Change is a business opportunity, says Potocnik
'Change for a better environment is and should be a major business opportunity for the future,' said EU Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik at the presentation of a novel solar-powered car in Brussels. The Commissioner insisted that the fight against climate change was not contradictory to business making profits. While the new environmental targets set by the EU for reducing greenhouse gas emissions could be seen as an obstacle to making profit, eco-innovation and green products also offer new business opportunities for companies, he suggested. 'So it [change] is not against business needs or against profits. On the contrary, the one who understands that fact first will be the winner of business in the future,' said Mr Potocnik. Mr Potocnik was backed by European Commission Vice President Margot Wallström, who agreed that climate change was now a reality and a global issue that requires a global response, including from science and research and the private sector. 'As change in historical times like these is inevitable to face the huge problems ahead of us, we will need the help of engineers and innovators to help us meet the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020,' she said. Pointing to the solar-powered car on display, built by the University of Leuven in Belgium in cooperation with industrial partner the Umicore Group, Ms Wallström explained how this type of partnership is key to facing the challenges of both sustainable transport and climate change. 'With the help of innovations like these, using solar technology and energy, we will soon be able to find these kinds of cars available on the marketplace for you and I to buy,' said the Commissioner. 'We have the resources, the knowledge and the technology to fight climate change and we will do it!' she added. The solar-powered car will take part in the Australian World Solar Challenge from 21 to 28 October.