly small population and manageable size, big potential offshore renewable energy, we make our own laws, and own most of our own infrastructure.

’This means we have much more freedom to act quickly than most places of a similar size.’

Mr Allen has worked in renewable energy for 30 years, developing a many systems including solar medical systems for use overseas.

Since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report on climate change was released two years ago, ZCB has been working with local and regional governments to help draw up climate action plans.

Mr Allen has also attended energy conferences and giving talks at the Welsh Assembly, UK Parliament, and UN climate conferences.

The ZCB project has been working since 2007 to cut out fossil fuel using existing technologies.

It works to ’deliver a modern lifestyle create employment, help reduce poverty, improve our wellbeing, and ensure that the future we leave for our children and generations to come is safe and sustainable’.

Mr Allen will be speaking on Wednesday, October 9, from 7.30pm at Loch Promenade Church, Douglas. Admission is free or by donation.

Mr Allen will also be making a presentation to members of Tynwald at the invitation of Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot and will be a guest of an event for sixth formers.