According to the Austrian Environment Minister Josef Pröll new environmental technologies, such as technologies aimed at reducing and controlling air pollution, managing energy and technologies reducing dependence on fossil fuels, can make a major contribution to improving the urban environment.

The EU sees huge potential in environmental technologies. In its thematic strategy on the urban environment the European Commission asserts that by investing in environmental technologies the environment can be improved, whilst creating jobs and stimulating economic development. “Innovative environmental technologies can make a major contribution to all these goals - they may generate 3.5 million jobs at the EU - and improve quality of life in European cities.”

Because of these potential benefits, the discussion of the European action plan for environmental technology will continue. The European Commission intends to present a new report on this topic in June.