SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November EEA/US EPA Research linkages meeting under the ECOinformatics umbrella Brussels, 23 September 2004 P. Valette DG Research, Directorate Environment EUROPEAN COMMISSION

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Ecoinformatics: Specific Political Context Sustainable economic growth  requires us to protect the living planet  requires us to base policy and management decisions on science  requires us to respond quickly and correctly when appropriate To achieve this we must understand biodiversity and ecosystems Much known already, much still to learn  Data on biodiversity and ecosystems  Huge amount of new and archived data, but often not compatible or accessible  Understanding and models on biodiversity, ecosystems  Increasingly complex and multi-disciplinary

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Ecoinformatics: Specific Political Context We must greatly increase  database complexity (observation capacity, architecture, size, connectivity, interoperability, access)  analytic power (paradigms, algorithms, flexibility, speed)  capacity to communicate: dialogue between science, policy, practitioners Can provide this capacity through Bio- and Eco- informatics  needs major intellectual and research effort  huge potential benefits for knowledge-based society

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November The actions are providing knowledge needed for the development of community policy dealing with sources and the impact pathway of health stressors within the framework of the Community’s Sustainable Development Strategy Lisbon process: increasing European competitiveness & knowledge by encouraging private and public investments The implementation of the (Action 7) “methodological systems” is supporting other Community strategies e.g. the EU Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP) and the establishment of Technology Platforms (e.g. sustainable chemistry – risk assessment methodologies) Many existing policies and initiatives on which to build (e.g. 6th Environmental Action Programme, REACH, Community Strategy on Endocrine Disrupters, Community Action Programme on Public Health) The Actions are improving knowledge on environment & health disparities between regions / countries in enlarged Union Specific Political Context Environment and Health

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Key elements: Improve the information chain by developing integrated environment and health information to understand the links between sources and pollutants and health effects Fill the knowledge gap by strengthening research on environment and health and identifying emerging issues Response: review policies and improve communication by developing awareness raising, risk communication, training & education

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Integrating and exploiting research results for policy development Analysis of environment/health interactions to improve understanding & prevention of the priority diseases (putting emphasis on children, e.g. asthma, allergy, neuro-immune disorders, cancers) Developing methodologies to assess better the risks coming from environmental factors and improving economic valuation (externalities concept) and impact analyses of prevention strategies Facilitating rapid assessment of emerging threats by working together with MSs and international organisations (e.g. WHO) Launching research on emerging issues - climate change & health (e.g. spreading of emerging diseases) - water pollution (e.g. emerging pathogens in drinking water) Research themes on Environment & Health

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November EU 6th Framework Programme for Research  Three main Thematic Priorities (Health, Environment, Food Quality and Safety)  Scientific Support to Policies (SSP)  At least 2 remaining Calls for Proposals (2004 – 2006)  New Instruments (IP, NoE) and Traditional Instruments (STREP, CA, SSA)  Special emphasis put on dissemination and exploitation of results to the public  At the project level wider co-operation with international organizations/developing countries EU Research activities on Environment & Health

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Possible topics for further research on Environment & Health  Validating and disseminating best practices and decision-support tools through a network  Developing methods, tools and systems for the interface and transfer of information from research to policy  Developing methodologies for the application of the “full-chain approach”  Developing linkage to Global Earth Observation EU Research activities on Environment & Health

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy: Analysis of needs Data collection strategy  Need observing and modelling network in natural and social sciences  Ensure that natural science and social science data collection are complementary Data collection protocols  develop protocols (automation, data collection, documentation and metadata, processing)  develop quality assessment, control, standards, meta data descriptors and quality assurance procedures. Data archiving (other than specimen-based collections)  Develop virtual pan-European data archive with interoperable database interrogation and access Observing systems  Promote a coherent pan-European system (see ALTER-Net, MARBEF), both in situ and remote, automated where appropriate  Ensure data collected in Europe are comparable internationally (Global Earth Observation, Global Monitoring for Environment and Security)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Modelling  Improve link between field ecology and modelling  Develop models to be more useful to policy and practitioners.  Improve modelling and analysis network  Improve models (distributions, interactions, ecological systems)  Improve means of handling and communicating uncertainty, irreversibility, variable quality Exploitation of data and knowledge (technology transfer, policy implementation, conflict resolution)  Science-policy dialogue: extend and reinforce European Platform Biodiversity Research Strategy or similar body.  Develop web of national platforms for dialogue between science and policy

