Copenhagen - The public sector alone cannot tackle climate change, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso warned Monday at a climate conference in Copenhagen.

"In tackling climate change, public sector action will not be enough," Barroso said in his remarks to around 1,000 business leaders, adding that "all parties, policy makers, business and consumers" need to combine.

Copenhagen in December will host the United Nations' key climate talks where countries are to seek to make proposals on the reduction of CO2 emissions.

"It will be difficult," Barroso said of the upcoming December talks, adding "these talks are too important to fail."

"The economic crisis is an impetus for change, not an excuse for inaction," Barroso said in response to those who question undertaking major changes and cuts in emissions over the ongoing economic crisis.

"The costs of climate change will be much higher if we do not make adjustments now," he added.

The EU Commission head noted that renewable energy also offers new job and business opportunities, saying "European industry has no time to lose in the search for innovative responses."

Many business were asking for "coherent, stable, efficient policy framework to guide investment issues," he said.

Barroso also welcomed the "positive engagement" of the United States in the global discussion on climate change, describing the run-up to the

The three-day World Business Summit on Climate Change opened Sunday.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday criticized the lack of engagement by businesses in the fight against the threat of climate change.

Also taking part in the conference were former US vice president Al Gore and the head of the UN Climate Council Rajendra Pachauri.(dpa)