Only the development of new technologies can reduce the emission of carbon dioxide, he added.
Total investments in environmental protection in Croatia in the next 10 to 12 years are estimated at EUR 10 billion, which will certainly contribute to economic development, he said.
"I believe that we will succeed in using the current ecological and economic crisis as an incentive for development," Ruzinski said, adding that spending on environmental protection should be treated as an investment and not as a cost.
The regional conference, which brought together representatives from Croatia and neighbouring countries, was organised by Infoarena Grupa.