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EUROPE’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
GEN
ERA
L IN
FOR
MAT
ION
EUR 22003
Interested in European research?
RTD info is our quarterly magazine keeping you in touch with main developments (results, programmes, events, etc.). It is available in English, French and German. A free sample copy or free subscription can be obtained from:
European Commission Directorate-General for ResearchInformation and Communication UnitB-1049 BrusselsFax: +32 2 295 8220E-mail: [email protected]: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/rtdinfo/index_en.html
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T H E P A T H T O W A R D S S U S T A I N A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T I S K N O W L E D G E - B A S E D
F O R E W O R D
2000. Both directly and indirectly, such policies contribute to improving the knowledge
base and addressing the headline objectives of the Sustainable Development Strategy.
EU R&D makes a strong contribution to the external dimension of the Sustainable
Development Strategy by enabling organisations from around the world to participate
in Research Framework Programme activities. On 16 February 2006, UN-HABITAT
and DG RTD signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will enhance coordination
of their respective urban research programmes, with expected significant impacts on
the achievement of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy objectives.
As a prime mover in the quest for global sustainable development, Europe is proud to
contribute to more forward-thinking policy formulation and implementation. The Union
today is an undisputed world leader in responsible research and innovation, and we
will continue to break new ground, moving our society and citizens forward while
protecting the natural world and its resources, for a better world and a better tomorrow.
José Manuel Silva Rodríguez
DIRECTOR-GENERAL FOR RESEARCH AT THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
The fundamental goal of the Union’s Sustainable Development Strategy is to make sure
Europe meets the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly expanding global economy
while still safeguarding its social, cultural and environmental fabric. Beyond any doubt,
research is an essential tool in the development, testing and implementation of public
policies aimed at EU sustainability.
The 2005 revitalised Lisbon Strategy focuses on actions that promote growth and jobs in a
manner that is fully consistent with sustainable development, an overarching goal for the
EU. This implies a strong environmental component and a recognition of the key role that
eco-innovation could play in the globalised knowledge-based society.
The EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the main instrument for financing EU
research from 2007-2013, makes explicit reference to the Lisbon process, demonstrating the
commitment of the Commission’s Research Directorate-General (DG RTD) to the objectives
of knowledge-based sustainable development. Among others, the FP7 theme on
‘Environment’ will continue to support the design, development and implementation of
tools, methods and technologies to move towards enhanced sustainability.
DG RTD also supports the Sustainable Development Strategy in the science policy domain
through its own policymaking and implementation process. A large number of research policies
aimed at increasing the impact of the European research system have been launched since
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
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I N T R O D U C T I O N
W H A T I S T H E S U S T A I N A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T S T R A T E G Y ( S D S ) ?
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
EU SDS I and II – scope and approach
European Heads of State adopted the landmark EU SDS in June 2001, taking on one
of the most crucial issues facing global society today. A major milestone for people
around the world, the Strategy was completed by a Communication in August 2002.
The original SDS addressed six areas where experts believe current trends must
be reversed for the sake of future generations:
1. Climate change and energy use;
2. Public health;
3. Poverty and social exclusion;
4. Ageing societies;
5. Management of natural resources (including biodiversity);
6. Land use and transport.
Towards SDS IIFollowing a comprehensive review by the European Commission, a new
Communication on the SDS was adopted in December 2005. The proposed SDS
II reaffirms proposals for:
> A set of recommendations to improve the effectiveness of policy. For example,
all policies must have sustainable development as a core concern, the
Community should fully exploit the potential of the Research Framework
Programme working with industry to identify the major obstacles in sectors
such as energy, transport and communications.
> A set of specific measures to tackle the six headline objectives. This means
action at EU and Member State levels, especially with respect to research and
innovation programmes and policies.
> Steps to implement the strategy and review its progress. For example, the
Commission shall propose performance indicators and report progress to each
Spring European Council. Independent experts will offer views and report to
the Commission President and the SDS will be reviewed at the start of each
Commission’s term of office.
SDS II also highlights a number of new key issues:> The need for a platform for action for business leaders, regional and local authorities,
NGOs, academia and citizens’ organisations;
> Taking speedy action on climate change and energy efficiency;
> Linking EU polices and sustainability in third countries.
The 2005 SDS II is now set to be adopted by the European Council in June 2006.
Role of R&D and innovationThere can be no doubt that innovative research and technological development are a
primary means of moving forward on Sustainable Development. As such, the role of R&D in
supporting the SDS has been reinforced under SDS II.
The Sixth and Seventh Framework Programmes make explicit reference to the Göteborg
European Council decision and the Lisbon process. SDS contributions come from many of
the thematic priorities of the Framework Programme.
EU R&D financing has enabled progress across all SDS headline objectives. In the area of
public health, to cite just one example, Union funding has allowed major strides in
HIV/AIDS research, developing new treatments, both therapeutic and preventative, and
moving towards a potential AIDS vaccine. This and other work on poverty-related diseases
has a direct impact on millions of people in Europe and in developing countries.
Co-operation is keyThe Commission has made co-operative international research a major priority, both within and
beyond EU borders. This is especially crucial in the area of Sustainable Development, where
maximum collaboration on the parts of all nations is needed. The recent co-operation agreement
between UN-HABITAT and DG RTD will be instrumental in urban management and planning and a
key contributor to the SDS objectives.
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C L I M A T E C H A N G E
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTUREInitiatives such as the Kyoto Protocol have sought to fight climate change by reducing
global greenhouse gas emissions, but studies indicate that, even if targets are met,
current trends are likely to continue for another 50 years, due to the activity times of
greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere.
EU research addresses both understanding of and adaptation to the climate change
phenomena, and the development of new technologies, processes, products and
services that are more energy efficient and less emission intensive.
Understanding and adapting to climate change and its impacts
This research, which started as early as the First Framework Programme (1981), has
contributed to the more accurate definition and description of climate change, its
progress and its potential impacts on ecosystems, societies and economies. Work has
supported early warning, prevention and mitigation of these impacts and has enabled
EU policy makers to assess the cost of inaction.
