Sustainability in Focus: A Look at European Union Projects
Sustainability in Focus: A Look at European Union Projects
In the evolving world, humans have been using natural resources to sustain their lives from the past to the present, resulting in significant damage to the environment. The Industrial Revolution has brought about great advancements in the world. Rapid population growth and technological advancements have led to increased production and utilization of resources. While increased production raises income levels, it also leads to more consumption and brings along various environmental issues. To overcome these issues, the importance of sustainability has increasingly grown over time. Sustainability is the ability to meet our present needs without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Also, sustainability is a complex concept that encompasses environmental, social and economic dimensions.
European Union has taken various steps towards the sustainability goals. Foremost among these is the European Green Deal. The Green Deal, presented by the European Commission on December 11, 2019, outlines the steps and objectives that the EU will take to address climate and environmental issues. It supports the transformation of the EU into a fair and prosperous society with a modern and competitive economy. The objectives within this strategy include:
- Ending greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,
- Achieving economic growth independent of resource use, and
- Ensuring that no individual or region is left behind.
The European Green Deal introduces an action plan that transitions to a clean and circular economy, supports the efficient and effective use of resources, improves biodiversity, and ends pollution. The action plan specifies the necessary investments in this regard and outlines how a fair and inclusive transformation can be achieved. As a result, projects aligned with the Green Deal benefit from significantly higher funding rates. These projects are supported by the following programs:
Horizon Europe:
Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion. It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth. The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports creating and better dispersing of excellent knowledge and technologies. Horizon Europe, which attaches special importance to sustainability, offers a wide range of funding and support opportunities for researchers and entrepreneurs in this field. For those working in areas such as green technologies, clean energy, and sustainable development, Horizon Europe has become one of Europe’s most significant sources of funding.
LIFE Programme:
The EU’s LIFE programme serves as a financial support mechanism for environmental initiatives and actions against climate change. Since its inception in 1992, it has contributed funding to over 5,500 projects spanning across the EU and beyond. Demonstrating its commitment, the Commission has bolstered funding for the LIFE programme by nearly 60% for the period of 2021–2027, now totaling €5.4 billion. The programme encompasses four key sub-programmes:
- Nature and biodiversity
- Circular economy and quality of life
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Clean energy transition.
Innovation Fund:
The Innovation Fund is a financing mechanism created by the European Union to promote the fight against climate change and the transition to clean energy. As of 2020, the total budget for the Innovation Fund has been set at €10 billion. This fund aims to support reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, and developing clean technologies by investing in innovative and large-scale projects. The Innovation Fund aims to contribute to the EU’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and accelerating the transition to a green economy. Applications go through a rigorous evaluation process to select and fund innovative and effective projects.
The importance of sustainability is clearly evident in the projects funded by the European Union. Key financing mechanisms not only support combating climate change and transitioning to clean energy but also promote environmental sustainability, economic development, and social well-being. These projects are designed to conserve resources to meet the needs of future generations and ensure the long-term prosperity of humanity. The European Union’s efforts in this regard are a critical step towards achieving global sustainability goals. In this context, the significance of these investments in building a sustainable future for Europe cannot be overstated.
Proses Makina is a company dedicated to sustainability, prioritizing environmentally conscious practices in its machinery and systems production. The company actively engages in developing solutions aimed at sustainability, ensuring that its products contribute positively to both industry and the environment. Moreover, Proses Makina plays an active role in projects funded by the European Union, further solidifying its commitment to sustainable development on a global scale. Through innovation and collaboration, Proses Makina continues to drive forward initiatives that not only meet the demands of modern industries but also align with the goals of a greener, more sustainable future.