The Project Summary and Background

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SI4.0forEU will tackle an important policy issue and at the same time provide academic added value. The European Commission published in November 2018 its strategic vision for long-term emission reductions, “A Clean Planet for All”, where it strongly endorsed a net-zero vision for Europe by 2050 while also making an unprecedented link between the energy and industrial transitions. In March 2019, EU member states called on the European Commission to present, by the end of 2019, a long-term vision for the EU’s industrial future, with concrete measures to implement it. As half of total greenhouse gas emissions and more than 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress come from resource extraction and processing. The European Green Deal launched a concerted strategy for a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and competitive economy. Scaling up the Circular Economy (CE) from front-runners to the mainstream economic players will make a decisive contribution to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and decoupling economic growth from resource use while ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the EU and leaving no one behind. To fulfil this ambition, the EU needs to accelerate the transition towards a regenerative growth model that gives back to the planet more than it takes, advance towards keeping its resource consumption within planetary boundaries and therefore strive to reduce its consumption footprint and double its circular material use rate in the coming decade. The Module is conceived as an interdisciplinary approach to the Commission's (10) priorities for the 2030 Agenda where it is about the interconnection of some priorities related to the content of the Module, such as Priority 3 (related to the climate change policy), European Green Deal to make the EU's economy sustainable and the EU Digital strategy.

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Building on the single market and the potential of digital technologies, a sustainable industry, can strengthen the EU’s industrial base and foster business creation and entrepreneurship among SMEs. Innovative models based on a closer relationship with customers, mass customisation, the sharing and collaborative economy, and powered by digital technologies, such as the internet of things, big data, blockchain and artificial intelligence, will not only accelerate circularity but also the dematerialisation of our economy and make Europe less dependent on primary materials. For citizens, intertwined dimensions to sustainable development – society, environment and economy will provide high-quality, functional and safe products, which are efficient and affordable, last longer and are designed for reuse, repair, and high-quality recycling. A whole new range of sustainable services, product-as-service models and digital solutions will bring about a better quality of life, innovative jobs and upgraded knowledge and skills. 

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