March-April 2009
Newsletter
Eco-innovation under the CIP
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In relation to the topic of climate change funding offered to projects in the field of eco-innovation are of great importance. Eco-innovation forms part of the EU’s Competitiveness & Innovation Programme. Eco-innovation means all forms of innovation activities resulting in or aimed at significantly improving environmental protection. Eco-innovation includes new production processes, new products or services, and new management and business methods, the use or implementation of which is likely to prevent or substantially reduce the risks to the environment, pollution and any other negative impact of the use of resources throughout the lifecycle of related activities. The world market of environmental products and services is growing. According to a OECD study, in the EU-25 alone, goods and services provided by eco-industries are estimated to represent around 2.2% of the EU-25 GDP. Clearly, eco-innovation represents a key opportunity to establish Europe’s leading role to overcome the world’s sustainability challenges, and a sizeable business opportunity that can make Europe’s economy even stronger and more competitive in the future. The programme supports eco-innovative projects in different sectors which aim at the prevention or reduction of environmental impacts or which contribute to the optimal use of resources. However, more specific priorities are defined in the work programme each year considering its important environmental impact. Relating back to the previous topic – cities and climate change – there was a priority area in the 2008 work programme that offered funding for innovation solutions in the building and construction sector in the following fields: » Innovative building processes or products that reduce environmental impact and/or support a rational use of natural resources; » Green building techniques that leverage the use of recycled materials and renewable sources; » New water-saving systems such as rainwater collection, grey water use, green roofs; » Sustainable construction, maintenance, repair, retrofitting or demolition techniques.
» http://ec.europa.eu/environment/etap/ecoinnovation/call_en.htm
Content
Introduction Eco-innovation under the CIP Cities and climate change Funding sources Upcomming events Deadlines
Introduction
In the previous issue of the Europa Media newsletter we have written about the crisis affecting the economy of the world and also the European Union, and the importance of creativity and innovation in improving Europe’s position in the economy of the world. The economic crisis can partly be attributed to the overconsumption of the people of the world, purchasing more and more using credits that they cannot repay, thus producing a bad-credit spiral. Another worrying phenomenon, that is resulting also from the exessive human behaviour and the use of fossile energy resources is the acceleration of the change of the climate. According to scientists climate change is of crucial importance for the future of mankind, and urgent measures are necessary for reducing the effects of CO2 emission and other polluting factors. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has established that global warming must be kept below 2°C to avoid catastrophic and irreversible consequences for the planet. Climate change and measures slowing down global warming and its effects are found among the main priorities of the EU, setting the objective of slashing greenhouse-gas emissions and boosting renewable energies by 20% by 2020. In this issue of the newsletter we will talk about measures and suppor t in this field, specially concentrating on cities and funding related to eco-innovation, energy efficiency of cities. Enjoy Reading! The Europa Media Team
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March-April 2009
Cities and climate change
Cities contribute largely to the acceleration of climate change, but can also play an important role in finding innovative solutions for reducing CO2 emission, and increasing the use of renewable energies, improving energy efficiency. Nowadays the world is urbanising at a fast pace. According to the UN, only 29% of its population lived in cities in 1950, but the figure presently stands at around 50% and is predicted to rise to 70% by 2050. In the EU as well, urban areas are home to 80% of EU citizens and are responsible for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions, thus they play a key role in fighting climate change. However, cities’ access to funding for green policies is proving a major stumbling block.1 Checking the related EU policies, it can be seen that the EU acknowledges that cities, which consume a disproportionate share of natural resources, are key to solving global climate problems. They are uniquely placed to implement effective climate policies as they have the capacity to plan and are in charge of key elements of environmental infrastructure, including transport, water, energy and waste. Moreover, they own a large number of public buildings, where energy-efficiency measures can make a real difference. The role of city councils is also recognized. They are the closest to the citizen among public administrative bodies, therefore they have the best chance of steering consumer behaviour towards less wasteful energy use and raising public awareness of energy efficiency measures. Measures that Can be taken at the level Of Cities:
» Concentrated actions taken draft recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive that buildings are a key matter of competence for local authorities and crucial to meeting climate objectives at the lowest cost to society. » Decentralised energy: Local energy production is another area where cities could make a real contribution to the fight against climate change. A significant amount of the energy generated in large centralised power plants g e t s l o s t w h e n t r a n s p o r te d over long distances, and the most innovative cities are now exploring ways of producing energy where it is consumed. » Waste-to- energy: Innovative te c hnolo g ies are also being developed to manage waste by turning it into energy. The EU’s new framework directive promotes the use of waste as a secondary resource and introduced EU-wide
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recycling target. Some companies are now developing innovative technologies to produce renewable energy from household waste, which would power cities while reducing their landfill waste and emissions and increasing recycling. » Greener transport: Road traffic in urban areas is the biggest single source of CO2 emissions in the EU. With 4.3 million extra cars taken to Europe’s roads each year, CO2 releases from transport could be 40% higher in 2010 than in 1990. Clean fuels and hybrid technologies for city buses, rubbish collectors and other public vehicles can provide further emission reductions.
by major cities: Cities have been
slow to take action, though, but they are now starting to rise up to their responsibilities. The Greater London Authority announced in early 2005 that it was developing the first climate adaptation strategy for a world city. London has been pioneering a congestion charge on vehicles entering Central London during peak hours. According to the authorities, since the introduction of the policy in 2003, 70,000 fewer cars enter the charging zone every day. At the same time, the volume of passengers travelling by bus has risen by 6% during charging hours. » Energy- ef ficient building: O ne of t he c or ner sto nes of greener cities is reducing their energy consumption, as buildings represent over 40% of the EU’s total energy consumption. The Commission acknowledges in its
If cities are to make progress in combating climate change, sufficient funding will have to be made available.
