Europe in 2025
Unleashing innovative power
Policy Recommendations
We are beginning to track our Vision 2025 starting on 15 January 2010.
Reinvent public procurement
Reinvent public procurement – a significant source of demand in the EU – as a strategic driver for the development and implementation of new technologies, including through public-private partnerships (PPPs). Public procurement should be the channel through which the public sector leads by example, ensuring that the highest standards and latest technologies are used in public projects.
ERT Comment
Public procurement represents about 18% of EU GDP. The current actions undertaken by the Commission show clear interest to modernise public procurement, an objective put forward in the Europe 2020 Strategy. Provided follow up actions will lead to a shift from purchase price to life-cycle costs, which would result in more demand for more sophisticated, innovative goods. (last updated December 2011)
Provide EU funding for European ‘lighthouse projects’
Provide EU funding for European ‘lighthouse projects’ to support early demonstration and deployment.
ERT Comment
FP7 represents significant progress in terms of budget allowance and definition of priorities. Nevertheless the administrative procedure remains complex and burdensome, and the projects are too numerous and scattered. The FP8 priorities are under discussion and not clear yet. They should give more space for innovation and industrial pilot projects, including very large projects (last updated December 2011)
Secure stable and adequate EU funding of the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT)
Secure stable and adequate EU funding of the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT). The level of funding currently proposed is inadequate for the EIT concept to make a real difference by 2025.
ERT Comment
The Work Programme was delayed again. The threat of a heavy administrative burden could hamper industry participation. (last updated December 2011)
Develop a digital agenda
Develop a digital agenda that allows the EU to make full use of the possibilities of information and communications technology (ICT) to achieve the EU’s policy priorities, e.g.:
ERT Comment
The EU Digital Agenda and related activities are active, but miss a direct link to the overall future EU Competitiveness planning. These include a new R&D approach and specific areas like the Future Internet Economy. (last updated December 2011)
Reduce CO2 emissions
Reduce CO2 emissions by using all available technologies, including ‘green ICT’.
ERT Comment
Green ICT is high on the EU agenda. However, national implementation is still too slow to drive the change required. (last updated December 2011)
Boost productivity
Boost productivity by putting in place policy frameworks fostering private investment in broadband networks, digital services and applications.
ERT Comment
The Commission has been quite active concerning intiatives in this area as it is a key issue of the Digital Agenda (CEOs RoundTable on Broadband, Several consultations in the last month on State Aids, two public consultations related to access for alternative operators to the fixed telephone and broadband networks of established operators, etc...) However, no clear results have been obtained up to now. (last updated December 2011)
Add to societal well-being
Add to societal well-being by using state-of-the-art technologies in health, education and transport.
ERT Comment
The Commission has launched consultations on these issues, putting eHealth high on the political agenda, creating more awareness but no specific outcomes for the moment (last updated December 2011)
Create a Digital Single Market by 2015,
Create a Digital Single Market by 2015, with all related efforts fostering private investments.
ERT Comment
The Digital Agenda has gotten off to a good start and there are first encouraging signs for industry support. However, regarding investment conditions for Next Generations Networks there is still a lot of uncertainty and clear signals for positive investment conditions are missing. (last updated December 2011)
Develop a new approach to EU R&D funding:
Develop a new approach to EU R&D funding:
ERT Comment
An integrated approach for research and innovation funding is envisioned for FP8 (Horizon 2020). If adopted and properly implemented, the envisioned integration of the activities currently in FP7, CIP (Competitiveness & Innovation Programme) and EIT into Horizon 2020 as a Common Strategic Framework for EU research & innovation funding will represent a new approach to EU R&D funding that is more easy to access for participants, provides a seamless way from idea to market and involves all relevant DGs. (last updated December 2011)
Foster joint research roadmaps
foster joint research roadmaps bringing together university and pre-competitive corporate researchers to speed up the development of new technologies
ERT Comment
Roadmaps developed by European Technology Platforms have set the direction for Joint Technology Initiatives and PPPs in FP7; similar industry-driven roadmapping processes will be required in Horizon 2020. (last updated December 2011)
Improve consistency between existing R&D structures
improve consistency between existing R&D structures, including by improving the governance structures under the European Research Area (ERA)
ERT Comment
ESFRI roadmap for research infrastructures of pan-European interest updated; regulation on the European Research Infrastuctures put in place. Consultation preparing for 2012 ERA framework proposal features pan-European research infrastructures among key topics. (last updated December 2011)
Develop the knowledge triangle
develop the knowledge triangle by addressing it in the future EU research funding programme (post-FP7), as well as in national R&D and Educational programmes
ERT Comment
The knowledge triangle concept is implemented in the 3 KICs of the EIT, which are now finally in place. Too early to judge results. (last updated December 2011)
Secure Joint Programming in research
secure Joint Programming in research, as proposed by the European Commission.
ERT Comment
10 Joint Programming Initiatives active or in preparation, but with almost no business sector involvement. (last updated December 2011)
Enhance the management of Intellectual property Rights (IPRs)
Enhance the management of Intellectual property Rights (IPRs) at a pan-European level and agree a framework with emerging economies that would protect IP rights with the objective of boosting investment in, and deployment of, environmentally sound technologies.
ERT Comment
The December 2010 Commission proposal to proceed on the basis of enhanced cooperation is a welcome positive signal. This should be agreed and implemented urgently. (last updated 31/01/11)
Ensure reliable risk management
Ensure reliable risk management by establishing a framework for science-based assessment of the risk linked with new technologies and avoid the stifling of innovation through approaches designed to avoid risk. Such an approach requires, inter alia, the absolute independence of the European Commission’s future chief scientific officer.
ERT Comment
The Chief Scientific Officer has still not been appointed. The Resource Efficiency Roadmap calls for more substances to be added/banned under REACH without making reference to the principle of precaution. (last updated December 2011)