Horizon Europe: Fueling innovation for a sustainable future

Horizon Europe: Fueling innovation for a sustainable future | Photo: Guillaume Perigois

Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship funding programme for research and innovation, is a key instrument in driving Europe’s transition to a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive future. Launched in 2021, with a budget of approximately €95.5 billion, Horizon Europe is designed to support projects tackling global challenges while enhancing European competitiveness. The programme runs until 2027 and focuses on promoting cutting-edge scientific research, addressing global issues such as climate change and health, and fostering innovation. Its impact is profound, influencing not only Europe but also the broader global landscape in terms of sustainability and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The pillars of Horizon Europe: A focus on innovation and sustainability

Horizon Europe is structured around three main pillars, each targeting crucial areas of research and development. The first pillar, Excellent Science, aims to fund high-quality, fundamental research. This includes support for the European Research Council (ERC), which underpins the most promising scientific projects, encouraging the advancement of frontier science in areas such as quantum technologies, healthcare innovations, and environmental sustainability.

The second pillar, Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness, tackles urgent global challenges, such as climate change, clean energy, and digitalisation. This pillar focuses on integrating research outcomes into the market, enhancing the EU’s industrial competitiveness and ensuring a transition to a low-carbon economy. Within this framework, projects related to climate action, food security, and public health have been prioritized. For instance, the EU has committed to funding green technologies, aiming for a carbon-neutral Europe by 2050 in alignment with the European Green Deal.

The third pillar, Innovative Europe, is designed to foster innovation by supporting the early-stage market introduction of breakthrough technologies. This includes the development of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, renewable energy technologies, and smart agriculture solutions. By promoting collaboration across universities, research centres, businesses, and government agencies, Horizon Europe is helping to drive Europe’s digitalisation efforts and encouraging innovation in industries that contribute to sustainable growth.

A driving force behind sustainable development

Horizon Europe’s initiatives are closely aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those addressing environmental sustainability, health, and inclusivity. For example, its focus on climate change and renewable energy directly contributes to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Horizon Europe funds projects that aim to develop clean energy technologies, such as advanced solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage systems, which are essential for the global transition towards renewable energy.

In the realm of public health, Horizon Europe’s funding has enabled significant research into pandemic preparedness, mental health, and healthcare systems strengthening. As Europe grapples with the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Horizon Europe has supported the development of vaccines and therapeutics, while also focusing on health equity and universal healthcare access. These initiatives contribute directly to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Furthermore, Horizon Europe helps tackle SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by promoting food security initiatives, such as precision farming techniques and sustainable agriculture practices. Projects in this area aim to ensure food sustainability while reducing environmental impacts, such as water waste and soil depletion.

Real-world examples of Horizon Europe's impact

Several successful projects funded by Horizon Europe have already demonstrated how research and innovation can directly contribute to achieving the SDGs. For instance:

·       The European Green Deal Call: This call funded climate-neutral and sustainable mobility projects, such as the development of clean hydrogen technologies. One notable project is the H2SEnT (Hydrogen Storage for Efficient Transport) initiative, which is focused on creating innovative hydrogen storage solutions to reduce CO2 emissions and improve the transport sector's sustainability, contributing directly to SDG 13 (Climate Action).

·       The Horizon 2020-funded ‘Farm to Fork’ Strategy: This project, now extended into Horizon Europe, aims to make Europe’s food system fair, healthy, and environmentally-friendly. It supports farmers, food producers, and businesses in their transition towards more sustainable practices, directly supporting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

·       The LIFE Programme: An integral part of Horizon Europe, the LIFE programme finances projects focused on nature conservation, biodiversity protection, and the transition to a circular economy. One example is the Waste2Bio project, which focuses on converting waste into biofuels, reducing landfill waste and promoting renewable energy, thus contributing to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

·       The EIT Health Initiative: Horizon Europe has supported this project, which brings together various healthcare innovators to improve health systems, accelerate medical technology, and address public health challenges such as mental health. This aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and also promotes SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) by ensuring equitable access to healthcare solutions.

Collaborative innovation across borders

One of the defining features of Horizon Europe is its emphasis on international collaboration. The programme encourages partnerships not just within the EU, but also with non-EU countries. This is particularly important when addressing global challenges like climate change and pandemic control, which require a collective, global approach. By involving multiple stakeholders, Horizon Europe fosters a culture of collaboration that transcends national borders, ensuring that innovations and solutions can be scaled and applied globally.

The success of this collaborative model is exemplified by the European Space Agency’s Earth observation projects, which use satellite data to monitor environmental changes such as deforestation, desertification, and pollution. Such efforts play a pivotal role in SDG 15 (Life on Land), which is essential for ensuring the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems.

Looking forward: The future of Horizon Europe

With the current programme running until 2027, Horizon Europe is already paving the way for a more sustainable, inclusive, and innovative Europe. Future projects are set to focus even more on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data, as well as new approaches to circular economies and sustainable manufacturing.

The programme's commitment to climate action and sustainable development remains crucial as Europe works to meet the ambitious targets set by the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal. Horizon Europe’s budget for the 2021–2027 period demonstrates the EU’s serious commitment to these goals, with a significant portion of funds allocated to climate-related projects.

Horizon Europe is more than just a research funding programme; it is a powerful tool for promoting sustainability and innovation within the EU, while addressing critical global challenges. By funding projects that target climate change, health, digitalisation, and food security, Horizon Europe is advancing the EU’s competitiveness on the global stage, while contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.

Through continued international collaboration, Horizon Europe is playing a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient world. The programme’s commitment to driving innovation and addressing global challenges ensures that Europe will remain at the forefront of the transition to a green and inclusive future. Continued efforts to accelerate innovation, promote sustainability, and address global challenges will be crucial in the coming years.

For more information on how Horizon Europe supports global innovation and sustainability efforts, explore additional resources on the EU’s commitment to the SDGs and global collaboration.

More information: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/index_en