EUREKA PROJECT > 330 EUROENVIRON 

Project Description

EUROENVIRON is an "umbrella" project within the EUREKA structure. The main task is to generate subprojects developing high technology products, processes, systems or services contributing to solving some of Europe's major environmental problems as well as increasing Europe's competitiveness in this field on the world market. There is a wide range of opportunities for countering environmental problems in the EUREKA countries, but solutions can only be identified and implemented using many different specific approaches. Pollution prevention rather than clean-up is regarded as the future at all political levels and will therefore receive special attention in the targeted project generation activities within the EUREKA EUROENVIRON Umbrella. However, in order to offer the required range of solutions for both short-term and long-term pollution problems within many areas (sectorial as well as national), there will be a continuing need for the further development of clean-up and end-of-pipe technologies. Life cycle perspectives, framed by Integrated Product Policies within EUREKA countries and the EUROPEAN UNION, and Life Cycle Management approaches applied by industries, together with sustainable development, are all guiding principles in the search for solutions. These should contribute to strengthening the position of European industry in delivering sustainable products and services. EUROENVIRON Mission Statement - Generate, promote and facilitate the establishment of "market-driven", co-operative, environmental RTD (Research and Technological Development) projects involving industry and research institutes across Europe. -Carry out networking activities emphasising the new environmental focus as outlined in EU and national environmental policies and directives. Generate and promote RTD projects under the Integrated Product Policy (IPP) Approach aiming at the development of intelligent product design / eco-design to reduce the environmental impacts of products and services through their entire life cycle: * Less use of resources. * Avoid/limit emissions of dangerous substances. * Improved recycling. * Sustainable use of renewable resources. * Increased product life time/increased 'service' value of products = dematerialisation waste minimisation. * Promotion of sustainability and life cycle assessment as integrated elements in all innovative developments. * Encouragement of co-operation on environmental RTD between companies and research organisations in different regions of Europe. * Promotion of an open dialogue between the different actors from industry, research, governments and other interested parties within and across the different industrial sectors and countries of the EUREKA EUROENVIRON network. * Co-operation with relevant European and international organisations and research programmes (other EUREKA umbrellas, EU Framework Programmes, COST (European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research), CEN (European Committee for Standardization), UNEP (United Nations Environment Program), etc.). The detailed work and organisation of the EUROENVIRON Umbrella is described in the EUROENVIRON Action Plan of 1 November 2004 (final), which is attached and can also be found on the EUROENVIRON web page: www.euroenviron.com (action plan heading).

Technological Development Envisaged

New and innovative environmental technologies can add to economic growth in a number of ways. They will increase the effectiveness of environmental protection, reducing the cost burden to industry by enabling requirements to be met for less cost and increased value for money in protection. This frees up resources for use elsewhere in the economy. They also help to decouple environmental pollution and resource use from economic growth, allowing our economies more scope to grow in the long run while still remaining within our environment's limits. This is central to sustainable development. Finally, an innovative environmental technology sector can help underpin growth if it is capable of tapping into rapidly growing export markets. Trade in advanced technologies can be good both for the EU and for other countries that need such technology to help them tackle their own environmental problems. By developing better and more cost-effective technologies, we open up a wider range of options to countries experiencing the same environmental constraints that we are facing. It is clear that when we talk about environmental technologies we mean far more than 'end-of-pipe' devices to clean up pollution. Environmental technologies include 'integrated' technologies that prevent pollutants being generated during the production process, as well as new materials, energy and resource-efficient production processes, environmental know-how, and new ways of working. In short, we should take a broad view of environmental technologies, given that, from a policy perspective, our concern should be for the use and potential of environmental technologies throughout the economic system. In particular, the enlargement of the EU and the investments needed to comply with the environmental standards and regulations provide a great opportunity for the old EU Member States, the new Members and the Candidate Countries to increase their uptake of environmental technologies and contribute to sustainable development. The environmental technologies industry is already growing rapidly. Rising demand for a better environment has led to an expanding supply of environmentally-friendly technologies, products and services in both the industrialised and developing countries. Within this context, EUROENVIRON will use its activities and network to encourage and support the development of innovative environmental joint ventures, projects and initiatives. Note under Relationship to other EU Programmes: On 28 January 2004 the Commission adopted the new European Environment Technology Action Plan (ETAP). In 2003 EUROENVIRON was invited to take part in the work to prepare the ETAP through participation in the ETAP Sustainable Production and Consumption Expert Advisory Group. EUROENVIRON is representing EUREKA in the EU / EUREKA Joint Technical Group on Environment. EUROENVIRON will continue to assess if other types of collaboration or co-ordination with the EU are of obvious relevance to the network.

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Main portuguese contact.

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UMBRELLA CHAIR Chairing of internal meetings, maintenance of links with EUREKA Secretariat, EU and Framework Programme, development of funding and technology networks. UMBRELLA SECRETARIAT Organisation of regular umbrella meetings, coordination with EUREKA Office, facilitation of access to funding, partner searching, hosting of Web portal developed within the UK to support active networking.

