The need to shift economies onto a lower carbon route and to acknowledge the direct links between the resilience of ecosystems and that of national economies were highlighted by the Prince of Wales at the opening of Parliament's Low Carbon Prosperity Summit held on 9 February. In his speech, the Prince of Wales stressed the need to move away from conventional economic models based on the production of high carbon intensity products, in line with the overall objective of the Summit which was to find a way for a new low-carbon economy in Europe.

In his address, the Prince of Wales highlighted that tackling climate change and maintaining economic viability, would require valuing and supporting local communities, adopting policies that focus funding on strengthening diversity and promoting effective public/private partnerships. Known for his active engagement in environmental issues, he stressed the need to achieve a green economy which would rely on sustainable asset management, more productive processing of waste, the construction of new, zero-carbon buildings and the retro-fitting of existing stock and also upon achieving stringent energy efficiency targets for our buildings, cars and household goods.

As the Prince of Wales did, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek, Commission President José Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy also called for low-carbon technologies to build prosperity. President Jerzy Buzek said that the EU 2020 Strategy will be the instrument for the European Union to create a green, low-carbon economy by investing in innovation and new technologies. President Buzek also highlighted the importance of events such as this Summit and pointed out that The European Energy Community, which was proposed in the European Parliament on the 5 May last year, will not only reduce the cost but also the use of electricity and gas.

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso underlined that turning to a more efficient use of resources will be the only way to protect the planet and ensure security of supply and economic growth. President Barroso recalled Commission's strong commitment to support low carbon technologies, highlighting that although an important progress has already been made, a new set of targets will be endorsed for 2050.

The President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, stressed the need to invest in energy savings, smart grids and smart meters. Summing up some of the conclusions of the European Council of 4 February which was especially focused on energy, President Van Rompuy also stressed the need to combine national and EU action in order to achieve synergies and economies of scale. Energy savings as well as the need to achieve a truly interconnected and integrated internal energy market are part of EU challenges in achieving what he called a “revolution in energy systems”.