Joint Research Centre - European Commission

The JRC and the Italian Department for Civil Protection (DPC) on Wednesday 16 May agreed to strengthen their collaboration and jointly develop a tsunami alert system in the Mediterranean Sea. The four year collaboration agreement foresees data and knowledge exchange between the parties with the ultimate goal to increase the security of populations at risk of a tsunami.

In this context, the JRC's Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen (IPSC) will provide its tsunami alert and monitoring systems to support decision making in the case of a tsunami. The use of common software and data will facilitate real time data exchange and hence timely action and alert.

JRC conference Scientific support for growth, jobs and sustainability: the example of eco-industries, held on Tuesday 15 May in Brussels, emphasised the unique role eco-industries can play in Europe's economic recovery and sustainable future.

Opened by Máire Geoghegan-Quinn European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, and Hannes Swoboda, President of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats at the European Parliament, the conference welcomed high level speakers from businesses, research organisations, governments and EU policymakers. They shared experience from their fields and discussed how scientific support can boost the growth of eco-industries.

A new European benchmark on the employability of young graduates, developed by the JRC in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Education and Culture, was adopted by the Council of the European Union on Friday 11 May 2012. This benchmark will be the reference level of European average performance on the share of employed graduates from education and training. It will help monitor progress towards EU’s 2020 targets, which envisage an average of at least 82% of graduates (20-34 year old) being employed no more than three years after they have completed education

Employability is a combination of factors which allow individuals to get a job, stay employed and progress during their career. It is a complex concept, which includes skills, attitudes and motivation. Additional factors which lie beyond education and training policy, involve labour market regulations, demography, the structure of the economy and the overall economic situation.

A new JRC report provides key information for policy makers and business managers on how to assess the environmental impacts of products and services through more consistent and better quality life cycle assessments.

Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) helps to assess the sustainability of supply chains, use, and end-of-life management options for goods and services. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a structured scientific method, internationally standardised according to ISO 14040 and 14044 that facilitates the implementation of LCT. It quantifies the resources consumed, emissions, and related environmental, health and resource depletion issues that are associated with any specific good or service. The International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) was developed to provide guidance for greater consistency and quality assurance of Life Cycle Assessments.

The JRC hosted between May 7-11 the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) Working Group on "Photovoltaic Modules".

Around 85 experts from industry, research and testing organisations gathered in Stresa, Italy to draft standards for existing and upcoming photovoltaic product ranges. Asian countries provided the largest delegation, confirming their commitment to the international standardisation process which fosters innovation and facilitates global trade in this very dynamic industry.