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UMBRELLA CHAIR Operating of a Knowledge Transfer Network in the UNITED KINGDOM with activities in R&D development, technology transfer, training, dissemination. Expertise in managing complex multidisciplinary projects, European activities and projects and international partnerships. UMBRELLA SECRETARIAT Organisation of meetings, facilitation of project development, Web management and general project management.

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NUS: Umbrella Sectoral Representative. Facilitate generation of EUREKA projects. Contributions to revised action plan for EUROENVIRON.

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- Technology development. - Industrial cleaner production. - Water treatment. - Wastewater treatment. - Industrial residues. - Ecotoxicology. - Environmental safety and health. - Environmental impact assessment.

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Initially only a contact.

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National EUROENVIRON Coordinator.

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National Contact point for Environment and Sustainable Development.

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National EUROENVIRON Representative.

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NUS: Umbrella Sectoral Representative. - The Technical Secretariat of the Spanish Water and Irrigation Technology Platform, managed by AFRE (Spanish Irrigation Manufacturers Association), represents the Spanish water and irrigation technology sector (members of the Spanish Water and Irrigation Technology Platform and of AFRE). - The Technical Secretariat of the Spanish Water and Irrigation Technology Platform will support cooperative R+D+i within Europe, to promote competitiveness of European companies by means of the promotion of technological projects; aimed at the development of products, processes and services with a clear commercial interest on the international market and which are based on innovative technologies. - The Technical Secretariat of the Spanish Water and Irrigation Technology Platform will support the participation of the Spanish water and irrigation companies and research centres in EUREKA.

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A. PRESENTATION The Spanish Association of Irrigation Manufacturers, AFRE, is the only non-profit national association whose objectives are to represent, defend, promote and develop Spanish irrigation technologies. AFRE clusters the best Spanish companies and organisations in the water technology industry, and acts as interlocutor with the various institutions related to water and irrigation in the world. AFRE’s mission is to contribute to an efficient use of water and energy, to promote the quality and professionalism of the industry’s firms, favour the development of productive and sustainable agricultural practices and consolidate the position of the companies that integrate the association as leaders in the national and international markets. B. OBJECTIVES AFRE wants to contribute to achieving environmental, economic and social benefits, as well as fostering a better representation, organisation and articulation of the irrigation technologies industry. B.1. Environmental Contribute towards the efforts of saving water and energy, towards implementing quality and sustainable agricultural practices and towards preservation of the environment. Help to achieve an equitable distribution and an efficient use of irrigation water in SPAIN. B.2. Economic - Growth and development of the national irrigation materials and equipment industry. - Opening and penetrating new markets. - Continuous improvement of product quality and customer services provided to end users. - Improving the knowledge and awareness, in SPAIN and the rest of the world, of the national irrigation materials and equipment manufacturing industry. B.3. Social - Promote and contribute to the dissemination of the new water and irrigation culture. - Promote long lasting relationships with related entities and groups in the water industry. - Defend the interests of the Spanish irrigation materials and equipment industry in all forms and aspects of the sector. B.4. Organisational - Dynamise the Association by improving efficiency and the services it provides. - Increase the Association’s representation by increasing the number and type of associated members. C. ACTIVITIES - Defending the interest of the Spanish irrigation technology industry. We maintain ongoing dialogue with the relevant institutions and entities operating in the different areas that affect the sector, working to establish common operating strategies and criteria and negotiating favourable terms for the associated members. - Technical-commercial consulting. We offer technical advice and commercial interest information to our associate companies. - Communications and external relationships. We send communications to society at large to create awareness of the relevance of the sector and the need to modernise irrigation systems and facilities as well as the need for a rational use of our water resources. We also make the media’s task of communication easier by promoting cooperation between all the agents and entities of the industry. - Product quality and standardisation. Active participation in the standardisation process of irrigation equipment and materials in cooperation with the National Irrigation Technologies Centre (Centro Nacional de Tecnologia del Regadio). - Research, development and innovation. Driving R+D+i programs and projects in cooperation with our companies, Universities and Technology Centres. - Awareness, education and training, in all aspects of manufacturing, professional use of irrigation systems and good irrigation practices. Participating and organising courses, seminars and conferences. - Information and promotion, about Spanish products and manufacturing technology, by means of creating and distributing technical catalogues and by organising and attending trade fairs, demonstrations and presentations. - Technology transfer and cooperation for development. Participating in programs involving skill acquisition, technology transfer and improvement of irrigation systems in developing countries. C.1. Other Advantages and Services - Belonging to a business platform in which quality is the differentiating factor. - Having direct communication with national and international organisations. - Actively participating in: * AFRE’s sector and territorial commissions; * Standardisation committees; * Courses, technical seminars, workshops, trade fairs. - Promoting general interest actions such as: * The Spanish irrigation Technological Platform; * Renewal Plan (‘Plan Renove’) and Installer Credentials; * Irrigation Technical Code. - Participating in cooperation projects between companies. - Permanent information about the Spanish irrigation technology. - Market studies and irrigation technology observatory. - Dissemination of corporate information through the website, bulletin, irrigation directory and specialised media. - Negotiating of favourable terms for the associated members.

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