An independent report titled Addressing European Research and Innovation Challenges for System Transitions in Energy and Mobility was recently released, offering expert recommendations for advancing clean energy and mobility in the context of European research and innovation (R&I).
The report envisions future systems in line with the EU’s social, economic and environmental objectives, including becoming climate-neutral by 2050. The report outlines nine key innovation pathways aimed at realizing this vision, which range from integrating systems with digital technologies and decarbonising electricity, to fostering social innovation.
The report also addresses key challenges affecting energy and mobility systems as well as the macro-level contextual changes they stem from, such as the need to deploy low-carbon solutions, the global innovation race, rising geopolitical tensions, and social debates around transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
The report then outlines policy objectives for the sector. Such recommendations include:
- Increasing public R&I support strategically
- Finding a new balance between the protection of existing assets and the creation of new ones
- Aligning basic and applied research, and deployment
- Taking specific R&I actions regarding social innovations
- Considering institutional changes
- Fostering the contributions of new stakeholders
The independent experts underscore throughout the report that European R&I actions have a vital role to play in enabling progress that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable and that such actions need to take into account the rapidly changing global context.
To watch a recording of an event that took place following the release of this report, please visit the EU’s event page.