Piebalgs pushes green energy technology

BRUSSELS, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Using less energy and advancing clean and renewable energy technology go a long way to addressing the issue of global warming, the EU energy commissioner said.

World leaders are increasing their diplomatic efforts ahead of an international climate conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, that kicks off Monday.

Andris Piebalgs, the energy commissioner for the European Union, said addressing climate change is a complex challenge complicated by a need to power an advancing world without harming the environment.

"If energy is to continue its role of powering our economy, we have to rethink how we use energy and where we get it from," he writes on his Web site.

Piebalgs notes an effective strategy lies in using less energy and looking for more efficient and clean sources of the energy the world uses.

"The upcoming conference in Copenhagen to negotiate a follow-up to the Kyoto Protocol provides the perfect opportunity for a reflection on this as it will not be possible to combat climate change without taking energy into consideration," he adds.

The commissioner notes that technology plays a key role in the way the world tackles climate change, calling on delegates at Copenhagen to lead the way in promoting research and development.