Blueprint-Network.net

 

Network funded by the Program " Improving the Human Research Potential and the Socio-Economic Knowledge Base" (IHP) of the European Commission, "Support for the Development of Science and Technology in Europe", "Strategic Analysis of Specific Political Issues" (STRATA). Contract n. HPV1-CT-2001-00003

 

Sustainable development means both increasing welfare and improving environmental quality. The necessary changes affect both the modes of production and consumption and requires technological, organisational as well as institutional and social changes. Changes of this kind can be defined as innovation towards sustainability-changes at a system-wide scope that go beyond the boundaries of conventional technologies or technological systems, sectors or policy areas. In the following we define this innovation towards sustainability shortly as environmental innovation.


S&T policies are a key factor for achieving these sustainable development goals but the specific instruments must be adapted within a broader framework that stresses the importance of policy coherence and of inter-linkages within innovation systems. Policy coherence implies improved integration of S&T and environmental policies and thus an enhanced dialog and co-ordination between science and technology and environmental policy makers and researchers. Thus the focus of the BLUEPRINT-network is to enhance dialogue and to initiate partnerships in S&T and environmental policies that can contribute to both sustainable development and industrial competitiveness.

Objectives of BLUEPRINT

  • Examination of the relationship between S&T and environmental policies considering the complexity of factors influencing innovation and environmental decisions in firms
  • Promoting the dialogue between the socio-economic research community, policy makers, industry and intermediate organisations in Europe
  • Enhancing policy coherence in addressing sustainable development issues

Targets of the network

  • Improving the quality of policy decision-making
  • Offering frameworks for understanding innovation processes towards sustainability including their phases, driving forces, impacts
  • Drafting a BLUEPRINT to stimulate new policy initiatives in this area
  • Continuing after the BLUEPRINT project finalisation (--> electronic network)

Issues

Following the STRATA philosophy, the thematic network BLUEPRINT will not promote research but research policy. BLUEPRINT is structured according to crucial policy issues, i.e. we plan to organise 5 workshops and a final conference with the following themes:

  • Promoting green innovation systems through integrated S&T and environmental policies,
  • Business strategies to foster environmental innovation,
  • S&T and environmental policy instruments for stimulating environmental innovation,
  • Environmental innovation and competitiveness and
  • Environmental innovation and employment.
  • The results of the five workshops will be an input for the final conference which is planned to draft ?lueprints for an Integration of Science, Technology and Environmental Policy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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