Earth observation is crucial for better understanding, modelling and prediction of
climate change. As such, the European Commission supports the Global Earth
Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and Global Monitoring for Environment and
Security (GMES) initiatives, as detailed on the page 20 of this document.
Least cost policy options and reliable policy scenarios have been identified using the
POLES model. This world simulation model for energy production and other greenhouse
gas sources, developed under EU research programmes, has been instrumental in the
drafting of important EU reference documents, including the report on ‘World energy,
technology and climate policy outlook up to 2030’ and in the evaluation of EU post-
Kyoto climate change targets. Other models such as GEM-E3 and NEMESIS have been
developed and used to evaluate the macroeconomic and sectoral costs of climate
change strategies.
European research has demonstrated the potential power of emissions trading, aimed at
allowing the business sector to meet SDS goals at lower cost and with a higher overall
efficiency. Here, EU R&D has funded state-of-the-art and world-renowned analytical
know-how, contributing to the Commission’s work on the European Climate Change
Programme (ECCP) and the Emissions Trading Directive.
New technologies, processes, products and services
Clean technologies and innovative practices are indispensable elements over both long
and medium terms. EU-funded research in this area includes the obvious sectors such
as energy and transport but also other fields such as sustainable production and
consumption, new materials, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and water and soil
treatment, where improvements can lead to resource savings and reduced emissions.
Research in these areas has always been an important part of successive Framework
Programmes. Under FP6, an estimated €3 billion, or 17 % of the total budget, was
invested here.
The Earth’s climate has changed continuously since its formation more than 4.5 billion
years ago, but the rate of climate change increased dramatically during the 20th
century. Industrial and social development has resulted in increased greenhouse gas
emissions and rising atmospheric CO2 levels, leading many to conclude that warming
over the last 50 years is at least to some extent attributable to human activities.
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C L I M A T E C H A N G E
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EnergyShort- and medium-term energy research aims to bring solutions to market quickly and
to address not only technical but also organisational, institutional, financial and social
issues. Areas of research include clean energy, savings and efficiency, and alternative
motor fuels. Longer term research focuses on new and renewable energy sources,
including fuel cells, energy from hydrogen, renewable energy, and capture and
sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel plants.
Significant progress has already been achieved in the renewable energy sector. Since
1981 (FP1) more than €230 million has been allocated to wind energy, which, today,
covers 2.8% of Europe’s electricity needs. Recent efforts have achieved biomass
electricity production costs as low as 0.05 €/kWh, against 0.03 €/kWh for traditional
techniques. In the field of solar energy, the cost of installed kW has been reduced by
40% in the last ten to fifteen years. Meanwhile, materials research has increased the
efficiency of supercritical coal power plants, reducing CO2 emissions by 10%.
TransportThe reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a major challenge for the transport sector.
EU technological objectives include:
> Higher vehicle efficiency and lower fuel consumption through lighter-weight vehicles;
> Engine technologies that minimise unburned and toxic exhausts;
> Energy storage systems, fuel cells and electric engines for zero or near-zero emission
vehicles;
> Promoting alternative transport modes such as rail and inland waterborne transport,
and short sea shipping, and developing technologies for intermodal transport.
EU and private research over the past 5-10 years has enabled the auto industry to
significantly reduce CO2 emissions of new cars. In the last 5 years, improved
combustion processes such as the Common Rail and, more recently, multijet
technologies for the diesel engines have demonstrated a potential decrease of 30% in
CO2 emissions.
IndustryEU research on sustainable industrial production and consumption has also made a
significant contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as detailed on page 12.
In the future, European R&D will have to address more directly the demand side of the
equation, facing the implications of both industrial processes and human activities, and
finding new answers to the question of permanently increasing energy and transport
needs and the continuing dependency on fossil fuel energy sources.
The lean green vehicleRoad transport is a difficult area in which to implement policy change because of the
freedom and mobility that cars offer. However, much of the pollution that damages
health, and the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change, come from road
transport. Lost productivity and high noise levels are other consequences of road
congestion.
The EU-funded CLEVER project is developing a vehicle for urban transport that is small,
safe and energy efficient with low noise and emissions. The design is a three-wheeled
vehicle, taking two occupants and luggage and fully enclosed against the weather. The car
is powered by compressed natural gas stored in two removable cylinders that are custom
designed for ease of handling and refilling.
For more information www.clever.project.net
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
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P U B L I C H E A L T H
On the international front (INCO Programme), an external assessment by independent
experts examined 43 collaborative research projects on public health issues in partner regions
of the Union, with emphasis on developing, emerging and transition economies. Presented at
a key session at the World Health Summit in Mexico in 2004, it provided direction in the
public health debate and gave new impetus to the campaign focussing on ‘GRIPP’ (Getting
Research Into Policy and Practice).
From words to action
Adopted in June 2004, the European Environment and Health Action Plan (2004-2010)
provides a framework for integrating research activities on environment and health within
different European Commission Directorates. This entails the review of ongoing research
initiatives to ensure that they benefit from the most up-to-date scientific and policy information.
Since the early 90s, successive Framework Programmes have set aside
significant resources for health-related environment research. Under FP5,
there was a specific ‘key action’ on ‘Environment and health’, with a budget of
€160 million. Work has concentrated on the cause-and-effect relationships
between air pollution, chemicals, food quality and health.
The Action Plan is targeting four priority disease groups:
> Asthma and allergies;
> Neurodevelopmental disorders;
> Cancers;
> Endocrine effects, including the long-term effects of hazardous chemicals and
exposure via food.
The Plan also addresses improved risk assessment and early identification of
emerging issues, such as the effects of climate change on health and the impacts of
water pollution and nanoparticles. It is developing a coordinated approach to
monitoring environmental hazards and instituting appropriate policy responses such
as consumer notification and training for health workers.
For more on the European Environment and Health Action Plan (2004-2010), see
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/health/index_en.htm.
