Washington • Sen. Mitt Romney has joined the new Senate Climate Change Caucus, saying that it will take “significant private sector investments” and innovation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and switch to more green energy.

The bipartisan group, formed in late October, plans to focus on finding solutions that would attack climate change in a way that is “durable, equitable and supportive of the American economy,” according to the caucus. The caucus held its first meeting this week with industry executives.

“Addressing climate change is going to require significant private sector investments and a major global breakthrough in innovation and technology,” Romney, R-Utah, said in a statement. “To that end, Congress should explore ways to incentivize the research, development, and deployment of clean technologies. This caucus will serve as a starting point for a productive bipartisan dialogue so we can begin to come up with solutions for addressing climate change.”

Romney is now one of eight members of the group that includes Democratic Sens. Chris Coons of Delaware and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Republican Sens. Mike Braun in Indiana, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and independent Sen. Angus King of Maine.