Hans-Gert Pöttering, a politician from the German CDU, is the President of the European Parliament

‘We can’t go on being dependent on imports’

‘I think Jeremy Rifkin's vision is compelling as it combines new technologies in several fields which also offer the answer to many of our future challenges. The vision comprises transport, building and power generation which is why it truly represents an industrial revolution. It is important to focus on all levels at the same time in order to face challenges as climate change and security of energy supply.’

‘Today we are faced with several major global challenges which are characterized by the fact that no one single nation can solve any of these crisis alone. No one single state or superpower can manage this situation, like for instance climate change or the financial crisis. In the European Union and particularly in the European Parliament we're used to dealing with complex problems and we have developed a political system which offers many different countries a platform and a voice. Even if it's not always easy we succeed in bringing forward very advanced solutions and we carry them out. This is why I agree with Rifkin's scenario and I think the European Parliament serves as a good example of how we can approach these challenges together on a global scale.’

‘Climate change is a major threat to our lives, our health, our economy, our civilisation as such. We can't go on being dependent on foreign and especially Russian gas import and we know that one day we will run out of fossil fuels. We need to start now to find alternative ways of maintaining our living standards and even improving them.’

‘In times of global financial instability there will invariably be cutbacks made by governments but this should not be to the detriment of the climate change policy. We must not use this crisis as an excuse to give up on our climate change goals. Let’s face it: The targets of the European climate package will not be implemented tomorrow. Our targets of cutting 20% of our C02 emissions are by 2020, which is more than a decade from now. Linking the financial crisis with our long-term ambitions to curb emissions seems out of place! Moreover, let’s not forget that the rising oil prices give us a valid economic argument for switching to more sustainable energy sources. Every major crisis can also lead to a significant breakthrough for cutting edge technologies and in this case, more climate change friendly policies.’

‘The European Parliament has played a paramount role in pushing forward policies on climate change. The Parliament has kept a strict timetable in order to allow for an adoption of the package by the end of the year. Parliament is assuming its responsibility as the institution where broad political agreements across all 27 member states are being fostered and brokered. I hope the European Parliament will be key in reaching the final agreement as it was the case with other major pieces of legislation such as REACH and the services directive.’

‘I had the pleasure of meeting Jeremy Rifkin on several occasions: I appreciate his optimistic and holistic approach and I quote him in my speeches. I also had the privilege of meeting Sir Nicholas Stern who’s economy based approach really inspired me. Moreover, Professor Rajendra Pachauri, President of the IPCC and Nobel Prize winner, is a remarkable person with whom I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting.’

‘My message to the delegates at Poznan is: I wish all of you a successful and fruitful conference and I hope this conference will be a crucial step on the road to the Copenhagen conference in 2009 where we all face a unique window of opportunity for reaching a global agreement with binding targets for cutting C02 and fighting global climate change.’

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