By Louise Tait - 26th June 2009
Economic and environmental challenges must be tackled together
José Manuel Barroso
Commission president José Manuel Barroso has called for the EU to take coordinated action on environmental and economic challenges.
Speaking at the closing session of this year's Green Week conference on Friday, Barroso dismissed suggestions that green policies are only feasible in a strong economy.
He said, "We should not be surprised that some people have suggested putting the fight against climate change on the back-burner, until the economy recovers.
"But 'action on the economy or action against climate change' is a false dichotomy.
"These economic and environmental challenges must be tackled together.
"Indeed, they are part and parcel of a strategy of smart, sustainable, low carbon growth. Low carbon growth must be the hallmark of the post-crisis economy."
Barroso argued that the economic case for tackling climate change is as compelling as the scientific case, claiming that the cost of environment action is often "dwarfed" by inaction.
"We know… that the costs of climate change will be far higher if we don't take action now - up to 20 per cent of GDP annually in the long run," he said.
"By contrast, we think we can limit the cost of our package to around half of one percent of GDP."
Rather than using the economic crisis as an excuse for a less robust approach to tackling climate change, Barroso said the benefits of going green should not be underestimated.
"The financial crisis has, in short, given us the chance to accelerate the move towards a low carbon society. As long as we have the courage to seize that chance.
"Smart investment in infrastructure, energy efficiency, and clean car technology will all support vulnerable industries in intelligent ways: by preparing them to thrive in the markets of the future, instead of artificially propping them up for markets that are fading into the past."
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