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
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P U B L I C H E A L T H
Health and chemicals
Technological advances over past decades and centuries have done much to further
the prosperity and well being of European citizens, but modern agriculture and
industry also release many potentially toxic substances into the environment, some
of which contaminate the air and soil, and find their way into ground and coastal
waters. Little is known about the ultimate fates of many of these contaminants and
their effects on living resources and other organisms. Toxic substances can cause
undesirable biological effects on organisms and they may accumulate in living
resources at levels that pose a threat to human consumers. Resource managers who
make vital decisions on regulation and protection of our environment need accurate
and reliable information on toxins, their sources, levels, and fate and effects in the
environment.
Understanding the effects of chemical contaminants on human health was a major
priority for research launched under FP5. The 40 EU-funded projects in this area
have focused on a number of issues:
> Hazard and risk characterisation of various groups of chemicals, including heavy
metals, endocrine disrupters; dioxins, PCBs, styrene, asbestos, etc.;
> Epidemiological approaches to exposure assessment, including the use of
biomarkers, birth cohorts, etc.;
> Development of new methods for analysis of toxicity;
> Exploring the role of genetic susceptibility to disease development;
> Investigation of mechanisms of disease development in various organs in ‘real-life’
exposure situations, i.e. low doses and multiple exposures.
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
Health and air pollution
There can be no doubt that human health is affected by air quality, particularly
exhaust emissions containing NOx, carbon and heavy metal particulates. The
impacts of these emissions are seen predominantly in urban areas. Under FP5, EU
research was initiated to better understand the relationships between air
pollution, human exposure and health. Specific efforts are now being made to
improve the interface between the research community and policy makers, to
enable local and regional authorities to take appropriate measures to reduce the
negative impact of pollutants on citizens.
For example, specific activities developed under the AIRNET Thematic Network
are providing a focal point for more than 18 research projects financed under the
European Commission’s Fifth Framework Programme and under national air
pollution and health research projects.
For more, see the AIRNET website at airnet.iras.uu.nl.
In order to increase the dissemination and utility of research findings,
stakeholders are being progressively provided with effective and affordable
guidelines and tools to better manage air quality and human health issues. Here,
the CLEAR initiative (Cluster on Air Quality Research) was a shining example,
gathering 11 research projects financed under FP5 and FP6.
See www.nilu.no/clear.
We now know that people spend about 80% of their daytime hours in buildings.
Therefore, EU research also concentrates on the major issue of indoor air
pollution, which regularly exceeds its outdoor counterpart. Under FP6, the EnVIE
Coordination Action was launched to help to bring together EU, national and
other research actions in this field.
For more, see www.indoorairenvie.cstb.fr.
P U B L I C H E A L T H
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Getting information to those who need it
The results of these and other projects are provided to the appropriate
regulatory authorities dealing with chemical safety of food as well as to other
information dissemination networks and the broader media.
Under FP6, the CASCADE Network of Excellence focused on research, risk
assessment and education with respect to chemical contaminants in food. An
ambitious initiative in terms of scale, CASCADE brought together a large
number of stakeholders from a variety of disciplines related to chemical safety.
Its goal was to provide both European decision makers and consumers with
reliable and harmonised information on health risks associated with exposure
to chemical residues in food.
For more information see the CASCADE website: www.cascadenet.org.
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
Health and Food
The aim of EU-funded food and nutrition research is to provide a better
understanding of consumer requirements and a healthy, safe and high-quality food
supply, while improving the competitiveness of the European food industry. Food
technology research aims at ecologically and economically sustainable technologies,
both traditional, such as baking and brewing, and more advanced, such as high-
pressure treatment.
Food safety research aims at safer methods of production, for example in order to
reduce the risk of mycotoxins. Research on nutrition focuses on food and consumer
health and well being, with a specific emphasis on vulnerable groups such as
children and on priority disorders and diseases.
Chemical risk assessment
Under FP6, the NOMIRACLE Integrated Project focused on the development of improved methods
for risk assessment with respect to chemical exposure in the environment and for human health.
The novelty of the approach lies in its tackling of cumulative risks from combined exposures to
multiple stressors.
For more on NOMIRACLE see http//:nomiraclejrc.it
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RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
P U B L I C H E A L T H
Health and development
Poverty, often accompanied by poor sanitation and limited access to drinking
water, has created wide gaps between rich and poor in terms of health.
Diseases that are often preventable in developed countries remain a major
cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, where poverty is rife,
directly and indirectly affecting all members of developing societies, in
particular young children. The link between water and health is being
addressed through the EU Water Initiative, among others.
The European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) was a
significant initiative making a major contribution to sustainable development
under the FP6 Priority 1 on ‘Life Sciences, genomics and biotechnology for
health’. With a budget of €600 million covering the period of 2003-2007, the
EDCTP is devoted to meeting the needs of the world’s most vulnerable
populations, through the development of new medicines and vaccines to fight
three major communicable diseases linked to poverty: HIV/AIDS; tuberculosis;
and malaria.
The EDCTP brings together for the first time EU Member States plus Norway,
developing countries, other donors and important industrial players. The
unprecedented partnership is supporting more and better-coordinated R&D in
a joint effort to confront diseases that hit hardest in developing countries.
In addition, the INCO programme of joint research between Europe and
partner regions, e.g. Africa, Asia and Latin America, has been working for 20
years on neglected diseases such as sleeping sickness, schistosomiasis,
leishmaniasis, Dengue fever, river blindness and childhood infections, which
account for high levels of morbidity and mortality in developing countries.
Under FP6, 44 active projects with a combined budget of €40 million covered
15 different neglected diseases. A major conference in November 2006 will
present these diseases to the wider public agenda.
Good research for better policy
A number of projects under the heading of FP6 ‘policy-oriented research’ have contributed
to the process of informed decision-making at the European level, addressing issues such as
public health, ageing society development, poverty and social exclusion. Specific areas of
research include:
> Patient mobility;
> Quality and performance assessment;
> Health costs at individual service level;
> Key factors driving health expenditures, with particular reference to ageing;
> Communicable diseases, in particular research tackling the SARS outbreak;
> Best procedures for secure blood, organ, tissue and cell donation;
> Demographic projections to support the policy-making process, notably in the areas of
social welfare, health and disability;
> Rethinking care;
> Adequacy of pension systems.
