EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

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• EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
• -
• The next step towards a green revolution?

Timo Makela Director, Directorate G, DG
Environment
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• ONLY ONE EARTH

EU 2.5 Earths
US 5 Earths
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Climate change

• Greenhouse gas emissions from 2.5 to 3-fold
  increase by 2050
• Reduction need more than 50

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Biodiversity and natural resources

• Natural resource extraction up to 5 times by
  2050.
• Ecological footprint in developed world 2.5 5.0
  earths
• Extinction of species from 50 to 1000 times
  faster than natural processes.

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The challenge

• Towards an energy and resource
• efficient economy
• Reduce environmental stress in growing economy
• Transfer environmental challenges into economic
  opportunities

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Global opportunities

• 2 million new jobs in EU in the renewable energy
  sector alone by 2020
• EU global market share above 30 in environmental
  goods and services
• Positive trade balance
• Cleantech VC climbed from 8 (2003) of all VC
  investment to 15 (2006) in Europe

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Is the pace of green innovation sufficient?
Total no. of patents
Source OECD Environmental Outlook 2030, 2008
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Emerging technologies Opportunities

• Micro-organisms used in waste wastewater
  treatment
• Nanotechnology in solar panels
• In Japan 20 of biotechnology applications sold
  are industrial-environmental applications
• Extensive use of ICT in environmental management

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Opportunities in practice

• Eco-refurbishment

• Cut heating cooling costs 80

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Opportunities in practice

• Wolseley Sustainable Building Center

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Opportunities in practice

• Ertex-solar 2008 Ebae winner in product category

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Opportunities in practice

• Bio-degradable bottles already available

(Belu UK)
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ETAP for emerging technologies

• Improving market conditions
• Getting from research to market
• Acting globally
• Promoting innovation in promising areas
• Lead Market in Waste Recycling
• Lead Market for Bio-based products
• Funding for RD and technology commercialization
  (CIP)

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Emerging technologies Risks

• Overall effects in many areas uncertain,
• Moral and ethical dillemas
• Insufficient knowledge base

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EU approach Safe, integrated and responsible
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Precautionary principle
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Dialogue with citizens and stakeholders

• Trust and transparency
• Platforms for dialogue

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Key issues for this forum

• Participatory process
• Flexibility and robustness
• Confidence
• Identification of roles
• Avoid drawing quick conclusions

INNOVATE!
But first and foremost
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European Commission DG Environment
Thank you
http//ec.europa.eu/environment