EU Framework Programme for European research and technological development : evidence / Select Committee on Science and Technology.
- Great Britain. Parliament. House of Lords. Science and Technology Committee.
- Date:
- 1997
Licence: Open Government Licence
Credit: EU Framework Programme for European research and technological development : evidence / Select Committee on Science and Technology. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![6 November 1996 ] [ Continued 11. SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT Objective: To develop innovative solutions to managing the unabated increase in the demand for travel whilst protecting economic growth and quality of life. Contents: Development of a European transport system utilising all transport modes—so that passenger and freight travel is undertaken in the most cost effective and environmentally friendly way. To identify policy and operational options compatible with system efficiency which are safe, reliable, reduce congestion, protect the environment, and allow choice. Research to address competition, modal choice, interoperability, accessibility, mobility, capacity and demand management, traveller and operator services and telematics applications. Rationale: Transport affects us all through the delivery of goods and services, travel for business and leisure, and its safety and environmental impact. People travel on average an hour a day and 200 kms a week. UK transport operations account for 16 per cent of household expenditure, up to 10 per cent of GDP, and the employment of 2 million people. Demand for travel continues (70 per cent growth in Europe since 1970) and imposes ever greater strains on society, the economy and environment. Demand has outstripped willingness and ability to pay for new infrastructure. The dominance of roads has led to unacceptable health costs (annually 50,000 killed in Europe and a quarter of a million injuries in the UK). And the environmental implications are inconsistent with sustainability (2 per cent of European GDP lost on congestion, second largest user of non-renewable energy, and 25 per cent contributor of all CO? emissions). 12. SUPPORTING EU ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Objective: To support the implementation of the European Community Programme of Policy and Action in Relation to the Environment and Sustainable development (AP5). Contents: RTD under this theme will relate to the four issues and seven environmental themes of AP5, as follows: improving the factual basis for the formulation of Community environmental policy; sustainable production and consumption patterns; shared responsibility and partnership; promotion of local and regional initiatives; climate change and ozone depletion; acidification and air quality; water resources management; waste management; noise; nature protection and biodiversity; accidents/risk management. Rationale: AP5 will become the foremost EU policy framework on environmental issues when a Decision, expected by the end of the year, on the APS review is taken by Council and Parliament. Definition of the areas of RTD needed to progress both the development of the action programme and to ensure effective implementation of these objectives would be developed by DGXI in conjunction with member states. Drawing together the RTD required under a single theme within a Framework programme will be the most effective way to deliver the necessary outputs. 13. STRENGTHENING THE SINGLE MARKET—MEASUREMENTS AND TESTING Objective: Establish a capability for testing and certifying quality European products across all sectors via measurements and tests which demonstrate compliance with EU Directives and supports the Single Market. Contents: Collaboration in testing and certifying the performance and quality of European products in accordance with Community Policy; RTD to ensure that European standards and testing laboratories produce and provide consistent measurements and tests that are equivalent to those made by Europe’s major trading partners; RTD to underpin the availability of technical tests to demonstrate compliance with EU directives. Rationale: Beneficiaries are industries in all sectors which use measuring and testing services to demonstrate the quality of their products and compliance with standards, as well as standards makers in environment, health and safety fields where consistent measurement is required. Without EU support for work in this area industries will not be able to implement Community Policy in an effective manner and will be increasingly be uncompetitive and lag behind the progress being made in other economic and trade groupings.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b32218734_0033.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
