SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PERFORMANCE OF THE EU 2020
A fair, green and digital Europe
The report ‘Science, research and innovation performance of the EU 2020’ (SRIP 2020) analyses how Europe fares in science, technology and innovation in the fast-changing global context.
The report presents how research and innovation (R&I) policy needs to adapt to become more transformative and deliver on an ample concept of sustainability (social, environmental and economic) while driving the EU’s competitiveness.
This digital publication provides an overview of the main messages in the report, notably focusing on how R&I can contribute to:
- A sustainable Europe
- A competitive Europe
- An inclusive Europe
- A digital Europe
- A knowledge-based Europe
The evidence in the SRIP 2020 report leads to 11 policy recommendations that support Europe’s agenda for people, planet and prosperity. These are grouped under three main pillars:
- R&I for a safe and just space for humanity
- R&I for global leadership
- R&I for economic and societal impact.
HOW R&I CAN CONTRIBUTE TO
1.A Sustainable Europe
1.1
A changing world
While the Covid-19 pandemic has been disrupting our society only the past months, Europe has been facing global long-term changes that are reducing our choices for the future, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, ageing population, and increasing inequalities.
1.2
The path for transitions
No country in the world can meet basic needs for its citizens without transgressing planetary boundaries to some extent. Research and innovation enable and accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable and fair society.
1.3
Addressing global challenges through R&I
R&I is a cornerstone for a robust European project in a global context. It fosters sustainable development across different dimensions: people, planet and prosperity.
2.A Competitive Europe
2.1
R&I: engine of productivity
R&I is at the core of the productivity and competitiveness of our economy. Productivity growth is a condition for more efficient use of resources that leads to a more sustainable way of production.
2.2
The state of business dynamics in Europe
The revival of business dynamism would deepen creative destruction and productivity growth in Europe. It means creating the right conditions for innovative start-ups to grow and lead the way in solutions that match the urgency of the challenges ahead.
2.3
Investing in our future
Only by increasing investments in R&Ι, ICT, skills and economic competencies can Europe fulfil its ambition to lead in the green transition and the digital age.
2.4
Framing business opportunities
Europe is rich in ideas and talent but obstacles remain to it reaching its full potential. This requires a fit-for-purpose and forward-looking regulatory framework, higher institutional quality, risk capital, and completing the Single Market for research, education and innovation.
3.An Inclusive Europe
3.1
Adapting skills to the shifting realities
New jobs will require new knowledge and skills for workers to adapt and progress in the fast- moving labour market.
3.2
New ways of working
Digitalisation has enabled the rise of the platform economy and new unconventional working arrangements, impacting on an increasing number of workers.
3.3
No places left behind
Regional R&I systems show signs of convergence although a high concentration of innovation and technological activities remains.
3.4
Mind the gender gap
Everyone wins from greater female participation in the knowledge economy but we are not there yet: despite some progress, women are still underrepresented in R&I and the digital economy.
4.A Digital Europe
4.1
Designing Europe’s AI-infused future
As a general-purpose technology, AI can play a big role in the economic, social and ecological transition. EU’s guiding principles of trustworthy, human-centric, and ethical AI are a strength of the EU AI innovation ecosystem that will also boost the ‘trust in tech” and safeguard privacy.
4.2
The changing ‘DNA’ of innovation
Digitalisation is transforming every aspect of daily life, including innovation. The new changing dynamics of innovation can be defined by ‘5Cs’: celerity, complexity, concentration, costs and consumers.
4.3
Greening ICT
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are providing solutions to mitigate climate change and, at the same time, they leave a global footprint. R&I is essential for more sustainable/green data centres and supercomputers.
4.4
Skills for the digital age
Although Europe’s population is slowly progressing towards mastering the increasingly important digital skills, more is needed to broaden and upgrade the skills set demanded in the digital age.
5.A Knowledge-based Europe
5.1
Raising Europe’s bar on scientific excellence
The EU is a powerhouse in science: it is a champion in scientific production and ranks second in excellence. New global developments, such as the UK’s exit from the EU, China’s sharp rise, digitalisation and a new focus on sustainability all impact the EU’s scientific performance.
5.2
More bang for the knowledge buck
Innovation output in the EU continues to lag behind global competitors. Europe needs to make the most of its R&I. This means turning knowledge results into sustainable solutions with economic value and societal benefits.
5.3
Knowledge flows
Researchers’ mobility, public-private cooperation and (open) international scientific cooperation are key ingredients for knowledge diffusion, creating solutions to grand challenges and boosting competitiveness in Europe.
5.4
Europe’s got talent
Europe’s diversity, freedom of movement of people and cooperation between Member States is potentially an unrivalled source of innovation. The race for global talent calls for the upgrade of education systems in Europe.
6.The way forward: 11 policy recommendations
The evidence in the SRIP 2020 report leads to 11 policy recommendations that support Europe´s agenda for people, planet and prosperity.
Download the report
