Clean energy and mobility R&I: Shaping the future

Since adopting the European Green Deal in late 2019, EU climate policy has undergone a major shift in five years. The target is clear—climate neutrality by 2050. Despite their complexity, the steps needed to achieve this target are also relatively clear. However, the context in which the EU operates is rapidly changing. Therefore, EU research and innovation (R&I) policy must adapt quickly.

The reflection paper ‘Addressing European Research and Innovation Challenges for System Transitions in Energy and Mobility’ provides a vision, recommendations, and actions for how EU R&I policy in clean energy and mobility should adapt to the challenges the EU now faces. This event will explore the paper’s suggestions and consider how best to translate them from lofty ambitions to real actions.

This online event brings together experts to discuss research and innovation challenges and future priorities in clean energy and mobility.

DG Research and Innovation (DG R&I) Deputy Director-General Joanna Drake will open the event. One of the co-authors, Pierpaolo Cazzola (Co-Director, ITS-Davis European Transport and Energy Research Centre, University of California, Davis), will present the report. This will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by DG R&I ‘Clean Planet’ Director Rosalinde van der Vlies. Four high-level speakers will provide their views and thoughts on the paper and present their thoughts on the challenges and possible future priorities for R&I in clean energy and mobility.

The panellists are:

• Floor Alkemade, Full Professor and Chair of Economics and Governance of Technological Innovation at Eindhoven University of Technology; member of the Commission expert group on the Economic and Societal Impact of Research and Innovation (ESIR)
• Frank W. Geels, Eddie Davies Professor of Sustainability Transitions, Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester (co-author of the report)
• Marc Lemaître, Director-General, DG RTD
• Henriette Spyra, Director General Innovation & Technology, Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Mobility, Innovation & Technology

Once registrations are open, sign up for the event platform to follow the event online. Once logged in, streaming sessions will be accessible.