Linkages between climate change actions and sustainable development
Specific Challenge: Policy makers face societal and economic challenges when addressing climate change, including the need to bring climate action into the wider agenda of economic welfare and sustainable development. Decision-making processes require robust estimates of the costs and benefits, as well as risks and opportunities associated with different mitigation pathways against a background of uncertainty about the future climate and its impacts. It is also necessary to explicitly address the links between the development of low-emission and climate-resilient strategies and other policies to promote sustainable development, and to understand how both the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change is connected to issues such as eradication of energy poverty, increased well-being and welfare, air quality improvement, technology innovation, and food and water availability. To respond effectively to climate change and simultaneously meet sustainable development goals, radical transformations are needed to enable the transition to a clean, low-carbon, sustainable and resilient society, at the national, regional and global levels.
Scope: Proposals shall address the following:
Examining the link between climate change actions and sustainable development through international research collaboration efforts and developing a science dialogue between the EU and international partner countries, with a focus on G20 countries. Proposals should develop technological and socio-economic mitigation pathways and adaptation strategies in the context of wider sustainable development goals, examine actual and prospective mitigation and adaptation policies in various countries to support evidence-based policy making for climate action in the context of sustainable development, and undertake international collaboration with scientists with insights into the local challenges and opportunities. In line with the EU’s strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation[1] proposals should contribute to provide support for capacity-building and knowledge-sharing goals under the UNFCCC[2] and contribute to major international scientific assessments (e.g. IPCC).
The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 3 and 5 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.
Expected impact:
Increased collaboration and cooperation in scientific research between the EU and key target countries in the area of climate action. Support for capacity-building and knowledge-sharing goals under the UNFCCC. Integration of climate action in the broader development agendas for developing countries. Accelerated transfer of low-carbon and adaptation technologies and knowledge to emerging and developing countries. Contribution to major international scientific assessments (e.g. IPCC).
Type of action: Research and innovation actions
[1] COM(2012)497