New goals on the horizon
EU research will have to address new challenges in the years to come, in particular in the
area of poverty-related diseases or in delivering expected outcomes to patients and society
at large. Building a ‘Europe for patients’ will require the development of common criteria
and standards for quality assessment of healthcare, including the comparison of clinical
trials across Europe, with the aim of highlighting best practices in the interest of the patient.
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O U R A G E I N G S O C I E T Y
O U R A G E I N G S O C I E T Y
Widening scope
Under FP6, the objectives of ageing research were widened to include the
area of human development, thus covering the entire life cycle life, from birth
through ageing and death, as well as genomic research on healthy ageing
and age-related diseases. Policy driven research covers the impact of the
ageing society on health care and social systems, employment of older
workers, elderly care issues and pensions.
Increasing life expectancy
In spite of progress on improving health care and social services, knowledge
is still lacking about ageing itself as a phenomenon. European research on
ageing has been given a considerable boost under the Framework
Programmes and future research will continue to address ageing and life
expectancy in a coordinated and integrated way.
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURERising to the challenge
The ageing process is often regarded as posing major economic, budgetary and social
challenges, with worrying implications for pension provision, welfare systems and health care.
Under FP5, a specific ‘Key Action’ was dedicated to ‘The ageing population and their
disabilities’, funding 120 projects worth €145 million. For the first time, the European
research community took an integrative approach to this sector, combining both pure
biomedical and health policy-driven research, including socio-economic aspects.
Ongoing projects are focusing on diseases and illnesses (onset, prevention and treatment),
new technologies and public health and social research, and are expected to deliver:
> Better understanding of the condition, health problems and illnesses of the aged
population;
> Aetiologies and prevalence of major age-related diseases;
> Improved knowledge bases for the pharmaceutical industry and for clinical practice;
> Advancement of specialised systems and services for better care management and
practice;
> New or improved health care products.
Few things are predictable in economic and social life, but the ageing of the European
population is one of them. The change is being generated by a combination of falling
fertility (with the exception of the Nordic countries) and an increase in average life
expectancy. In the past, increases in life expectancy were due to declining infant mortality.
Now they are based on falling mortality at older ages – death is occurring later. The result
– an increasing population of older people and a changing age balance between young and
old – is already apparent, and the trend is set to reshape the demographic structure of
Europe for decades to come.
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RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
M A N A G E M E N T O F N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E S
M A N A G E M E N T O F N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E S
Protection of natural resources
Managing the environment and ecosystems and associated socio-economic
interactions is crucial to achieving sustainable development, as is the
development of further predictive capacities with respect to the impacts of
policies on evolving complex systems.
Research plays a critical role in understanding the impact of our growth on
natural resources and finding the right balance between economic viability and
social acceptability of human activities and the preservation of the environment.
This requires better modelling and forecasting of the evolution of the natural
environment and how it is affected by different policy options.
Research is key
EU research in this domain deals with issues such as the management of
European and global water and soil resources. It also targets World Summit on
Sustainable Development mandates, including:
> Restoration of deeply affected marine ecosystems;
> Management of inland ecosystems, including forests;
> Land use changes;
> Preservation of biodiversity, i.e. the sustainable use of the living resources
> Promotion of a ‘clean environment approach’, in particular for mining and
waste management;
> Management of green spaces in urban areas.
The 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report, co-sponsored by the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) and other partners, says that our planet’s capacity to sustain
human society is eroding, indicating urgent threats from globally declining fisheries,
degraded soils, water shortages, widespread biodiversity loss and climate change.
With a third of humanity is now living in poverty, earning incomes of less than two
dollars per day, attention must be focussed on increasing equitability within and
among societies, especially in the context of economic growth in developing
countries, without neglecting the environmental component.
Environmental degradation is one of the first indications of unsustainable social
and economic systems, making management of natural resources the frontline in
the struggle for more sustainable and equitable development. EU research is
tackling the management of natural resources from two angles:
> Protection of natural resources;
> Sustainable industrial production and consumption (also an important issue for
climate change).
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Protection of natural resources
Examples of improved management and protection of natural resources resulting from
EU research are numerous and diverse:
> In the maritime sector, deep-water marine ecosystems are in real danger because of
the spread of economic activities towards the deep sea. The EU-supported survey and
exploration of deeper-water ecosystems, involving high-tech imaging, are contributing
to their protection.
> The Commission is exploring the possibility of prohibiting any form of fisheries
exploitation at depths of more than 1000 metres in the Mediterranean Sea, because
these ecosystems are known to be especially vulnerable to fishing pressure.
> In the field of terrestrial biodiversity, research has established useful impact indicators
of pollution, climate change and environmental policies on various species, enabling
better protection and use of living resources.
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
Public archive on fish biodiversity and ecosystemsThe Commission-supported www.fishbase.org database, created
by a European-led voluntary world-wide collaboration, currently
serves some 2 million users per month (24 million hits) and is an
example of how scientific excellence and service to citizens can
be usefully combined.
Progress in co-operation
International co-operation between EU and non-EU countries is a high priority for
the European Commission in all areas of research, with particular emphasis on the
three dimensions of sustainable development. Currently, co-operative scientific
activities are being undertaken with both regional European and international
partners all over the world. Specific highlights are support to the EU Water Initiative,
the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Desertification Convention, the recent co-
operation agreement between DG Research and UN-HABITAT, and joint research to
help reach key targets of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, including
restoring degraded marine and coastal ecosystems.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development has indeed been a major impetus
behind a new generation of collaborative projects now coming on-stream. These are
aimed at producing scientifically validated, relevant knowledge to help in the
implementation of the ecosystem restoration agenda set by heads of state and
government. Emphasis is being put on the exploitation of research results to
underpin political commitments, lowering barriers to access by citizens, and
increasing the reliability of decision-making from individual to organisational levels.
