IPTS Annual Report 1996
The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS), one of the seven Institutes of the Commission's Joint Research Centre has published its 1996 Annual Report. The main objective of the IPTS is to help exploit technological change, in the broad policy sense, through a better understanding of the links between technology, economy and society. The Institute is divided into two sections, one engaged in technology watch and the other conducting research in the related fields of technology, employment and competitiveness. The Institute also carries out work on request from the Commission and European Parliament, or from third parties. Major highlights for the IPTS during 1996 included the launching of the monthly journal "The IPTS Report". This is published in conjunction with the European Science and Technology Observatory Network (ESTO), which was also successfully established in 1996. ESTO consists of 14 member organizations around Europe, and its primary aim is to extend the IPTS' technology watch capabilities. Another major development during the year was the establishment, within the technology watch unit of the IPTS, of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Bureau. This is the result of a successful competitive bid in response to a tender from DG XI of the Commission. The IPTS has also successfully won funding from the Commission under the Fourth Framework Programme and is currently participating in some 13 shared cost actions. Two third-party projects started in 1996 address life cycle assessment and the legal barriers to use of renewable energies. The Annual Report gives brief details of the activities of both its units in a number of key fields. It also lists all the projects carried out, publications in 1996 and gives information on the staff of the Institute.