The European Commission (EC) has launched a public consultation on the development of an Integrated Research, Innovation and Competitiveness Strategy aimed at facilitating the EU’s transition to a sustainable, competitive, energy-efficient and low-carbon economy.
The Commission is inviting all stakeholders and interested parties, including EU citizens, private and public organisations to share their views on how to achieve the EU’s energy and climate targets, as well as sector-specific research, development and innovation goals needed for the transformation.
The strategy is linked to the implementation of the Energy Union Communication, which called for more research and innovation to ensure that the energy transition happens via modern, user-friendly, safe, sustainable and secure solutions to the benefit of EU citizens and businesses.
Also, EC states, the commitments taken at the COP21 international climate conference in Paris in December 2015 reinforce the need to step up efforts for reaching agreed climate targets.
Carlos Moedas , European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: “Research and innovation are important to every part of the Energy Union strategy. With a comprehensive, integrated strategy that enables quick uptake of new technology and innovation by the markets, Europe can keep its leadership in developing competitive low-carbon solutions, improve our quality of life and create jobs and growth.”
The consultation will run for 12 weeks, ending May 31, 2016, and its findings will feed into the integrated Research, Innovation and Competitiveness strategy to be presented at the end of 2016, EC informed.