Considering all factors
Multifunctional aspects of land use were another critical issue for FP6. Agriculture
and forestry, for example, produce more than just food and wood. Other outcomes,
or ‘functions’, are also essential for the well being of society and should be
considered by policy makers.
New methods and tools are being developed to inform the decision-making process
on the possible impacts of policies on all dimensions of sustainable development.
Economic analyses must consider all the positive and negative implications of any
given action, identifying cost-efficient and cost beneficial options and evaluating
trade-offs between policies while being sensitive to social dimensions, including
gender.
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RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
M A N A G E M E N T O F N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E S
Sustainable industrial production and consumption
Sustainable production is a fundamental principle underlying collaborative
research in the European Union, and the Commission’s Framework
Programme has made a major contribution to this effort, focusing on R&D
projects that take into account the environmental and social impacts of
product and process innovations across a broad spread of industries. Research
in this domain, which started under FP4 (1996-1999), addresses the following
specific issues:
> Minimising natural resource and energy consumption;
> Approaching zero waste production;
> Changing production and consumption patterns.
Research efforts have resulted in dramatic improvements of some industrial
production processes. The following are just a few examples:
> Newly developed fluidised bed cement manufacturing technologies exhibit
outstanding environmental performance compared to the traditional
processes (i.e. kiln firing and drying), including reduction of CO2 emission
by 10-12% and significant reduction of NOx emissions.
> EU research has contributed to the introduction of white biotechnology in
the tanning industry, reducing the use of non-renewable resources and
process-related emissions. The most significant environmental benefit results
from the substantial reduction of lime (calcium hydroxide) and sodium
sulphide use in the enzyme-based liming process.
> In the pulp and paper industry, cogeneration process yield has been
increased significantly in the last 5 years, allowing for some 30-35% savings
in energy use compared to conventional boilers.Links: EU ‘Integrated Product Policy’ website:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ipp/home.htm
EU ‘REACH’ Website
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/reach/index.htm
Nanotechnologies, Materials and Processes
Since FP5, sustainability has been a major specific goal of the ‘Nanotechnologies,
Materials and Processes’ thematic priority, on the same level as the objective of
strengthening European competitiveness.
Under FP6, there was a clear shift from ‘end-of-the-pipe’ solutions to ‘radical changes’
in production patterns. The Programme aimed to encourage the transition towards a
highly competitive knowledge-based industrial economy, producing, in a sustainable
manner, products with high added value.
The EU wants to create conditions under which Europe can fully benefit from the
expected nanotechnologies-based industrial revolution. Research in all key
knowledge-based areas of industry, including processes and products, new intelligent
materials and nanotechnologies, and their integration is leading to sustainable
production and consumption and contributing to a broad diversity of policies, such as
the Integrated Product Policy (IPP) and REACH legislation (Registration, Evaluation
and Authorisation of CHemicals). In the long term, it will also contribute to meeting
World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) commitments.
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RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
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M A N A G E M E N T O F N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E S
Sustainable industrial production and consumption
For the European Union, sustainable production is a fundamental principle underlying
collaborative industrial research. The Framework Programme supports this policy by
focusing on R&D projects that take into account the environmental and social impacts of
innovations across a broad range of industries.
The classical concept of ‘efficiency’, which refers to lower inputs for a given activity, should be
modified to include the concept of ‘sufficiency’, which is concerned with finding new ways to meet
user needs. Sufficiency will become highly significant aim through 2020, with major implications
for the objectives, scope, content and instruments of appropriate RTD and innovation policies.
The future European system of production will harness human ingenuity, capital and
resources to give people better lives while consuming fewer material resources and energy.
Sustainable production and consumption will support the quality of individual and social
life in ways that are economically successful while respecting both local and global
environmental limits. To make this industrial transformation possible, technologies,
knowledge and skills from different disciplines must be gathered in the medium term.
Meeting the challenge of the European industry’s transformation
In the longer term, the EU must work to capitalise on the enormous potential of
nanosciences and nanotechnologies. These disciplines will join with new, intelligent
materials and innovative production processes to deliver higher-added value products and
services. The speed of innovation and the rapid uptake of new developments in these fields
are already transforming the European industrial landscape, creating new mass markets
and improving the quality of life and health of European citizens.
Boosting the competitiveness of European industry is an important part of meeting the
Lisbon objective, which sees Europe as the most competitive knowledge-based society by
2010, as well as the Göteborg targets of sustainable development.
Technologies that reduce pollution
Pollution abatement technologies are aimed at reducing the degree or intensity of
pollution in soil, rivers, lakes, seas and in the atmosphere. Important progress has been
made in this area in the last five years, including the development of after-treatment
technologies that clean exhaust gases that result from combustion processes. The ART-
DEXA project is a case in point. Financed under FP5, it developed a new diesel
particulate filter – now commercially available – that reduces particulates from exhaust
gas to 94% below the Euro 4 limits.
ART-DEXAThe European automotive industry faces the enormous challenge of reducing transportation
related environmental impact, conserving energy and advancing social welfare, all without
jeopardising its role as a prime contributor to economic growth.
Partners in the ART-DEXA project believe significant reductions in CO2 emissions can be
achieved through an increased deployment of the modern highly efficient direct-injection
diesel engine in the transportation sector. The main barrier holding up the spread of these
engines is the amount of harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates they emit. ART-DEXA
has now developed a system for treating diesel exhaust involving a filter that decreases
particulate and NOx emissions.
For more on ART-DEXA and related EU-funded research, see:
http://cornelius.cperi.certh.gr/dexa.html
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tock
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P O V E R T Y A N D S O C I A L E X C L U S I O N
P O V E R T Y A N D S O C I A L E X C L U S I O N
The European Union is facing important economic and social challenges in the wake
of enlargement. Recent estimates suggest that up to 65 million people now live in
poverty in the 25 Member States, with the richest 20% of the population receiving five
times the total income of the bottom 20%.
