€10 billion to 10 European partnerships. The goal? Climate neutrality and digital development

The European Commission presented 10 new partnerships to accelerate the ecological transition and arrive at a climate-neutral and digital industrial Europe as soon as possible.

Made up of public institutions and private organisation, the partnerships are under the Horizon 2020 EU programme for research and innovation and are aimed at developing technological and innovative solutions across a number of sectors.

The EU will be contributing an investment of €10 billion towards the projects, with an equal amount being invested by the partners, which primarily include research centres, universities, businesses, local institutions, and political and social organisations.

The following are the 10 partnerships and their aims:

1. Global Health EDCTP3

To fight infectious diseases, especially in sub-Saharan African countries, and to support research institutions in the development of health technologies to counter emerging epidemics.

2. Innovative health initiative

To invest in scientific research in order to implement innovation in the area of health.

3. Key digital technologies

To support the digital transformation of all economic and social sectors in terms of electronic components, software, processors, semi-conductor technologies and, most of all, ground-breaking inventions, for the purpose of increasing Europe’s digital competitiveness.

4. Circular bioeconomy

To reach 2030 climate targets and then hit the 2050 climate neutrality goal by increasing the sustainability and circularity of manufacturing and consumption systems.

5. Clean hydrogen

To develop the clean hydrogen value chain by focusing on production, distribution and storage and zeroing in on hard-to-abate sectors like industry and heavy transport.

6. Clean aviation

To work towards the creation of low-emission aircraft by focusing on research and technological innovation

7. European railways

To reorganise the rail system through use of digital and automated technologies.

8. Single European Sky Air Traffic Management (ATM) Research 3

To transform European air traffic management into a more digital, ecological and efficient one.

9. Smart networks and services

To invest in cybersecurity, 5G and 6G technologies, in line with strategies to attain Europe’s digital and technological sovereignity.

10. Metrology

To make Europe a benchmark in measurement research by implementing and expanding on clear public policy regulation.

Each of these 10 partnerships between the EU, member states and industries will contribute to the achievement of the goals of the Green Deal to make Europe’s economy sustainable. 

European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, says: "The challenge of the coronavirus pandemic added urgency to our long-standing endeavours to better use research and innovation to tackle health emergencies, climate change and digital transformation. European Partnerships are our opportunity to work together to respond and shape the profound economic and social transformations, for the benefit of all EU citizens".