Brussels, 10/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Tuesday 9 December, Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen, representing the European Commission, and Hélène Pelosse, Deputy Head of the private office of French Ecology Minister Jean-Louis Borloo took part in the first Round Table on the 3rd Industrial Revolution, a meeting chaired by US economist, Jeremy Rifkin. Made up of the chief executives of major European and US companies and representatives of entrepreneurs and consumers associations, the round table sought to promote the idea of a 3rd industrial revolution in Europe and across the world. At this first meeting, those taking part discussed ways - regulation, tax benefits and R&D spending - of helping the EU promote the 3rd industrial revolution. Building on the development of renewable energy, improvements in energy efficiency (in particular in buildings), using hydrogen technology in transport and energy storage and new information and communication technologies (to boost the development of intelligent energy networks to which electric and fuel cell cars will be linked), the 3rd industrial revolution will allow humanity to meet the challenges of the world financial crisis, energy security and global warming in this twilight of the oil age, Rifkin told press. On behalf of the French Presidency, Pelosse noted that the climate change/energy package, which will, through legislative texts, give the EU the means to achieve three key objectives by 2020 - a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions, renewable energy forming 20% of the energy mix and a 20% improvement in energy efficiency - is “the way to bring about the 3rd industrial revolution to see the European economy move towards a greener growth model”. Verheugen stressed the need for large-scale cooperation between stakeholders to promote this 3rd industrial revolution so dear to Rifkin's heart. (E.H./transl.rt)