Prince Charles backs EU low-carbon strategy to fight climate change
Originally published by East Midlands Liberal Democrats
Bill Newton Dunn, Euro-MP for the East Midlands, welcomed the royal engagement
Prince Charles today addressed a high level summit, held at the European Parliament to discuss how the EU's pursuit of a green, low carbon, economy can lead to sustainable growth and prosperity, whilst at the same time securing our environment for future generations.
Local Lib Dem MEP Bill Newton Dunn, a member of the European Parliament's Environment and Development Committees, attended the "Low Carbon Prosperity Summit", and found the Prince's engagement with the EU's plans very encouraging.
Speaking after the summit, Newton Dunn said:
"It is clear that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today. At the same time, in the EU and beyond we are struggling to recover from a severe economic and financial crisis, leaving our resources strained and putting pressure on businesses and individuals to save costs.
"It is absolutely vital, then, that prominent public figures like Prince Charles are speaking out about the potential growth and economic and social opportunities offered by the pursuit of a low carbon economy. I was very pleased to hear the Prince's reminder that energy efficiency, minimising carbon usage, and building environmentally friendly surroundings will not hold Europe back compared to the rest of the world. Rather, these things will make Europe much more competitive, since we will use our resources much more efficiently and take a lead in terms of innovation and sustainability,
"By gathering EU policy makers, business leaders, NGOs, and academics, the President of the European Parliament and the Prince of Wales today brought together the whole spectrum of actors who must combine forces to make dynamic policy and effectively put it into action.
"I was especially glad that the Prince struck out at the 'corrosive' climate change sceptics who deny the vast body of scientific evidence. As he made clear - it is for the sake of our future generations that we must work to preserve our planet now. The Prince was entirely right to ask those deniers how they will hope to explain to their grandchildren that they failed them - choosing the easy route of inaction over a brighter future.