In the project “Roadmap 2020”, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, seven fields of environmental policy were investigated in order to explore to which extent research and development activities will be able to foster future environmental innovations. The purpose of the project was the identification of strategic options for research and development and their transfer into practice in the field of environmental technologies by 2020. The results were gained by literature and Internet research, an expert opinion survey and four workshops on different topics.
Posts Tagged ‘biology’
EFP Brief No. 161: Roadmap Environmental Technologies 2020 Integrated Water Management
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011EFP Brief No. 152: Combining ICT and Cognitive Science: Opportunities and Risks
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011Many experts think that the technological convergence of previously separated sciences like nanotechnology, biotechnology, information and communication technologies and cognitive sciences will have a deep, long-term impact on society and economy. Key actors in society need to become aware of the challenges linked to converging applications (CA) and take decisions in support of developing them. By analysing CA-related opportunities and risks at a very early stage, we hope to contribute to reducing possible adverse effects in the future.
EFP Brief No. 114: The Singularity Scenario
Friday, May 20th, 2011Although the term ‘Singularity’ or ‘Technological singularity’ has already infatuated both the scientific and the science fiction com-munity alike throughout the 20th century, there is reason enough to report about the ongoing activities in this area. So far it is possible to distinguish between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related issues and the prospective fusion of emerging technologies such as nano-, bio-, information and cognitive technologies (NBIC) – also referred to as converging technologies. It is assumed that there will be an immense technological and consequently economic shift once those technologies surpass the boundaries of human intelligence in the 21st century.
EFP Brief No. 100: Potential for Biomimetics in Austria
Friday, May 20th, 2011The field of biomimetics (biomimicry, bionics) has in recent years gained scientific acceptance and standing, and has become an innovative research area at academic institutions and in industry worldwide. Many promising solutions for challenging complexity and future-oriented technologies with a wide range of applications have been inspired by nature. This study aimed to investigate the cur-rent status and level of activities in the field of biomimetics in Austria and to identify its potential for the future nationwide.
EFP Brief No. 98: Technology and Innovation in Flanders
Friday, May 20th, 2011Knowledge and innovation are the key factors in ensuring Flanders’ future prosperity and welfare. The government, companies and knowledge institutions must join forces to create focus and critical mass in strategic areas that strengthen Flanders’ competitive position and offer potentially substantial social benefits. Foresight studies are an excellent means of linking science and technology with innovation in industry and society while at the same time creating a decision-supporting framework for regional innovation policy and its relationship with regional economic developments.
EFP Brief No. 95: ICT and Robotics in Agriculture and the Related Industries – a European Approach
Friday, May 20th, 2011A Collaborative Working Group (CWG) under the Standing Committee for Agricultural Research (SCAR) has been formed to raise awareness on the research and development within the area of ICT and Robotics and to advise the European Commission. The CWG will assist in putting this field of research on the agenda in a European context as well as creating consensus among the most important stakeholders. This is done through dialogue and increased member state collaboration achieving synergy and creating optimal conditions for further development.
EFP Brief No. 88: Summit for the Future 2006
Friday, May 20th, 2011The ‘Summit for the Future’ is organized on an annual basis by The Club of Amsterdam. It brings together international Thought Leaders to discuss significant, global challenges and opportunities. In 2006 it focused on the subject of risk and the role of risk in society, innovation and global growth. Without risk taking there is no progress, no growth and no prosperity. The Summit provided an occasion to reflect upon the role of risk in enterprise and society, on how the global spectrum of risk is changing, and on the acquisition of new tools and thinking to harness risk as a force for growth in the future.
EFP Brief No. 74: Ukrainian STI 2025
Friday, May 20th, 2011The key objective of the Ukrainian national ‘foresight-type’ program is to form priorities in STI – Science, Technology and Innovation with long-term (15-20 years) and medium-term (3-5 years) perspectives and to determine the most promising areas for R+D, which could receive state financial support. The second main goal of the program is to create a background for a permanent system of state-sponsored foresight studies in the country.
EFP Brief No. 42: Emerging S+T Priorities in the Triadic Regions
Friday, May 6th, 2011The objective of this Platform Foresight project is the analysis of emerging science and technology priorities in public research policies of the European countries, the US and Japan. The aim is to provide the European Commission and the member states with policy recommendations as to become leaders in these emerging technologies.
EFMN Brief No. 42 – Emerging S+T Priorities in the Triadic Regions
