Millions of litres of water are consumed daily for industrial processes, forming a key impediment to the circular economy in Europe. To tackle this, the EU-funded ULTIMATE project developed a ‘water-smart industrial symbiosis’ concept. This effort led to new technologies and processes to extract clean water, energy and valuable materials from wastewater.
Half of the world’s population lives in cities, and this figure is growing. Delivering water and sewage services in urban areas continues to be a significant challenge, especially in the face of climate change. Digital tools developed by the EU-funded DWC project are already being used to maintain Europe’s commitment to high-quality water infrastructure.
The intricate relationship between mental states and economic decisions has yet to be fully explored. The EU-funded IBEP project set out to bridge this gap with a fusion of economics, psychiatry and practical philosophy. Their objective was to inform policies that enhance individual well-being, productivity and overall socio-economic development.
Inside Europe’s bustling seaports lies a wealth of untapped data. Despite digitalisation, much of this information still goes unused. The EU-funded DataPorts project is an initiative focused on leveraging Europe’s maritime data to revolutionise port operations and enhance efficiency.
By 2050, the global population will soar to 9 billion, with three quarters of this number living in urban areas. Pressure on ecosystems due to population growth, urbanisation and climate change will reach its peak. The EU-funded project ECORISK2050 set out to tackle the daunting task of future environmental risk management of chemicals in the face of global climate change.
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.
Increasing demand for data has pushed the GÉANT research and education network to its limits. In response, the EU-funded GN4-3N project undertook the most significant restructuring of the backbone network in a decade. As a result, citizens in Europe and beyond are benefiting from faster and more reliable connectivity.
Miniature medical devices have the potential to screen, monitor, diagnose and treat a range of body functions, conditions and diseases. But implanting these devices into the body requires safe, non-toxic materials. The biocompatible materials developed by the EU-funded BioWings project could open the door to a new era of medical innovation for EU citizens and the world.
In disaster situations, emergency teams can be hampered by confusion and a lack of communication. To address this, EU-funded researchers have developed new drone-based technology that provides situational awareness in real time. This will give first responders valuable information that can save lives.
A series of crises has pushed apart the EU and its citizens. Rather than becoming disillusioned, citizens have increasingly high expectations for the EU and are looking for ways to become more involved. The EU-funded RECONNECT project has developed policy proposals, tools and solutions that can help improve the relationship between the EU and those it represents.