Source: www.euractiv.com
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March-April 2009
Hungary, 6-10 July 2009
Funding sources 2
The EU does not have direct competence in urban affairs, but its cohesion policies and sectoral policies in the areas of transport, environment and social affairs, for example, can have a significant impact on cities and their capacity to deal with these challenges. Cities may receive direct financial assistance supporting their efforts in the field of CO2 emission, the use of renewable energy sources, and energy efficiency. However, they can play an active role in promoting all kind of funding possibilities among educational organisations, research institutions, entreprises and citizens, etc. The EU offers many different kinds of funding for environmental and energy related projects – mainly through “calls for proposals” and public tenders:
EuropEan SummEr acadEmy
One-week exclusive training
Energy & transport programmes
Intelligent Energy Europe – Part of the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP). It covers up to 75% of the costs for projects promoting energy efficiency and renewables, and the setting up of local or regional energy agencies.
Environmental programmes
Operating grants for European environment NGOs
Research & innovation programmes
7th Framework Programme for Research and Development
UniqUe UsefUl Understandable
» http://ec.europa.eu/ environment/ngos/ index_en.htm
» http://cordis.europa.eu/ home_en.html
The entire Project Lifecycle... › Project Idea & Call Identification › Proposal Development & Consortium Building › Proposal Evaluation & Negotiations › Consortium and Grant Agreement › Kick-off meeting & Project Management › Progress and final reporting › Financial Audits
» http://ec.europa.eu/ environment/life/index.htm
LIFE - EU environment and conservation projects
Opportunities in eco-innovation (CIP) Boosting competitiveness Marco Polo green transport while reducing pollution programme - Funds projects and using natural resources to get freight traffic off the sustainably. » http://ec.europa.eu/cip/ roads, using rail, ships and index_en.htm river » http://ec.europa.eu/ Subsidies from EU governtransport/marcopolo/home/ ments for district heating, home_en.htm waste management, Global energy efficiency environmental studies and renewable energy and adjustments to meet fund - Aims to mobilise standards. private investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in developing countries and economies in transition.
» http://ec.europa.eu/energy/ intelligent/call_for_proposals/ index_en.htm » http://ec.europa.eu/ environment/jrec/ energy_fund_en.htm
» http://ec.europa.eu/cip/ index_en.htm
Competitiveness & Innovation Programme 2007-13 (CIP) – Supports innovation by small firms – encouraging better take-up and use of modern technologies, renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.
Practical knowledge from exPerienced Professionals For further information please visit our website: http://www.eutrainingsite.com/ open_details.php?id=58
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http://ec.europa.eu/climateaction/grants_funding/index_en.htm
“Spend a week with the experts.”
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March-April 2009
Upcoming events
Research Connection 2009 conference May 7, 2009 – Prague, Czech Republic
Upcoming events
Health Conference 2009 July 9, 2009 – Brussels, Belgium
» For further information, please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2009/rtd-2009/ index_en.cfm
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research is organising the conference ‘Research Connection 2009 - networking our way to a research future’ in Prague, Czech Republic, on 7 and 8 May. The event is intended for scientists, entrepreneurs and researchers looking to learn more about successful EU-funded research and funding opportunities and to meet reliable partners for new projects. A variety of parallel sessions will cover the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and its Thematic Areas. In addition, selected EU-funded projects will be exhibited in order to promote the networking and integration of research activities in Europe.
» http://ec.europa.eu/health-eu/youth/conference/index_en.htm
The two day conference on Youth and Health, organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the European Youth Forum and other youth organisations will be opened by Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou, on 9 July 2009 in Brussels. The conference aims primarily to listen to young people and to involve them in the decision making process about their health. It also aims at generating commitment from stakeholders to improve the health of young people. About 400 people are expected to attend. This includes young people from across Europe, representatives from youth organisations, health professionals working with and for young people, national and EU Institutions.
“Cities and Climate Change: Responding to an Urgent Agenda” June 28-30, 2009 – Marseille, France and special day: July 1, 2009
International project financing workshop, brokerage & networking event Comprehensive overview of current and upcomming project financing schemes and best practices in Europe: how to secure
5th
» http://www.urs2009.net/
The topic for the 5th Urban Research Symposium is Cities and Climate Change: Responding to the Urgent Agenda. At a time when climate change is a major priority for the international community, this Symposium aims at pushing forward the research agenda on climate change from a city’s perspective. Specifically, the main questions will be structured around the impacts of city and urban growth on climate change; measuring and anticipating the consequences of climate change on urban quality of life, city assets, and local and national economies; and assessing alternatives to increase the resilience of cities and related costs and incentives required for successful implementation.
optimal financing for your renewable energy project? Project financing workshop and consultation
21-22 sePtember 2009
Hotel st george corintHia
st. JUlians, malta
For further information please visit our website: www.eutrainingsite.com Deadlines Call
ENERGY CALL PART 2 Energy Second Generation Biofuels - EU Brazil
Identifier
FP7-ENERGY-2009-2 FP7-ENERGY-2009-BRAZIL
Specific Programme
Cooperation Cooperation
Theme
Energy Energy
Deadline
29 April 2009 05 May 2009
The LIFE+ 2009 call for proposals will be published on 15 May 2009, with a deadline of 15 September for submitting proposals to national authorities. CIP – Eco-innovation: Next call will be launched in April 2009. If you would like to contribute to our next issue of the Europa Media newsletter, please send an email to us at: magazine@europamedia.org! We always like to hear from our readership! 4