Topics

This Societal Challenge is structured into six main research areas:

1. Fighting and Adapting to Climate Change

The goal of the Challenge is to develop innovative, cost-efficient and sustainable adapation and mitigation strategies for climate change, targeting both CO₂ and non-CO₂ greenhouse gases and aerosols. Better knowledge on climate-related risks, predictions and global, regional and local impacts of climate change on different policy areas will be developed in this research area.

2. Protecting the Environment, Sustainably Managing Natural Resources, Water, Biodiversity and Ecosystems

Proper tools and an enlarged knowledge base are needed for biodiversity, the functions of eco-systems and sustainable management of water resources and services in order to support the protection of natural resources.

3. Ensuring the Sustainable Supply of Non-energy and Non-agricultural Raw Materials

The limited supply of raw materials on a global level requires a sustainable use of resources in Europe. Projects about exploration, extraction, processing, re-use, recycling and recovery of raw materials and tools for environment friendly alternatives and substitutes for raw materials will be supported in this research area.

4. Enabling the Transition Towards a Green Economy and Society Through Eco-innovation

The transition towards a green economy will be promoted through eco-innovative technologies, processes, services and products. The programm "Eco-Innovation" was part of the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) programme in FP7.

5. Developing Comprehensive and Sustained Global Environmental Observation and Information Systems

New technologies, capabilities and data infrastructure for earth observation will be funded in this research area, which also supports the European COPERNICUS programme (former GMES).

6. Cultural Heritage

Climate change has a huge impact on the status of cultural heritage in Europe. The aim of this research area is to develop strategies, technologies, products and services for the preservation of European cultural heritage.

7. Other Actions

There are no specific research topics in this area, but a description of supporting  measures for international initiatives, where the European Commission takes part in, like the  "International Panel on Climate Change" (IPCC) or "Public Private Partnerships" and "Joint Programming Initiatives".

More detailed information on the specific research areas is provided in the Specific Programme.