Launch of an European expert group on the 'Follow-up to Rio+20, notably the Sustainable Development Goals'

The Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission launched on 1 March 2015 the work of an independent expert group on the ‘Follow-up to Rio+20, notably the Sustainable Development Goals' to provide advice on the role of science, research, technology and innovation for implementing the sustainability agenda agreed at Rio+20 and in particular the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the potential of research and innovation cooperation in this context^[1].

Sustainable development and climate change are European Union’s overarching objectives set by the Lisbon Treaty. The Union's new funding programme for research and innovation, Horizon 2020, set a target of at least 60% of its budget to support sustainable development and of 35% for climate change.

The Commission Communication 'A Global Partnership for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development after 2015' of 5 February 2015 highlights the important role of science, technology and innovation for the implementation of the vision for the world beyond 2015 and the SDGs, in Europe and beyond. The work of the Group will also serve as input in view of the United Nations Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda and the future implementation of the SDGs.

The Group will elaborate a reference framework that positions the EU research and innovation policy within the international sustainability agenda and the implementation of the SDGs in Europe and beyond. It will also formulate suggestions for a possible engagement in relevant follow up actions, including international initiatives and partnerships in the field of science, technology and innovation, in the short and mid-term.

The European Commission will host the kick-off meeting of the Group in Brussels on Friday, 6 March 2015.

The Chairperson of the Expert Group is Professor Enrico Giovannini from Italy.Dr Ingeborg Niestroy from Germany will act as the rapporteur. The other members of the Expert Group are Dr Måns Nilsson from Sweden, Dr Françoise Roure from France and Mr Michael Spanos from Greece.

The outcomes of the group will also feed from a research and innovation perspective the discussion on sustainability and international cooperation in the context of the European Year for Development.

[1]Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2014-2015 for 'Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials', pages 79-80.