The recent adoption by the European Commission of policies dealing with poverty
eradication has been heralded as a new development, reflecting trends in the
international community, but closer analysis of EU aid shows a clear commitment
to poverty eradication dating back to the 1970s.
The role of research
EU research addresses poverty and social exclusion in a variety of ways, tackling
issues such as:
> The role of labour markets and employment;
> Inter-generational transmission of poverty and social exclusion;
> Inequality;
> Immigration and ethnic minorities;
> Urban issues;
> Education and related policies, including social and employment policies.
The effect of urban programmes on social inclusion in deprived urban areas has also
been the subject of EU research. Innovative evaluation methods have been
developed and tested while ‘benchmarking’ has enabled local stakeholders to
compare methods and outcomes of the urban programmes at the international level.
EU research has also contributed to the establishment of guidelines for the transfer
of best initiatives in social housing and neighbourhood practices between European
countries, including new Member States (see the NEHOM project website:
www.nhh.no/geo/NEHOM/).RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
WELLCHILaunched under the Sixth Framework Programme, WELLCHI (The
well-being of children) has set up a network to improve our
knowledge of the impact of changing family forms, working
conditions, and social policy and legislative measures on the well-
being of children and their families.
The network, coordinated by the Institute of Childhood and Urban
World (CIIMU), in Spain, is publicising the results of research that
has already been carried out through a series of international
workshops and conferences. Considering that the eradication of
child poverty is a precondition for the future of a society based on
social cohesion, this project is addressing topics including the
accumulation of socio-economic risks, current and past
inequalities, quality of life and access to services, and the
intergenerational inheritance of inequalities.
For more on WELLCHI see: www.ciimu.org/wellchi/index6.php.
© DG REGIO© DG REGIO
© DG REGIO
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M O B I L I T Y , T R A N S P O R T A N D R E G I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T
M O B I L I T Y , T R A N S P O R T A N D R E G I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T
Keeping Europe moving
Efficient transport that enables the free movement of people and goods is
crucial to economic prosperity and quality of life. But, today, road congestion in
the EU is steadily increasing and the problem is aggravated by the fact that
European roads are being used more and more to the exclusion of other
transport modes such as railways and inland waterways.
Current projections indicate passenger transport will continue to increase by about 2% per
annum and goods traffic by about 3% until 2010. The EU is now encouraging the
integration of existing transport modes. The development of a seamless transport web,
linking road, rail and waterways, is a key objective of the EU’s Common Transport Policy.
To achieve sustainable mobility, research supports activities aimed at developing new
infrastructure, increasing the capacity of existing infrastructure and developing
technologies in support of an intelligent European transport system. This includes the
application of satellite-linked navigation technologies and smart interactivity between
vehicles and infrastructure.
Balancing road, rail and waterborne transport
The current modal split sees 43% of EU freight carried by road, 41% by maritime
transport, 9% by rail and 4% by inland waterways. Research is now being directed
towards the development of more efficient intermodal transport, particularly by
improving interfaces for freight transfer through effective loading and unloading
operations, and the establishment of new ‘motorways of the sea’.
EU research initiatives have successfully developed novel concepts that enable
efficient shifting from land to waterborne transport. For example, the
INTERMODESHIP project (see: www.kockumseng.se/intermodeship/) has resulted in
the construction of six vessels, valued at €90 million, and two inland port facilities to
service a new intermodal route. This will eliminate several thousand lorry journeys
each year on roads between Sweden and Duisburg.
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
© Stock.xchng
© Alstom
PROPOLISThe FP5 PROPOLIS project was aimed at defining sustainable long-term urban strategies and
demonstrating their effects in European cities. New methodologies and tools for analysing
urban transport and land use policies and their impacts were developed and successfully
applied in Helsinki, Dortmund, Naples, Vicenza, Inverness, Bilbao and Brussels.
The results showed growing traffic volumes mean our cities are continuing to deteriorate,
both socially and in environmental terms, despite initiatives designed to improve the situation.
Therefore, it is only through radical action that we can hope to establish a level of true
sustainability.
For more on PROPOLIS, see www.ltcon.fi/propolis/
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RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
Transport and European cities
EU-funded research is also addressing the major issue of urban mobility, developing
novel forms of transport and undertaking major reorganisation initiatives in European
cities. Under FP5, research investigated the key relationship between transport and land
use planning. Specific goals included improving local and regional decision-making
processes, reducing car dependency by promoting shorter distances between jobs,
services and housing, and ensuring that new policies do not deter urban sustainability.
SafetyTransport safety is another major European concern. On European roads alone, 47,000
people now die each year. The Union has made significant contributions to improving
both pedestrian and passenger safety, integrating active and passive safety approaches.
Active safety measures – preventing accidents from happening in the first place, most
importantly by influencing driver behaviour through regulation, law enforcement, etc.,
but also by improving roads and vehicle performance.
Passive safety measures – limiting the negative consequences of accidents, through
improved vehicle standards and safety systems, including intelligent structures,
advanced air bags and adaptive restraint systems.
Information gathering and dissemination – originally set up to provide a realistic and
independent assessment of the car safety performance, the European New Car
Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has also had an important influence on car
manufacturers. Meanwhile, the CARE accident statistics database gathers and makes
available information on the causes of accidents and injury.
EU research seeks to achieve 30-50% overall road safety improvement by 2010.
Rail safetyTrain accidents continue to occur across Europe, despite major improvements in active
safety systems such as signalling, and a major refocus on passenger train safety. These
accidents result in an average of 100 passenger and crew fatalities per year within the
EU. In early 2002, the European Commission proposed a new package of measures to
revitalise European railways, based on the Transport White Paper.
Waterborne transport safetyDespite major improvements over the past decades, maritime disasters, including the
Estonia and Erika incidents, demonstrate the need for continued improvement of safety at
sea, to protect human life and the environment. The European Commission has
responded by introducing legislation and by funding maritime safety-related research.
