The 2024 Spotlight Report underscores the significant contributions of the JRC to EU policy-making
Hear Ye, Hear Ye! The JRC's 2024 Highlights: A Year in Review
Whether it's battling cancer, shaping the AI landscape, or facilitating sustainable cities, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) has been a driving force across various EU initiatives. Let's take a look at the JRC's significant accomplishments as outlined in their latest annual report, the 2024 Highlights.
Empowering a clean and competitive EU industry
The JRC has been at the forefront of Europe's clean industrial transformation, launching the Innovation Centre for Industrial Transformation and Emissions (INCITE) in June 2024. This move bolstered the EU's competitiveness by offering insights into future grid capacity and identifying opportunities to strengthen clean energy technology.
Supporting safe and trustworthy artificial intelligence
The JRC played a pivotal role in shaping the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, which set a global standard for AI regulation, entering into force on 1 August 2024. With its neutral scientific support, the JRC informed all three EU institutions during the negotiations and continues to aid in the Act's implementation.
Making the battery value chain safe and sustainable
As batteries are integral to the EU's green and digital transitions, the new EU Battery Regulation aims to make the battery value chain more sustainable. The JRC has contributed by mapping the value chain, developing harmonized rules and standards, and creating methodologies to assess sustainability.
Maintaining Europe's nuclear competitiveness, safely
Nuclear power offers a low-carbon energy source, and the JRC provides technical and scientific support to facilitate innovative nuclear technology deployment, notably small modular reactors (SMR). These have the potential to contribute to EU countries' safe decarbonization efforts.
Enhancing EU secure communications in space
As part of the EU space programme, the JRC supports secure connectivity, providing technical assistance to the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS2).
Boosting citizen engagement to strengthen EU democracy
The JRC has been instrumental in guiding policymakers and public administrations to foster citizen engagement and participatory democracy within the EU. It contributed to the Commission's 'Defence of Democracy' package, advised on citizen engagement, and played a role in creating the Commission's online deliberative platform.
Assessing drought risks, monitoring agricultural conditions
With droughts becoming increasingly severe and frequent in Europe, the JRC's research enhance understanding and offers actionable information on ongoing and expected droughts, as well as improved monitoring of agricultural conditions and soil health.
Shaping the 2040 climate targets
The JRC's research has played a vital role in helping the EU meet ambitious climate change targets, including the Commission's recommendation for a 90% emissions reduction goal by 2040.
Preventing a future health crisis
The JRC has been leading the fight against antimicrobial resistance, developing new methodologies to detect antibiotic residues in animal feed and monitoring waterways for potential antimicrobial resistance-triggers.
Helping Europe beat cancer
The JRC has been a significant contributor to Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, releasing the European Quality Assurance Scheme for Breast cancer services to improve early detection and care throughout Europe, and publishing pioneering research on nuclear treatment for prostate cancer in the Lancet Oncology.
Making cities more sustainable
As urbanization and climate change accelerate, the JRC has been working tirelessly to make cities more sustainable, supporting the New European Bauhaus initiative, which encourages local engagement, and providing scientific backing to the Covenant of Mayors and the EU Cities Mission.
The JRC's first pan-European assessment of the current and projected excess mortality resulting from temperature change was published in the Lancet journal in 2024, providing crucial insights to policymakers and authorities about potential challenges to public health systems during extreme heat and cold periods.
In conclusion, the JRC's role as the European Commission's science and knowledge service allows it to provide evidence-based scientific and technical support to EU policies across various sectors, including energy, climate, environment, and health. While the specific contributions of the JRC to these initiatives are not comprehensively detailed, its work is instrumental in fostering a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable EU. So, here's to another year of breakthroughs and progress, JRC! Keep up the phenomenal work!
- The JRC has paved the way for sustainability in the EU industry, launching INCITE, strengthening clean energy technology, and increasing grid capacity.
- In the realm of artificial intelligence, the JRC played a critical part in establishing global standards, shaping the AI Act, and providing support during negotiations.
- To make the battery value chain more eco-friendly, the JRC has mapped the chain, developed standards, and established methodologies for sustainability assessment.
- The JRC is crucial in maintaining Europe's nuclear competitiveness, offering technical support for innovative nuclear technology deployment, such as small modular reactors (SMR).
- The JRC contributes to secure space communication, providing assistance for the EU's IRIS2 infrastructure.
- Boosting citizen engagement is key for strengthening EU democracy, with JRC guidance helping policymakers foster participatory democracy.
- With droughts on the rise, the JRC's research helps monitor agricultural conditions, soil health, and predict and mitigate the effects of drought.
- The JRC's work helps shape the EU's climate targets, contributing to the Commission's 90% emissions reduction goal by 2040.
- The JRC plays a vital role in preventing future health crises, combating antimicrobial resistance, and monitoring waterways for potential resistance triggers.
- The JRC is a significant contributor to Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, focusing on early detection and care improvement, and publishing groundbreaking research on nuclear cancer treatment.
- To make cities more sustainable, the JRC supports initiatives like the New European Bauhaus and provides scientific backing for the Covenant of Mayors and the EU Cities Mission.
- The JRC's research provides crucial insights on the impact of temperature change on public health systems, publishing findings in the Lancet journal.
- The JRC's role in energy policy extends to supporting a clean and competitive EU industry, setting the stage for a greener future.
- By establishing global standards for AI, the JRC's work spans beyond the EU, influencing AI regulation worldwide.
- The JRC's work on batteries encompasses the entire value chain, including the development of harmonized rules and methodologies for sustainability assessments.
- With nuclear power as a low-carbon energy source, the JRC's support for innovative nuclear technology placement is essential for the EU's decarbonization efforts.
- The JRC's role in improving mental health extends to supporting workplace wellness, tackling medical conditions like chronic diseases, and promoting health and wellness.
- The JRC's research in digital health addressing various aspects, including cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive health, and eye health, is instrumental in health promotion and disease prevention.
- The JRC's work on hearing disorders and therapies and treatments for various medical conditions, including cancers and chronic diseases, is key to improving the quality of life for EU citizens.
- In the realm of fitness and exercise, the JRC's research is vital for promoting health and wellness through physical activity and improving overall public health.
- The JRC's work in sexual health education and promoting sexual and reproductive health rights is essential for improving the overall wellbeing of EU citizens.
- The JRC's research on autoimmune disorders is pivotal for early detection, improving treatment options, and addressing the root causes of these conditions.
- The JRC's commitment to addressing climate change extends to various sectors, including finance, energy, and environmental science, and supporting the transition towards a sustainable, climate-neutral economy.
- The JRC's work in manufacturing, particularly sustainable manufacturing, is essential for reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency, fostering a more circular economy.
- In the realm of men's health, the JRC's research is crucial for addressing issues like prostate cancer and promoting overall wellbeing among men.
- Skin care is an essential aspect of the JRC's work, addressing skin conditions and promoting the safe use of cosmetic products in the EU.
- The JRC's work in neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, is essential for developing targeted therapies, improving diagnosis, and promoting overall brain health.
- The JRC's role in environmental science is crucial for addressing global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, and finding sustainable solutions.
- The JRC's work in retail is instrumental in promoting sustainable and responsible business practices, reducing the industry's environmental footprint, and fostering consumers' trust.
- Entrepreneurship, venture capital, and wealth management are key areas where the JRC's expertise can contribute to fostering innovation, promoting sustainable growth, and improving financial wellbeing for all EU citizens.
