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
The Europe 2020 Strategy proposal includes public procurement as a driver in some policy areas, including 'green public procurement' and 'modernised public procurement'. Procurement of completely new technologies must form an important part of the R&D and innovation agenda (procurement must clearly be used as one tool to drive innovation). All such procurement initiatives should be based on sound scientific analysis. (last updated 01/06/10)
Provide EU funding for European ‘lighthouse projects’
Provide EU funding for European ‘lighthouse projects’ to support early demonstration and deployment.
ERT Comment
The Europe 2020 Strategy proposes 'European Innovation Partnerships'. It will be crucial to ensure funding for this under FP8. (last updated 01/06/10)
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
It is too early to assess progress on this recommendation since publication of the ERT Vision. However, the development of EIT in its current form is on track and the KICs have been established according to the time plan. This is a positive development. (last updated 01/06/10)
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 discussions on the Digital Agenda focus on the right priorities, and are full of good ideas. Practical steps towards implementation of the new European Digital Agenda are now crucial. (last updated 01/06/10)
Reduce CO2 emissions
Reduce CO2 emissions by using all available technologies, including ‘green ICT’.
ERT Comment
Green ICT is high on the EU agenda and especially driven by DG Infso and DG Energy. However, national implementation is still too slow to drive the change required. (last updated 01/06/10)
Boost productivity
Boost productivity by putting in place policy frameworks fostering private investment in broadband networks, digital services and applications.
ERT Comment
The Europe 2020 Strategy proposal emphasises investment, but does not explicitly link ICT to producticity gains. While early statements are encouraging, further progress is required. (last updated 01/06/10)
Add to societal well-being
Add to societal well-being by using state-of-the-art technologies in health, education and transport.
ERT Comment
Early developments on the Digital Agenda are encouraging but there is little progress on ensuring an EU-wide approach. (last updated 01/06/10)
Create a Digital Single Market by 2015,
Create a Digital Single Market by 2015, with all related efforts fostering private investments.
ERT Comment
There is a vivid discussion on the Digital Single Market, with encouraging progress. (last updated 01/06/10)
Develop a new approach to EU R&D funding:
Develop a new approach to EU R&D funding:
This overall assessment is based on the following four recommendations.
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
The Europe 2020 Strategy proposes 'European Innovation Partnerships' to speed up the development of new technologies. (last updated 01/06/10)
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
While the need for improved coherence is increasingly recognised, much more work is necessary to bring about concrete improvements. (last updated 01/06/10)
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 importance of this issue has been recognised by policymakers. ERT is hopeful that this will be strongly reflected in the discussions on an FP7 successor programme. (last updated 01/06/10)
Secure Joint Programming in research
secure Joint Programming in research, as proposed by the European Commission.
ERT Comment
The Europe 2020 Strategy indicates that the Commission will enhance joint programming with Member States and regions. (last updated 01/06/10)
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
Europe 2020 proposes a single EU Patent, a specialised Patent Court, and a modernised framework for copyright and trademarks. The Commission has already announced that several proposals will be made. On ACTA, a constructive dialogue has been initiated by making the draft agreement public. (last updated 01/06/10)
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
There appears to be little progress in this area. (last updated 01/06/10)