A4-0170/97

Resolution on the Community policy for research and sustainable development

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its resolutions, opinions and decisions of:

. 13 June 1991, on energy and the environment ((OJ C 183, 15.7.1991, p. 303.)),

. 13 February 1992, on EC participation in the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED) @ protection of forests ((OJ C 67, 16.3.1992, p. 152.)),

. 17 September 1992, on Europe's response to the challenge of modern technology ((OJ C 284, 2.11.1992, p. 116.)),

. 17 November 1992, on a Community programme of Policy and Action in relation to the Environment and Sustainable Development ((OJ C 337, 21.12.1992, p. 34.)),

. 19 January 1993, on the promotion of renewable forms of energy ((OJ C 42, 15.2.1993, p. 30.)),

. 25 June 1993, on the conclusion of the framework Convention on Climate Change ((OJ C 194, 19.7.1993, p. 358.)),

. 2 December 1993, on the broad guidelines of the economic policies of the Member States and of the Community ((OJ C 342, 20.12.1993, p. 23.)),

. 9 March 1994, on the Commission White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment ((OJ C 91, 28.3.1994, p. 124.)),

. 11 March 1994, on the demographic situation and development ((OJ C 91, 28.3.1994, p. 340.)),

. 20 April 1994, on the Fourth Framework Programme of European Economic Community activities in the field of research, technological development and demonstration, 1994-1998 ((OJ C 128, 9.5.1994, p. 135.)),

. 7 April 1995, on the implementation of the broad economic policy guidelines ((OJ C 109, 1.5.1995, p. 304.)),

. 10 October 1995, on the Green Paper 'For a European Union energy policy¨ ((OJ C 287, 30.10.1995, p. 34.)),

. 11 October 1995, on the Commission communication to the European Parliament and the Council 'Economic Growth and the Environment: Some Implications for Economic Policy Making¨ ((OJ C 287, 30.10.1995, p. 118.)),

. 11 October 1995, on a Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on directions for the EU on environmental indicators and green national accounting @ the integration of environmental and economic information systems ((OJ C 287, 30.10.1995, p. 115.)),

. 6 June 1996, on the Green Paper on Innovation ((OJ C 181, 24.6.1996, p. 35.)),

. 13 November 1996, on the review of the European Community programme on policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development, 'Towards Sustainability¨ ((OJ C 362, 2.12.1996, p. 112.)),

- having regard to Rule 148 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy (A4-0382/96),

- having regard to the second report of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy (A4-0170/97)),

A. whereas since the Second World War science, in the form of R& D, has been an essential factor of economic growth, reducing the time between the design of a new product and its appearance on the market,

B. whereas to solve the problems posed by the present economic growth model, dominated by market forces which intensively consume natural resources, there is a need to adopt a sustainable development (SD) model guided by the principles of solidarity between generations and nature conservancy, based on the crucial role of R& D,

C. deploring the fact that the EU Treaty lays down provisions for the environmental field without establishing a much-needed Community energy policy; also deploring the fact that international competitiveness is the declared aim of R& D policy while concern for the environment has not been given sufficient attention,

1. Notes that in the present economic growth model growing technical innovation may on the one hand result in job losses by automating monotonous and limited work, but on the other hand create a number of jobs in other sectors;

2. Takes the view that technological innovation can help solve environmental problems by making more efficient use of raw materials and energy and avoiding the emission of pollutants;

3. Considers that to achieve this objective of sustainable development, the R& D effort must address the following subjects, among others: (a) analysis of the growing interconnection between the social and economic processes and the natural environment; (b) designing new processes for using raw materials and energy, manufacturing goods and recycling products that will reduce the adverse effects of the present economic growth model;

4. Considers that the social and cultural environment should exert a fundamental influence on transition from the model of consumption of increasingly ephemeral goods to one which encourages the use of durable, robust, recyclable and biodegradable goods;

5. Calls on the Commission to incorporate in all the programmes financed by the EU, especially the Fifth Framework Programme, the SD criteria as guiding references for R& TD activities and takes the view that growth must be sustainable in nature; European R& D policy needs therefore to be based not only on economic growth, but also, and in particular, on what is ecologically and socially sustainable;

6. Confirms that an essential element of the SD model must derive from the global options which society chooses with regard to energy, the encouragement of renewable resources and heat recovery from non-recyclable waste;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission.