Innovate UK Future Worlds Event - Material World – Ewa Bloch

1. European priorities for resource efficiency
Templepatrick, 24th
March 2015

2. 2
9.5 billion by 2050
1 planet

4. The long-term vision
In 2050, we live well, within the planet’s ecological limits.
Our prosperity and healthy environment stem from an innovative,
circular economy where nothing is wasted and where natural
resources are managed sustainably, and biodiversity is protected,
valued and restored in ways that enhance our society’s resilience.
Our low-carbon growth has long been decoupled from resource use,
setting the pace for a safe and sustainable global society.
 At least 60% of the overall Horizon 2020 budget (€70.2 bn) should be linked to sustainable
development;
 Climate related expenditure should exceed 35% of overall Horizon 2020
 UK National priorities are aligned with the European priorities
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5. Key priority areas
Circular economy
- waste
- water
- raw materials
Climate services
Nature based solutions
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6. Waste is not a waste – it’s a resource
Rationale:
 The EU population throws away 2.7 billion tonnes of waste every year – 98 million are
hazardous. The most comes from construction and demolition waste, but proportion
of electronics, plastics and food waste is also significant
 The waste industry is a major opportunity for European society and economy, with a
potential to reinforce EU position as a world market leader in recycling, recovery, and
reuse
 Any meaningful activities need to cover the whole production and consumption cycle,
and involve a wide range of stakeholders for more sustainable consumption behaviour
and lifestyle change
Focus on:
 Systemic approach, which looks at a wide range of combined, integrated technology
and non-technology solutions, also including business models, new supply networks
and chains, social innovation, new modes of production and consumption, and new
financing options 6

7. The value of water
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Rationale:
 Water resources are under pressure from climate change, urbanisation, pollution,
overexploitation of fresh resources and increasing competition between various user
groups
 Improvement of the state of water resources (quality and quantity) will trigger significant
economic benefits. Europe has a strong potential to become world leader in water
innovation – 9.000 SMEs active in the water sector, 600.000 direct jobs in water utilities.
Just 1% increase of the rate of growth could create up to 20.000 jobs.
 The world market for drinking and waste water €250bn in 2008, investments over €33bn
per annum. The cost of repairing damages (floods and droughts) is x6 higher than the cost
of adaptation.
Focus on:
 Thematic priorities: water reuse and recycling, water and waste water treatment (incl.
recovery of resources), water and energy integration, flood and drought risk management,
and the role of ecosystem services in the provision of water related services.
 Horizontal priorities: water governance, decision support system and monitoring, and
financing for innovation.

8. Raw materials
Rationale:
 To promote sustainable access to, production and processing of raw materials to ensure
significant reduction in resource use and a secure and sustainable supply of non-energy,
non-agricultural raw materials for industrial purposes, including critical raw materials
Focus on:
 The entire raw materials value chain – from sustainable exploration, extraction,
processing and recycling, as well as substitution, including bio-based materials
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9. Climate services
Rationale:
 Building foundations for developing European climate services
Climate services: demand-driven services for both mitigation and adaptation to climate change, for a
range of end users, including businesses, public decision-makers and policy-makers, and citizens.
Building the ability and capacity to translate, transform and use climate-related data into customised
products and practical applications, covering the links between physical, chemical, biology, social,
gender, health and economic aspects.
 Supporting climate policy through developing strategic capabilities in climate projection,
prospective economic analysis, international cooperation and preparing for future IPCC
reports
Focus on:
Translating data into usable information, developing the capacity of end users to understand
what information they need in order to help design new solutions for climate change
mitigation and adaptation
Turning climate change into a business opportunity, in particular working with urban
areas/cities to look at the different subsystems – energy, water, material flows, transport,
socio-cultural system, knowledge base and labour market. 9

10. Managing natural resources
Rationale
 To establish Europe as a leader in innovation through nature-based solutions (solutions
inspired and supported by nature, while maintaining and/or enhancing natural capital) for
improving our economic, social and environmental resilience
 Focus on urban areas to complement existing European investments in Smart Cities
Focus on:
 Integrating nature-based solutions into urban areas
 For example: solutions to enhance surface water retention from storm water or flooding
can also help preserve biodiversity, improve air quality, mitigate heat island effect, and
provide health and recreational benefits
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11. • Business-led innovation
• Involvement of a range of organisations (industry, academic, public, end users)
• Market and commercial focus
• International collaboration to address European/international issues by combining
different disciplines and expertise
• Propose innovative solutions to the defined challenges
• Flexibility to involve a range of disciplines to solve the challenges
• Opportunity to pilot and demonstrate solutions (including cities as living labs)
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Key aspects

12. • Feedback to/from EC on work programmes
• Clarification of documentation and rules
• Guidance on choosing thematic priorities and instruments
• Scope queries with Project Officers
• Advice on administrative procedures and contractual issues
• Support with the application process (workshops and 1-2-1)
• Feedback on draft proposals
• Assistance with partner search
– through theme specific databases or across the network of other Member State
NCPs (https://www.nks-umwelt.de/request-offer-list)
– through network support (EEN and KTN)
• Some feedback on results 12
NCP support

13. Thank you for your attention
Ewa Bloch
UK National Contact Point
Climate change, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials
Innovate UK
E: ewa.bloch@innovateuk.gov.uk
Register for regular updates on www.h2020uk.org
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