Regional developmentThere are many elements under the EU’s Framework Programme aimed at regional
development. For example, three large research projects, SENSOR, SEAMLESS and
EFORWOOD, are currently addressing land use in the context of sustainable
development, assessing the multiple functions of land and the conflicts between them.
The ultimate objective of these projects is to develop new tools for assessing the impact of
policies, technologies and management options on sustainability.
M O B I L I T Y , T R A N S P O R T A N D R E G I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T
For more on SENSOR: www.sensor-ip.org/
SEAMLESS: www.seamless-ip.org/index.htm
EFORWOOD: www.eforwood.com/
© Belga
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
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E U R E S E A R C H P O L I C Y I N I T I A T I V E S
T H E E U R O P E A N R E S E A R C H A R E A ( E R A ) A N D B E Y O N D
Environment and Health
DG RTD has also been one of the main actors, along with DG ENV, in the preparation
of the European Environment and Health Action Plan (2004-2010). It proposes an
integrated approach involving closer co-operation between the health, environment
and research areas. It calls for the development of a Community System integrating
information on the state of the environment, the ecosystem and human health, to allow
more efficient assessment of the relationships between them. To this end, the Action
Plan also proposes to launch a coordinated approach to Human Biomonitoring between
the Member States.
Recent policy initiatives by DG RTD have been aimed at a more rapid delivery of better-
coordinated research at a lower cost. The result of the ERA is better support for all of the
policies addressed by EU research, including the SDS. Another important policy milestone
has been the ‘3% Action Plan’ adopted by the European Commission in April 2003.
The 3% Action PlanThe aim of the 3% Action Plan is to increase the average research investment level to 3% of
GDP by 2010, of which two thirds should come from the private sector. The ultimate objective
is to create a stronger European public research base and to make private investment in
research and innovation more attractive. This will allow the European Union to bridge the
growing gap in research investment between itself and its main trading partners.
The plan was based on a wide-ranging consultation of European institutions, Member States,
acceding and candidate countries, as well as stakeholders from industry, public research and
finance. The consultation confirmed that there is broad support for the 3% objective and
showed that most countries are already taking measures to boost investment in research and
that many have set national targets in line with the European 3% objective. Importantly, from
the SDS perspective, recent studies have demonstrated that this increase in R&D investment
can be realised without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Biotechnology
Recent DG RTD Communications have singled out specific sectors that both exhibit a high
potential for sustainable growth and suffer from insufficient and/or fragmented research
efforts. The Action Plan on Biotechnology, for example, calls for more support for life
sciences and biotechnology research, including work under the thematic priority on
Environment. Biotechnology and the life sciences promise to revolutionise societies, notably
by curing diseases, making food healthier and the environment cleaner, all the while
creating unprecedented prosperity.
Environmental Technology
DG RTD and DG ENV jointly adopted the Environmental Technology Action Plan (ETAP) in
January 2004. The ETAP represents a clear demonstration of the political will to promote
the development and deployment of environmental technologies. It builds on the potential
of environmental technologies to promote both the protection of the environment and the
economic growth, hence making a decisive and ‘business-friendly’ contribution to the SD
strategy.
© Stock.xchng
© ESA
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RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
GEO and GEOSS
Today, people and governments around the globe are using environmental data to
estimate crop yields, monitor water and air quality and improve disaster warning and
mitigation, among other things. The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is making a
major contribution to these efforts, aiming to make Earth Observation more effective at
worldwide level.
The GEO is an intergovernmental body, currently consisting of 60 countries and the
European Commission, charged with implementing a ten-year plan to strengthen co-
operation in EO, including with regard to developing countries. The aim is to complete and
link between in situ networks and airborne and space-based platforms to create a Global
Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). Through the GEOSS, observations and
data will be more freely shared and exchanged, revolutionising both our understanding of
how the world works and our ability to monitor and manage our environment for the
benefit of all on Earth. The societal and economic benefits of GEOSS include:
> Reducing loss of life and property from disasters;
> Gaining a better understanding of how environmental factors affect human health;
> Understanding climate change and managing its consequences;
> Improving resource management, such as energy and water;
> Improving weather information, forecasting and warning;
> Understanding and managing ecosystems and biodiversity;
> Supporting sustainable agriculture and combating desertification.
The Research Directorate-General is leader and organiser of GEO activities within the
European Commission, collaborating with EU Member States and the countries most
closely associated with the Framework Programme to coordinate Europe’s contributions.
The GMES initiative, a related action led by the Commission, is seen as a particularly
significant European contribution to the GEOSS. On 28 November 2005, the European
Space Council, comprising ministers representing the 27 European Union (EU) and/or
European Space Agency (ESA) Member States, endorsed the orientations necessary to
move ahead on GMES. Ministers noted the importance of maintaining an autonomous
European EO capacity, supporting political decision making, as well as the importance
of the international dimension of GMES and its status as the main European
contribution to the worldwide Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).
The Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE) initiative will help to make
more and better geo-spatial data available for EU policy-making and implementation, by
dealing with the obstacles to its use. Another relevant activity is the development of a
Shared Environment Information System (SEIS) for Europe.
For the latest information on GEO and GEOSS, see
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/environment/geo/article_2450_en.htm#1
European Space Policy
Scientific and industrial space research is a strong driving force for new technology
developments, with many subsequent applications of benefit to society and the
environment. Space is a strategic sector for growth and employment, and thus a key tool
for promoting Sustainable Development. Space applications underpin economic activity
and crucial government services, taking their significance well beyond the research
environment. Space is increasingly a key element for EU policies, including transport,
agriculture, environment, security and information society. Together with terrestrial
components, space technologies help make possible our modern monitoring and
communications networks and services.
A progress report on the development of a European Space Policy, under which the roles
of the different European space stakeholders are to be clarified, was presented to the
Space Council in November 2005. The Commission has proposed uniting all European
resources, including those of the EU and ESA, with the objective of making the EU a key
player in the global space sector.
