European Science Advice for Policy

acatech is the coordinator of the EU project SAPEA – Science Advice for Policy by European Academies. Since November 2016, five European academies are part of the European Commission’s Scientific Advisory Mechanism (SAM) within the framework of the SAPEA project. Politically relevant scientific questions are dealt with in an interdisciplinary and independent manner based on state-of-the-art scientific evidence. The SAPEA Evidence Reports form the scientific basis for the opinions of the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA) to the College of European Commissioners.

Addressing the global dimension of the energy transition

Germany is still one of the pioneers of the energy transition. However, international cooperation is indispensable if we are to achieve a lasting transition that promotes global climate protection. As long ago as 2012, acatech highlighted the need for Europe to establish an efficient funding framework for decarbonisation, stressing the key role played by the price of CO2 emissions. Carbon pricing’s effectiveness as a management tool was also underlined by the Euro-CASE energy platform in its position paper “Reform Options for the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)”, for which acatech Member Ottmar Edenhofer acted as the lead author. Its fundamental importance is also alluded to in the ESYS project’s recent position paper on “sector coupling”. In order to achieve the energy transition, countries around the world will need to cooperate and learn from each other. This provided the motivation for the joint acatech and BDI initiative “The transformation of energy systems in an international perspective”. Delegations travelled to the US and Asia, giving representatives of government, industry, academia and the media the opportunity to engage in discussions with international partners. Furthermore, in 2018, acatech and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) organised a seminar in Brussels on “Policy options for a reliable European electricity system”.

Academies around the world

acatech works with the other members of the international academy association CAETS to provide advice to governments and international organisations. Together, the academies foster public understanding of the applications of technology and promote the improvement of engineering education, collaborating in international projects on topical themes.

Many other countries share our visions and goals for the digital transformation. International cooperation is essential if we are to develop solutions that not only support active and wide-ranging discussions between the responsible actors in science, industry and government, but also deliver a lasting global impact.

Prof. Dr. Michael Dowling, acatech Member and Chairman of the Board of the MÜNCHNER KREIS, University of Regensburg

CAETS is particularly active in the areas of energy and the environment. acatech has led the Energy Working Group since acatech member Frank Behrendt took over as its chair in November 2017. The group is currently drafting a report that presents a global perspective on “Energy Technologies for a Climate-Friendly Future”.

Targeted networking strengthens innovation in Germany

In addition to its work with the various academy associations, acatech also cultivates networks both at European level and with countries such as China, the USA, Korea and Japan. It engages in especially close collaboration in the field of digitalisation, helping to strengthen innovation and competitiveness in Germany.

In his capacity as Global Representative and Advisor of Germany’s Plattform Industrie 4.0, Henning Kagermann works to strengthen the dialogue between stakeholders from science, industry and government. On 7 November 2017, he gave the keynote speech at the international forum “Innovation and Emerging Industries Development” in Shanghai. In addition to providing an overview of the strategic projects coordinated by acatech – “Industrie 4.0 – The Future of Industrial Work”, “Smart Service Welt” and the Plattform Lernende Systeme – he made the case for cross-company and cross-sectoral cooperation in digital platforms.

Working together to promote innovation

acatech cooperates with the UN World Food Programme to bring together innovators and industry, especially through the WFP Innovation Accelerator.

The Accelerator supports the identification and development of innovative technologies through sprint programmes, mentoring and innovation funding.

The WFP Innovation Accelerator Pitch Night is the culmination of a five-day innovation boot camp. In this intensive training course, start-ups and WFP project groups work on the implementation of their ideas together with external mentors from industry.

Bilateral cooperation with academies and other organisations

In addition to its participation in the academy associations, acatech cultivates bilateral institutional relations with academies of engineering and certain other organisations such as foundations and think tanks in Europe and the rest of the world. acatech currently has cooperation agreements with academies in Switzerland, France, India and China.