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Sustainable development is a core objective of the European Union: we need to ensure that our present socio-economic development does not compromise our future. Current EU policies are based on the renewed Sustainable Development Strategy (EU SDS) [pdf 191 Kb] of June 2006, where research and development (R&D) plays an important and multifaceted role.
‘The Seventh Framework Programme reflects our joined up approach to sustainability’

Janez Potocnik, Commissioner responsible for Science and Research.

The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) has been set up to allow European research to live up to the R&D needs expressed in the EU renewed sustainable development strategy.

This web portal is the entry point to consolidated information on FP7's contribution to sustainable development. When browsing through this website, you can find out about the multiple means through which FP7 contributes to sustainable development. Furthermore, you can explore links to national and regional initiatives on sustainable development research, learn about the sustainability potential of the European Research Area, and find out about relevant events.

Sustainable development: a challenge for European research

The Conference “Sustainable development: a challenge for European research” organised by the Research DG took place on 26-28 May 2009, in Brussels. This high-level meeting, which attracted a large and multidisciplinary audience, aimed at highlighting ways and means for putting the European research system at the service of sustainable development. We invite you to visit the Conference website updated with participants' presentations and reports - a useful communication tool available for the conference participants and all actors interested in progress on sustainable development in the research field.
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EU Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potočnik shares his views on the challenges raised in the Manifesto presented by the Scientific Committee at the opening of the conference. Read more in his blog …

Research on Sustainable Indicators

On 30 September, the Research DG and Eurostat have organised a conference entitled "Research on Sustainable Development Indicators: Taking stock of results and identification of research needs" on 30 September in Luxemburg. The conference, that took place in Luxembourg, has proposed an overview of the research carried out so far on Sustainable Development Indicators - mainly in FPs - and has also prompted the discussion on the remaining gaps. Read more...

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