What research for Europe? Conference on the Fifth Framework Programme organised by the ANRT,
Paris 21-22 avril 1997
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The environment in the 5th RTD Framework Programme
Christian PATERMANN
Director of DG Research (environment)
1. The challenges of European environmental research It is first and foremost necessary to improve the quality of life and the environment for the citizens of the European Union. Pollution is in fact responsible for many respiratory conditions and for the deterioration of the European architectural heritage. Also, two thirds of Europeans now live in urban areas, particularly in the coastal regions. Lastly, water shortages are increasingly significant in the southern regions.
We also have to improve the Union's economic competitiveness. Now, environmental costs are increasingly high and the risks associated with natural disasters are not negligible.
In addition, the European market in environmental technologies is booming. The globalisation of research and knowledge is a reality. Europe has much to lose in this area: very few European countries are really present on the international scene. The influence of the United States and Japan is relentlessly increasing in the emerging countries, particularly in south-east Asia. We therefore have to defend the European positions in the research networks.
2. Rigorously selected research topics Above all we have to respond to social demand, particularly in contributing to the creation of jobs, to improving the quality of life and the environment. But we must not neglect economic development: "clean" technologies and inter-modal transport are examples of booming sectors. Also, added value and the community dimension are not overlooked: we have to reach the critical mass which will allow us not only to face tomorrow's challenges but also to deal with the problems that must be there on a European scale.
3. The core objectives of the RTD Framework Programme The new programme's structure consists of three major programmes, two of which include a certain number of key actions relating to the environment.
1. Discovering the resources of the living world and the ecosystem The key action "management and quality of water" is one where our contribution is the most significant: clean-up technologies, surveillance systems, irrigation technologies, stock control etc. What's more, I accord great attention to the creation of the new Suez-Lyonnaise des Eaux group. In fact we may all observe that its basic work is not very far removed from the objectives that we have set ourselves.
The "integral development of rural and coastal areas" is also a field of choice in environmental sciences. Profitability, sustainable management of resources and non-food uses are the principal areas of research.
These key actions are complemented by generic activities, some of which are related to the environment: prevention of major technological risks – a market which will definitely be very important in the future, use of technologies for observing the Earth, notably by satellite.
2. Encouraging competitive and sustainable growth For example, we know that the increase in air traffic is potentially enormous. The stake is to limit the impact of this growth on the environment, to limit the development of sound pollution etc.
A further example: in the key action "the city of tomorrow", we can contribute to the development of technologies for regeneration, sustainable economic renovation and building and to the preservation of the cultural heritage, particularly in the Mediterranean countries.
4. Conclusion Far from being isolated in the 5th RTD Framework Programme, environmental research is perfectly incorporated. It is certainly the best means of reconciling the economy and ecology via the improvement of technologies.
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