Research & Innovation

By Sebastian Baciu, Cecile Legris, Allegra Semenzato

At the EU level, all greenhouse gas emissions statistics point to the same problem: the transport sector is a huge emitter of CO2. However, new technology (e.g. electric cars) is enabling change. Therefore, it makes sense to ask what European policymakers can do to accelerate it.

Research and Innovation (R&I) are at the core of the European Green Deal. Without their contribution, the transition would be slow-paced. R&I are key drivers of transformative change by spurring innovation, deploying solutions, and engaging societies. For instance, through public-private partnerships, the European Union (EU) can deepen and speed up the green and ecological transitions while ensuring high-quality jobs and the quality of life of its citizens.

Within R&I for reaching net zero, two funding programs require special attention: Horizon Europe and LIFE. The former represents the most powerful R&I funding instrument of the EU contributing to fostering excellence in science, solutions to global challenges, and European innovation. Within Horizon Europe 2021-2027, at least 35% of the €95.5bn will be allocated to climate solutions. The latter began in 1992 and is specifically centered on co-financing projects related to climate action, environment and nature protection. The LIFE-funded Diademe project, for example, has been developed between 2016 and 2020 in three Italian cities, targeting the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Green Public Procurement Directive. Thanks to the EU contribution, this project led to saving 57% of energy consumption on average of the street lighting system, co-benefitting the quality of life of citizens and the protection of biodiversity. The LIFE program also addresses simultaneously social and environmental aspects as envisaged in the Doppleplus project (2016-2020, Tyrol). In line with the objective of moving towards a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050, Doppleplus has encouraged low-income households to engage in climate action together with developing their skills. Finally, Clinomics in Catalonia (2016-2019), an initiative which has contributed to the search for solutions for adapting local agriculture to environmental changes, also highlights LIFE’s aim to promote the dissemination of climate change knowledge along European networks.