10 Jun 2010 03:06:06

Oil supplies 'could be challenged by 2015'

Sir David King has issued criticism about the future of the oil industry and the attitude of the government towards fossil fuels.

Speaking before a press conference on low carbon transport, Sir David said that people must face up to the challenges presented by dwindling oil supplies.

He gave the opinion that governments have their "head in the sand" about the issues which may arise in the coming years from low oil supplies, stating that they were simply being told what they wanted to hear.

"As early as 2015, oil production capacity is going to begin to be challenged in terms of meeting rising demand, particularly from continuing growth of the economies of China and India," Sir David said.

Creating a low carbon transport system was said to be one of the greatest challenges being faced, with Sir David stating that the government must use regulation and financial incentives to help meet its targets.

Sir David was the government's chief scientific officer between 2000 and 2007, before he became the first director of the Smith School at Oxford University in 2008.