European priorities for resource efficiency

Templepatrick, 24th March 2015

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9.5 billion by 2050

1 planet

The long-term vision

In 2050, we live well, within the planet’s ecological limits.

Our prosperity and healthy environment stem from an innovative, circular economy where nothing is wasted and where natural resources are managed sustainably, and biodiversity is protected, valued and restored in ways that enhance our society’s resilience.

Our low-carbon growth has long been decoupled from resource use, setting the pace for a safe and sustainable global society.

At least 60% of the overall Horizon 2020 budget (€70.2 bn) should be linked to sustainable

development;

Climate related expenditure should exceed 35% of overall Horizon 2020

UK National priorities are aligned with the European priorities4

Key priority areasCircular economy

- waste- water- raw materials

Climate servicesNature based solutions

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Waste is not a waste – it’s a resource

Rationale: The EU population throws away 2.7 billion tonnes of waste every year – 98 million are

hazardous. The most comes from construction and demolition waste, but proportion of electronics, plastics and food waste is also significant

The waste industry is a major opportunity for European society and economy, with a potential to reinforce EU position as a world market leader in recycling, recovery, and reuse

Any meaningful activities need to cover the whole production and consumption cycle, and involve a wide range of stakeholders for more sustainable consumption behaviour and lifestyle change

Focus on: Systemic approach, which looks at a wide range of combined, integrated technology

and non-technology solutions, also including business models, new supply networks and chains, social innovation, new modes of production and consumption, and new financing options 6

The value of water

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Rationale: Water resources are under pressure from climate change, urbanisation, pollution,

overexploitation of fresh resources and increasing competition between various user groups

Improvement of the state of water resources (quality and quantity) will trigger significant economic benefits. Europe has a strong potential to become world leader in water innovation – 9.000 SMEs active in the water sector, 600.000 direct jobs in water utilities. Just 1% increase of the rate of growth could create up to 20.000 jobs.

The world market for drinking and waste water €250bn in 2008, investments over €33bn per annum. The cost of repairing damages (floods and droughts) is x6 higher than the cost of adaptation.

Focus on: Thematic priorities: water reuse and recycling, water and waste water treatment (incl.

recovery of resources), water and energy integration, flood and drought risk management, and the role of ecosystem services in the provision of water related services.

Horizontal priorities: water governance, decision support system and monitoring, and financing for innovation.

Raw materials

Rationale: To promote sustainable access to, production and processing of raw materials to ensure

significant reduction in resource use and a secure and sustainable supply of non-energy, non-agricultural raw materials for industrial purposes, including critical raw materials

Focus on: The entire raw materials value chain – from sustainable exploration, extraction,

processing and recycling, as well as substitution, including bio-based materials

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Climate servicesRationale: Building foundations for developing European climate services

Climate services: demand-driven services for both mitigation and adaptation to climate change, for a range of end users, including businesses, public decision-makers and policy-makers, and citizens.

Building the ability and capacity to translate, transform and use climate-related data into customised products and practical applications, covering the links between physical, chemical, biology, social, gender, health and economic aspects.

Supporting climate policy through developing strategic capabilities in climate projection, prospective economic analysis, international cooperation and preparing for future IPCC reports

Focus on:

Translating data into usable information, developing the capacity of end users to understand what information they need in order to help design new solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation

Turning climate change into a business opportunity, in particular working with urban areas/cities to look at the different subsystems – energy, water, material flows, transport, socio-cultural system, knowledge base and labour market. 9

Managing natural resourcesRationale To establish Europe as a leader in innovation through nature-based solutions (solutions

inspired and supported by nature, while maintaining and/or enhancing natural capital) for improving our economic, social and environmental resilience

Focus on urban areas to complement existing European investments in Smart Cities

Focus on: Integrating nature-based solutions into urban areas

For example: solutions to enhance surface water retention from storm water or flooding can also help preserve biodiversity, improve air quality, mitigate heat island effect, and provide health and recreational benefits

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• Business-led innovation

• Involvement of a range of organisations (industry, academic, public, end users)

• Market and commercial focus

• International collaboration to address European/international issues by combining different disciplines and expertise

• Propose innovative solutions to the defined challenges

• Flexibility to involve a range of disciplines to solve the challenges

• Opportunity to pilot and demonstrate solutions (including cities as living labs)

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Key aspects

• Feedback to/from EC on work programmes

• Clarification of documentation and rules

• Guidance on choosing thematic priorities and instruments

• Scope queries with Project Officers

• Advice on administrative procedures and contractual issues

• Support with the application process (workshops and 1-2-1)

• Feedback on draft proposals

• Assistance with partner search

– through theme specific databases or across the network of other Member State NCPs (https://www.nks-umwelt.de/request-offer-list)

– through network support (EEN and KTN)

• Some feedback on results 12

NCP support

Thank you for your attention

Ewa BlochUK National Contact Point Climate change, environment, resource efficiency and raw materialsInnovate UK E: ewa.bloch@innovateuk.gov.uk

Register for regular updates on www.h2020uk.org

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