Accelerating the green transition for a sustainable Europe
At European level, research and innovation funding is currently being prepared for the period from 2028. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is providing impetus in the field of sustainability research. These contributions are intended to be incorporated into the development of the successor program to Horizon Europe.
Under the title "Accelerating the green transistion – Research for a competitive and resilient Europe within the Earth system boundaries", the recently published focus paper highlights sustainability research as a key driver of the green transformation. It discusses the structures and instruments that can maximize the impact of research and innovation activities and effectively support the transformation process toward sustainability. Furthermore, it outlines research needs across nine priority areas that future-oriented EU research funding should address:
- Sound Earth system governance
- Shaping transition in a pluralistic society in a social and democratic way
- Energy technologies and systems of the future
- Regional and global greenhouse gas management as a contribution to climate protection and nature conservation
- Adapting to changing climate conditions and increasing resilience
- Sustainable urban and regional development and mobility
- Circular, bio-based and sustainable economy
- Multifunctional land use for food security, biodiversity and climate protection
- Using and protecting water bodies and water sustainably