Greening our economy

Taking climate change seriously with an environmentally integrated society.
The environment and climate change are obviously defining challenges. Both must be central to all policies. For climate change, the Union must find the resources to follow through the commitments entered into and provide appropriate assistance to developing economies.
Furthermore, a consideration must be given to the question of carbon tax, whether at a world or Union level, whilst replacing an equivalent national tax. But the way to create both jobs and wealth is to invest in new technologies providing us with the energy resources of the future. It is through new ways for creating sustainable and non polluting energy that the Union can lead in the world. It is also through creativity by imagining modes of behaviour that will also lead to reductions in emissions. This should include energy efficiency in buildings and transport solutions but also innovative ideas such as intelligent energy grids. And we should not forget more traditional measures such as the reduction in emissions from both transport vehicles and maritime vessels.
All of these areas are growth areas and job creating. As all parts of the world are faced with this problem, the lead we obtain today will pay off in the years to come.