E U R E S E A R C H P O L I C Y I N I T I A T I V E S
Meteorological station on the Illimani glacier (6 340 m.), Bolivia. © IRD
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A C T I O N S R E L A T I N G T O H O W P R O J E C T S A N D P O L I C I E S A R E I M P L E M E N T E D
I N T E G R A T E D A P P R O A C H
Example of integrated approaches: the management of urban areas
More than ever, research is needed to address the Sustainable Development of Europe’s
cities. While urban policy is normally left to Member States and cities themselves, EU-
level initiatives act more globally as a catalyst in helping the development of new tools
and technologies to move forward on urban issues.
The overall goal of the FP5 ‘City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage’ key action was to
help European cities and urban regions to achieve sustainable economic development
and competitiveness, improved management and integrated planning policy, and to
safeguard and improve the quality of life and cultural identity of citizens. Research
concentrated on areas that can make a substantial difference to urban sustainability,
including the development of tools for city planning and management, protection,
conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage, and urban transport.
Linking cultural heritage with science and innovation to adapt to modern demography
and socio-economic conditions is also a major challenge in partner regions. The
Traditional Knowledge World Bank (www.tkwb.org) supported by UNESCO and some
international collaboration (INCO) is one way to connect citizens with research and
application, both in urban and rural contexts.
Improving urban management practices around the world is at the heart of the February
2006 co-operation agreement between UN-HABITAT and DG RTD. The results of their
respective research programmes will be more intensively shared and diffused in order to
promote the uptake up of the most promising solutions by local and regional authorities.
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
Building bridges across disciplinary, sectoral, institutional and national borders is one of the
central concerns of the European Research Area. With the recognition of science and learning
as increasingly international activities and of their importance for global and Sustainable
Development, emphasis is being put on opening the ERA to the world and raising experience
gained under previous INCO programmes to a higher qualitative level.
From 1983 to 2002, some 40 000 research personnel from both the EU and third countries
participated in more than 3000 agricultural, health and natural resource projects alone. Such
co-operation promotes development of long-term durable partnerships and is increasingly
underpinned by bi-regional political dialogues. Experience has shown that researchers, in
order to increase and accelerate the uptake of solutions they provide, need to engage much
more with citizens and organisations outside of academia. Trust building and better
communication efforts have proven most effective.
Science has always been an international endeavour, and scientific co-operation is now becoming
even more important as globalisation increases. The EU has a long tradition of pursuing
international science and technology (S&T) co-operation. It has supported collaborative research
for more than 20 years with partners in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America, the
Mediterranean basin, Russia and OECD countries. Today, almost all countries in the world can
participle to the collaborative research activities of the EU Framework Programme, allowing global
research challenges, such as Sustainable Development, to be addressed in common.
I N T E R N AT I O N A L C O - O P E R AT I O N
© IRD
.22Technology Platforms
The ‘Technology Platforms’ are high-level public/private partnerships that aim to define
and implement Strategic Research Agendas (SRAs) in their particular technology sectors.
Although not specifically developed to address SD issues, Technology Platforms can
provide new insights and direction in R&D requiring a high level of integration of
expertise and resources.
Currently, there are more than 28 operational Technology Platforms, and at least a third of
them are seen as likely to make a substantial contribution to SD strategy, including those
concerned with hydrogen and fuel cells, road, rail and waterborne transport,
photovoltaics, steel, water supply and sanitation, construction, sustainable chemistry,
manufacturing technologies, plant genomics and biotechnology.
Impact Assessment
The FP6 thematic priority on ‘Global Change and Ecosystems’ stressed the importance of
cross-cutting research on ‘Impact Assessment’, allowing policy makers to quantify the costs
and benefits of SD options. The three specific objectives were:
> Establishing sustainability thresholds – identifying the ‘point of no return’ of an ecosystem;
> Evaluation of externalities – the cost of pollution for the environment and human health or
the indirect benefits induced by human activity;
> Integrated impact assessment – detecting and measuring the economic effects of a given
policy option.
The above-mentioned study represents the first such highly detailed policy impact
assessment to be undertaken at the regional level, an issue addressed specifically by the
SDS II. It has played an important part in defining the EU strategy on climate change,
based on the Kyoto Protocol.
Improving policy coherence
Improving SD coherence across different policies and programmes has meant the
undertaking of multidisciplinary research projects and the creation of networks linking
environmental and socio-economic programmes and aimed at achieving greater agreement
on objectives. The role of technology policy is clear, but work has also addressed issues of
compatibility of trade and sustainability objectives in a global context. Other sustainability
issues include social and demographic sustainability, global and multi-level governance,
democratic accountability and the involvement of civil society.
A C T I O N S R E L A T I N G T O H O W P R O J E C T S A N D P O L I C I E S A R E I M P L E M E N T E D
RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
ACARELaunched in 2001, ACARE, the ‘Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe’ was the first of
the transport research Technology Platforms. Its members include representatives from EU Member
States, regulatory bodies, the European Commission, the aeronautics industry and air transport
operators. ACARE’s SRA was delivered in November 2002 and updated in March 2005 and, today,
remains a groundbreaking example of consensus building and co-operation in European research.
© Airbus
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European Commission
EUR 22003 EUROPEAN R&D IN SUPPORT OF THE EU SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities
2006 — 24 pp. — 21.0 x 29.7 cm
Sustainable development is a deep-seated value of the European Union and
encompasses issues of enormous importance to citizens, whether it be maintaining
and increasing long-term prosperity, addressing climate change or working towards
a safe, healthy and socially inclusive society. As we face increasingly rapid global
changes, from the melting of the icecaps to growing energy demand and higher
prices, the need to address unsustainable trends and to change our behaviour and
attitudes is more pressing than ever.
The EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) aims to bring about a high level
of environmental protection, social equity and cohesion, economic prosperity and
active promotion of sustainable development worldwide. The 2005 Strategy focuses
its actions on the key challenges of climate change and clean energy; public health;
social inclusion, demography and migration; management of natural resources;
sustainable transport and global poverty and development.
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