International coordination is essential to addressing challenges including trade and development, security, climate change, migration and global finance. The EU-funded GLOBE project has identified major trends the EU should take into account for its future strategies in this arena. The work will help keep EU citizens and their interests at the heart of global governance for decades to come.
Essential services such as water, energy and transport are increasingly under pressure from climate change, cyberattack and their own growing complexity. The EU-funded KIOS Centre of Excellence, powered by young researchers, has been developing digital solutions that protect key services. The work will keep EU citizens safe while boosting the knowledge-based economy in Cyprus and beyond.
The shipping industry is responsible for 3% of global carbon emissions, putting it under the spotlight for environmental upgrades. Two game-changing vessel designs have now been produced with the help of EU funding, along with retrofit technologies for existing cruise ships and bulk carriers. Maritime sustainability is a key EU priority on the continent’s journey to slashing carbon emissions while creating opportunities for green economic growth and jobs.
Solar panels installed over traditional roofs can suffer from weather-related problems and compromise the roof construction. The EU-funded TilePlus project designed new roof tiles with embedded tough photovoltaic cells. This would allow millions of homes across Europe to produce their own energy.
Despite their vulnerability to climate change, island nations rely heavily on imported fossil fuels. The EU-funded NEEMO project aimed to boost research into electric mobility in Malta. Such initiatives are helping to develop green transport solutions for EU citizens living on islands and beyond.
Demand response programmes could bring European energy use down and benefit consumers, but their uptake has been slow. The EU-funded DRIMPAC project created a framework to ease this transition. The results could save costs and energy use, and help mitigate climate change
With the right innovations, the circular economy can contribute to economic growth while meeting sustainability ambitions. The EU-funded ReCiPSS project demonstrates how manufacturing can achieve this by adopting product-service systems. Moving industry from linear to circular models offers new business opportunities, while minimising waste and environmental damage.
Next-generation renewable energy technologies can struggle to move from concept to the market. The EU-funded DTOceanPlus project developed a series of open-source software tools to reduce the risks and costs associated with ocean tech development. The tools are already giving a boost to developers across the sector, supporting the EU’s transition away from fossil fuels.
The energy crisis has highlighted the importance of greater heating efficiency. The EU-funded RELaTED project showed how lower temperatures in district heating systems combined with heat pumps can reduce costs while still keeping homes and commercial premises warm. The findings can boost sustainable energy production, reduce energy waste, and provide cost-effective heating to consumers.
Catalytic reactions are crucial for energy conversion and the production of chemicals, but their operation is limited by slow heat transfer. The EU-funded INTENT project developed new reactor designs with improved potential for heat transfer. The research and results will help in the transition of Europe’s energy sector away from fossil fuels.
