EUROPE’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY · manner that is fully consistent with sustainable...

EUROPE’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE

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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


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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 ) ?


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


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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.


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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.


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.


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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.


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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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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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.


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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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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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

© S

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.16

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

.17

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.


© 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/

.18


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.


For more on SENSOR: www.sensor-ip.org/

SEAMLESS: www.seamless-ip.org/index.htm

EFORWOOD: www.eforwood.com/

© Belga


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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

.20


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

.21

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.


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


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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