An independent pilot study, released at the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) last month, demonstrates that bottom -up research funded by the European Research Council (ERC) has already had major impacts. Over 70% of projects evaluated in the report have made scientific breakthroughs or major advances. The study concludes that the ERC invests in truly high-risk/high-gain research and that it also contributes significantly to the economy and society at large. The Report also states that the ERC grants also have a very positive effect on researchers’ careers.
Source: https://erc.europa.eu/

The use of fossil fuels across the European Union continues to decline due in part to increased consumption of renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report, which assesses progress on the use of renewable energy, found that clean energy technologies, where chemistry plays a major role, are an important driving force in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and in creating employment in Europe. Among other points, the report states that public funding in research and development of new renewable energy sources has increased between 2005 and 2013 but at a slower pace than before, posing a risk of missing the break-through technologies of tomorrow. The International Energy Agency has recommended the tripling of current public research and development spending on clean-energy innovation.
Source: http://www.eea.europa.eu/

Last month, Members of European Parliament unanimously approved an interim report, summarising the committee’s activities so far and outlining its work programme for the second half of its one-year mandate. The report is to be debated by Parliament as a whole on 13 September in Strasbourg. The MEPs also conducted hearings where constructors stated that the EU needs a common definition of “normal car use” and that diesel engine NOx emissions are the price paid to hit lower CO2 targets. The hearings took place at the Committee of Inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS), whose work will be resumed after the summer break.
Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/

The European Commission’s Research and Innovation Observatory (RIO) has published the second edition of the RIO country reports, which assess the evolution of national research and innovation systems and identify key challenges.
These country reports provide a wealth of knowledge by detailing the policy developments in the R&I area at national level, analysing the level of public and private funding for R&D, assessing the quality of the science base and the level of implementation of the European Research Area (ERA) priorities, describing the framework conditions for research and innovation (R&I) and the links between industry and academia.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/

The European Cluster on Catalysis has recently published the Roadmap on Catalysis for Europe, a roadmap to which EuCheMS as well as two of its Members, ENMIX and ERIC, contributed.
The European Cluster on Catalysis was launched by the European Commission and gathers EU-founded projects in the field of catalysis, organisations and institutions as well as industrial and other relevant stakeholders in catalysis at EU level.
The term catalysis encompasses in this particular framework different typologies and declinations of catalysis: heterogeneous, homogeneous, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, biocatalysis and others as well as the corresponding technologies, such as CO₂ utilisation, artificial photosynthesis, biogenic materials, water technologies.
Source: http://www.euchems.eu/

Pack both your lab goggles and sunglasses, the 6^th European Chemistry Congress (ECC6) is taking place already next month in Seville, Spain. One of the biggest gatherings of chemistry in the world, ECC6 will present and discuss the newest scientific ideas while looking into how can these have a positive impact in our lives. With a rich scientific programme, counting, for instance, with plenary lectures from Nobel Prizes, ECC6 is not only for chemists, as it will also open its doors to the general public, schools, friends and families with – among other –  theatre sessions showcasing the relevance of chemistry to society. Make sure you follow us on twitter and facebook for all the latest ECC6 updates!
Source: http://euchems-seville2016.eu