EU and US boost environmental research cooperation
Collaboration between European and American environmental researchers will be even easier in the new future thanks to a new agreement signed by the European Commission and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will focus on research addressing common environmental challenges. The Implementing Arrangement on Environmental Research and Ecoinformatics was negotiated in the framework of the bilateral Science and Technology Agreement between the US and the EU. Ecoinformatics refers to the advanced computer and information technology necessary for environmental research. Research topics highlighted in the agreement include environmental information systems; the development of environmental and sustainability indicators; decision support tools; sustainable chemistry and materials; and the uses and impacts of nanotechnology. The agreement is expected to lead to greater direct collaboration between US and European researchers, joint sponsorship of conferences and workshops, coordinated calls for proposals and exchanges of information, methodologies and data. Cooperative activities will be coordinated by a Steering Group made up of representatives from both signatories. 'This bilateral research framework marks a new level of collaboration between the US EPA and the Commission to help ensure that our efforts to protect the environment and public health, while promoting wealth through eco-innovation, are strongly supported by sound science,' commented José Manuel Silva Rodríguez, Director-General for Research within the European Commission. 'The collaboration will bring closer together scientists who are involved in policy analysis research and in this way help mutual understanding of topical environmental policy questions.' 'The United States and Europe share in the commitment of being good global neighbours,' said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. 'This agreement marks a new level of collaboration which will ensure our efforts to protect the environment and our citizens are supported by sound science.'
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