EMAR2RES

Support Action to initiate cooperation between the Communities of European MARine and MARitime REsearch and Science

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Nearly all significant developments in the marine/maritime area originate from Europe, a true maritime continent. Consequently, the Marine/Maritime Science and Research Communities are among the world leaders in their respective fields, disciplines and sectors. To maintain its leadership and competitiveness, Europe must take advantage of new market opportunities and address the global challenges by means of focused RDI. Unfortunately the complexity and intricacy of the marine/maritime area has lead to widespread fragmentation of research efforts and actors. It is therefore important to identify and establish appropriate mechanisms to strengthen the cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary cooperation, key ferment for innovation, between both research communities. To this effect, the ETP WATERBORNE and the informal Post Aberdeen Marine Interest Group came together as they would benefit from an appropriate and efficient cooperation framework to achieve the Lisbon agenda in a sustainable way. To tackle global issues such as Climate Change and Competitiveness, the different interests and elements affecting such matters need to be integrated in a consistent way. Building on the EU’s Maritime Policy and ERA, the key challenge for the EU Policies is to enable sustainable economic expansion, taking into account the environmental, economical and social aspects in a holistic way. This project will initiate the process for this holistic approach by identifying and generating a framework of cooperation for the two communities. It will focus on maritime transport but will form the basis for a wider reflection in the future. This framework would be build by identifying: the areas of common interest, of possible synergies and the most promising cooperation/integration structure. A Policy Interface Panel composed of representatives of the two Research Communities will be instrumental in reaching the largest possible consensus to ensure the best support and public awareness.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A European initiative has enhanced collaboration between the continent's marine and maritime science and research communities. Its successes contribute to the European Commission's wider policy strategy to create synergies between the marine and industrial maritime communities.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

A true maritime continent, Europe's marine/maritime science and research communities belong to the ranks of world leaders in their particular fields. To maintain this status, focused research, development and innovation (RDI) is needed to address emerging global challenges and take advantage of new market opportunities. This is not a simple feat, however; the marine/maritime area is hard-pressed to overcome widespread fragmentation of research efforts as well as of actor groups.

With EU funding of the Emar2res project, a forum was set up to encourage ongoing intellectual interchange and discourse with a view to better interaction between the two research communities. Such an approach strengthens cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary cooperation for enhanced capabilities in their respective research areas and sectors.

Seeking to support such interaction and facilitate networking for more cost-effective and efficient use of Member States' resources, project work also aimed to contribute to the establishment of a marine component of the European Research Area (ERA).

The organisation of six workshops in total allowed for brainstorming on issues of common interest, and identifying joint marine/maritime RTD priorities. A panel of more than 70 experts offered wide coverage in terms of knowledge in both areas, helping to identify important areas for research and development (R&D) collaboration.

One of the project's most tangible results was agreement on four common areas of research: biological and chemical impacts of maritime transport on the marine environment; water as a common medium ('physical' relationships); monitoring climate change and the benefits of operational oceanography to maritime activities; and the relationship between maritime transport and climate change. These four areas now form the basis for fruitful collaboration in Horizon 2020, the EU's Framework Programme for research and innovation funding from 2014 to 2020.

On the strength of their findings and success in raising awareness between the two communities, Emar2res was also able to communicate concrete recommendations to policymakers. The initiative proved a successful first step towards integrating the marine/maritime science and research communities, promising benefits to the ERA and the continent's international competitiveness.