Written by Vasco Guedes Ferreira.
How can the EU develop an innovation ecosystem involving our seas, oceans, and inland waters? And what about the effects of climate-related dynamics, biodiversity, energy efficiency, food, renewable energy and industrial competitiveness on the water, marine and maritime sectors? These questions were posed and answered at a European Parliament Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) workshop organised on 17 April 2024.
Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany), the STOA Chair, was joined by STOA Member Pernille Weiss (EPP, Denmark) in welcoming the participants, and setting the stage for a comprehensive discussion on a future Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC), proposed in the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) Strategic Innovation Agenda for 2021‑2027. According to Christian Ehler, the EIT is the right EU-level instrument to create an innovation and education ecosystem in the water, marine, and maritime sectors. Establishing a KIC (usually referred to as the ‘Water KIC’) would aim to strengthen innovation ecosystems and accelerate the uptake of new technologies. This pan-European, multi-disciplinary community would promote the global competitiveness of European fresh water, marine and maritime science and technology, bringing innovative projects to market that address urgent societal and sustainability challenges.
External experts Siri Granum Carson and Sveinung Sægrov from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and Richard Sempere from Aix-Marseille University presented the findings of an ongoing STOA study into the role of technology and innovation in the fields of water and oceans and on the usefulness and establishment of a ‘Water KIC’. They underscored the need for sustainable and coherent political initiatives at all levels to tackle the challenges in these sectors. The experts emphasised the importance of a more innovative public-private and cross-sector cooperation, with innovation, education and training playing a critical role in scarcity and safety, water efficiency, ocean conservation, water utility operations, monitoring and treatment, maritime sector data and analytics.
The workshop featured two panels with key stakeholders. The goal was to gather feedback on the preliminary study findings and collect additional insights for its finalisation.
The first panel focused on ‘Building innovation ecosystems’. The panellists included Manuel Irun Molina, EIT Liaison Officer, Luca Perego, Head of Unit ‘Innovation and EIT’ at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Education and Culture, and Richard Zaltzman, CEO of EIT Food. The panel discussion highlighted the importance of building robust innovation ecosystems to address the major economic, environmental, and societal challenges in the water, marine, and maritime sectors. Luca Perego presented the current state of play of the ongoing ex-ante analysis evaluating the relevance of the ‘Water KIC’. Manuel Irun Molina of EIT reinforced the support provided for the launch of new KICs, and the best practice and coordination initiatives between the different communities already established. Richard Zaltzman from EIT Food reinforced the idea of exploiting synergies between KICs, while underpinning the need to focus on specific key priority areas to ensure effective management of the day-to-day activities of KICs.
The second panel focused on ‘Attracting private investment for education and innovation’. The panellists included Durk Krol, Executive Director of Water Europe, Kestutis Sadauskas, European Commission Deputy Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in charge of Mission Ocean, Margherita Cappelletto, Coordinator of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, and Joaquim Poças Martins – entrepreneur and Professor of the University of Porto. The panel discussion emphasised the importance of attracting private investment to foster education and innovation in the water, marine, and maritime sectors. Durk Krol linked current EU industrial initiatives on chips and hydrogen with significant water needs, and consequently competing uses for water. Joaquim Poças Martins talked about two areas where a Water KIC could have considerable impact: water utilities and hydrogen production. Kestutis Sadauskas highlighted the current underfunding of the blue economy goals, and the importance of attracting private funding and the efforts and different instruments the European Commission is using to advance innovation in these sectors. He launched some ideas for consideration in the next political cycle – blue bonds, for example.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Pernille Weiss, reinforcing the case for strengthening the network of stakeholders active in these fields and ultimately contributing to the Commission’s ongoing work and the implementation of the EIT strategic agenda.
The workshop was a significant step towards understanding the potential strategic value of a ‘Water KIC’ and its role in addressing the major economic, environmental, and societal challenges in the water, marine, and maritime sectors. It underscored the importance of building robust innovation ecosystems and attracting private investment to foster education and innovation in these sectors, and will contribute to the finalisation of the ongoing STOA study.
Your opinion counts for us. To let us know what you think, get in touch via stoa@europarl.europa.eu.
Event recording:
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