Protecting and restoring the integrity of ecosystems and their capacity to deliver a wide range of essential services is fundamental to achieving the European Green Deal objectives. Avoiding loss of biodiversity also has the potential to help avoid threats to human health in the future.
Research & Innovation will address the multiple challenges in this area, including by enabling transformative changes. This cluster will improve the knowledge on the causes of biodiversity decline, the role of ecosystems and their services and support their restoration. Cluster 6 will also steer and accelerate the transition to sustainable, healthy and inclusive food systems, to achieve effectively the objectives of the Farm to Fork Strategy.
In line with the European Green Deal objectives, research and innovation activities should comply with the ‘do no significant harm’ principle , that should be assessed both for activities carried out during the course of the project as well as the expected life cycle impact of the innovation at a commercialization stage.
These objectives are translated in seven destinations and impacts:
- Improving the biodiversity and restore ecosystems
- Creating fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food systems from primary production to consumption
- Unlocking the full potential of the circular economy and bioeconomy sectors
- Realizing a cleaner environment and zero pollution:
- Assessing the impact of climate change on land, oceans and water
- Developing resilient, inclusive, healthy and green communities (rural, coastal and urban)
- Establishing innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal
Areas of activity
- Environmental observation
- Agriculture, forestry and rural areas
- Circular systems
- Food systems
- Biodiversity and natural resources
- Seas, oceans and inland waters
- Bio-based innovation systems in the EU Bioeconomy