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Contribution to Eco-informatics EC-funded biodiversity projects  European Network for Biodiversity Information  network of biodiversity information centres  western European palaeartic  Europe-wide pool of technical and human resources, expertise and know-how  forum for GBIF-related debate  adds value by co-ordinating other relevant research activities in Europe

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Projects related to eco-informatics BioAssess  biodiversity indicators BioCASE  web-based info. service BioCISE  info. service strategy CDEFD  data structure for flora ENHSIN  database infrastructure ERMS  register of marine spp EURO+MED Plantbase  vascular plant info. system EuroCat  access to taxonomic info. EVALUWET  wetlands expert system Fauna Europea  database of animals SPIN  space-based indicators SYNTHESYS  access to data, collections and expertise

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Networks of Excellence Creating a virtual European institute with a long- term research programme  European networks  collecting comparable long-term data using agreed protocols  agreeing on standards to archive data  developing shared access and data policies - ALTER-Net (terrestrial) - MARBEF (marine)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Next call for proposals In marine and terrestrial ecosystems Develop and improve models that are tied closely to observing systems Request to pay attention to international observing systems (i.e. reminding participants of context of GEO)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Ocean Health Land Ecosystems Disasters Atmosphere Climate Global Earth Observation

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Specific Political Context G8 and Washington Summit (2003) Affirmed need for timely, quality, long-term, global information as a basis for sound decision making. Recognized need to support: 1)Comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained Earth observation system or systems; 2)Coordinated effort to address capacity-building needs related to Earth observations; 3)Exchange of observations in a full and open manner with minimum time delay and minimum cost; and 4)Preparation of a 10-year Implementation Plan, building on existing systems and initiatives (Plan to be presented at third Earth Observation Summit, Feb. 2005, Brussels). Established ad hoc Group on Earth Observations (GEO) to address the above points and develop the Plan. Invited other governments to join.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Vision of Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS): distributed system of systems with facilities for data collection, data exchange, data and information dissemination, models, archiving facilities and data transformation tools; based on user requirements from existing dialogue and procedures (e.g. reports by GCOS, IGOS-P, WCRP, ISDR, CEOS, identifying gaps in observing systems and ways to fill them); building on existing observing and processing systems (e.g. systems owned by WMO, UNESCO, FAO, WHO, …); encouraging and accommodating new components (e.g. GMES).

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Areas of GEOSS: Reducing loss of life and property from natural and human induced disasters; Understanding environmental factors affecting human health and well being; Improving management of energy resources; Understanding, assessing, predicting, mitigating and adapting to climate variability and change; Improving water resources management through better understanding of the water cycle; Improving weather information, forecasting and warning; Improving the management and protection of terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems; Supporting sustainable agriculture and combating desertification; Understanding, monitoring and conserving biodiversity;

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Contribution of the European Commission to GEO Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES): - being developed jointly by EC and ESA until system to coordinate and enhance existing Earth observation and monitoring information from satellites and Earth-based sensors to support better decision making for the environment and security; - providing independent, cost-effective and user friendly services to groups of specific users, such as public authorities, aid agencies and private enterprises.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November THIRD CALL FOR PROPOSALS June 16, 2004 Earth System Observations (Integrated Project) Enhance coordinated efforts at data analysis and fill gaps in regional observing systems Interfaces, interoperability, integration and linkages between observing systems Improvement of monitoring technologies and standards Identification of a set of geo-observational products Observations for detection and documentation of climate change, including extreme events (e.g. ENSO) Provide contribution to the Group on Earth Observation (GEO) and Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) (Deadline October 26, 2004)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November THIRD CALL FOR PROPOSALS June 16, 2004 Specific Support Actions Enhancing co-operation between Europe and the developing countries within the context of global earth observation systems (GEO) Exploitation of results of research projects relevant to Group on Earth Observations (GEO) (Deadline October 26, 2004)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November Envisaged fourth call for proposals Research topics explicitly addressing contribution to GEO and related specific needs of developing countries  Desertification  Regional planning in connection with urban and rural development  Management of coastal zones  Estimation of carbon budgets for the developing countries (Each topic for up-to-one Integrated Project or 2-3 STREPs) Research topics explicitly addressing contribution to GEO (Partners from developing countries is encouraged)  Climatic change (extreme events and health)  Marine Resources - observatory  Natural Disasters  Sustainable land management of forest

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS November A new EU Framework Programme after 2006  To be organized around six major objectives (centers of excellence, technological initiatives, basic research, scientific careers, research infrastructure, coordination of national RTD programmes)  Thematic priorities to be defined (Open consultation ongoing)