CEP is supporting the characterisation of priority emerging issues as part of the second annual cycle of the EU foresight system to detect emerging environmental issues
In our role of providing the secretariat for the EU Commission’s Foresight System for the detection of emerging environmental issues (FORENV), CEP is now leading the characterisation of ten priority emerging issues.
Now in its’ second annual cycle, this cycle of FORENV is focussing on identifying and characterising Emerging - economic, business, technological and social - innovations in the Green economy of the Future. This topic was selected by the European Commission and relates to the need to move away from the current linear (take-make-dispose) economy to one that is climate neutral and in which growth is decoupled from resource use, as reflected in the European Green Deal. The importance of understanding and planning for emerging risks is also highlighted by the current Covid-19 pandemic.
CEP facilitated a series of sense-making workshops held in January and February 2020 from which the ten priority emerging issues were identified. The issues represent a range of social, technological and economic developments that may become more important in coming years and decades, with implications for Europe’s environment and policy. For example, how might the sharing economy evolve and develop, in what ways will society and communities interact with a new circular economy, and what might be the future green economy tax and finance regime?
More information on FORENV can be found on the European Commission website, where a short video presenting the FORENV method is also now available.
The final report for the first annual cycle has been published, together with infographics for each of the 10 emerging issues to help communicate the FORENV process and outcomes to a wide audience.
The methodology used for FORENV, which was developed for the European Commission through a project led by CEP, has also been published.
For further information please contact Owen White (Technical Director) or Paula Orr (Technical Director).