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"Chemistry for a Better Life"

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Proceedings of the STOA workshop "Chemistry for a Better Life" A STOA workshop, co‐organised with the European Association for Molecular Science (EuCheMS) and the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) Held on the 9 November 2011, 15:00‐18:30, in the European Parliament Chaired by Teresa Riera Madurell, Member of the European Parliament Table of contents 1. Foreword p.2 2. Introduction p.4 3. Programme of the workshop p.5 4. Contents of the discussions p.6 5. Conclusions of the discussions p.25 6. Biographies of the speakers p.26 7. "Everything is chemistry" exhibition p.35 8. Organisations represented in the Workshop p.39 PE 482.691 1 Foreword Under the theme "Chemistry ‐ our life our future", the International Year of Chemistry (IYC 2011) is an international celebration of the achievements of this science and its contribution to the well‐ being of humankind. On behalf of the European Parliament, we did not want to miss the opportunity both to collaborate in this celebration, and contribute towards increasing public awareness about the importance of this science. Chemistry is a central science not only due to its significant connections with other sciences but also owing to its impact upon almost every aspect of our lives. Chemistry is responsible for everything, from modern food and drugs to plastics and computers. The knowledge derived from this scientific discipline allows us to better understand the current world as well as how to change and improve it. Chemistry is involved in everything, without Chemistry we would not exist. It is present in our bodies, in our clothes but also in the air we breathe everyday. Chemistry contributes significantly towards finding solutions to Europe’s current and future challenges. It strives to consolidate resource efficiency, as well as develop alternative energy sources in order to tackle climate change and reduce our dependence on external imports, thus maintaining our quality of life on a path to sustainable development. This is the reason why we decided to give this STOA Workshop the title "Chemistry for a Better Life". Furthermore, we should not forget that the Chemical Industry is a strategic sector in Europe with more than 25,000 related businesses which employ, directly or indirectly, around 5 million citizens. In a context of financial and economic crisis, the contribution of Chemistry to our economy must not be disregarded. For all these reasons, research into Chemistry must not only be maintained but also increased in Europe. As Marie Curie once said: "Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less". I strongly believe we still need to better understand our world and Chemistry has a lot to say. Ms Teresa Riera Madurell 2 Ms Teresa Riera Madurell MEP (Spain, S&D) University full Professor , graduate in mathematics, University of Barcelona (1974); Doctorate in mathematics (cum laude) (1981), Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC); Director of the Business and Computer Sciences School University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) (1986‐1990);Associate Vice‐Chancellor, (UIB) (1991‐1994); Visiting Researcher, Carnegie Mellon University (1989);Research Associate, University of California (Berkeley, 1981 ‐1982); Published many research articles in specialized scientific journals and proceedings of national and international conferences; Author of books and articles on didactics and scientific outreach of mathematics. Co‐director of the UIB‐Gender Studies Summer University; Fields of research: Multiple valued logics, approximate reasoning, possibility theory and its applications to artificial intelligence; Joined the PSC‐PSOE in 1978, the FETE‐UGT union in 1980 and the PSIB‐PSOE in 1997; Press Secretary (1988‐1991) and Secretary of women rights (1991‐1994) in the PSIB‐PSOE Executive Committee; President of the PSIB‐PSOE (1994‐1997); Member of the Federal Executive Committee of the PSOE (1996‐2000); Member of the Federal Guarantees Committee of the PSOE (2000‐2004); Member of the Parliament of the Balearic Islands and Member of Mallorca Island Council (1989‐ 1996); Member of the Congress of Deputies (1996‐2004), spokesperson of the Women’s Rights Congress‐ Senate Committee and the Science and Technology Committee, and Member of the Defence and the Foreign Affairs Committee; Member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (2000‐2004), being Vice‐chair of the Science and Technology Committee and later General Reporter; Member of the Spanish Congress of Deputies (1996‐2004) Member of PES Women Standing Committee (2004‐2009). Since 2002 General Secretary of the Iberoamerican Union of Science, Technology and Enterprise and Vice‐Chair of Mediterranean International Laboratory for Peaceful Coexistence Studies. Member of the European Parliament (MEP) (2004‐ ) UUU2004‐2009: member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and of the Committee of Women Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) as well as substitute member on the Committee of Agriculture and Rural Development. Member of Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the ASEAN and substitute member of Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and of the delegation for relations with South Asian Association for Regional Co‐operation (SAARC); Since 2009: socialist spokesperson of ITRE committee, substitute member on the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (Committee on Foreign Affairs), member of Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and ASEAN and member of the Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Substitute member of Delegation to the EU‐Armenia, EU Azerbaijan and EU‐Georgia Parliamentary Cooperation Committees and member of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly. 3 Introduction The aim of the workshop, organized by STOA in cooperation with the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences (EuCheMS) and the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), was to highlight in the framework of the International Year of Chemistry 2011 the crucial contribution of this science towards achieving a better quality of life and welfare for humankind. Chemistry is fully committed to come up with solutions to Europe’s pressing problems, such as fostering resource efficiency, developing alternative energy portfolios, redressing the consequences of climate change, improving our health conditions and assuring food supply for a growing population. Chemistry is central to progress in many scientific and technological fields. Working with a wide range of experts, EuCheMS has published a Roadmap highlighting key areas where advances in chemistry are needed to tackle some of the ‘Grand Challenges’ underlined by the Lund Declaration of 2009. Chemistry, both as an industry and a science, will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the European Union is able to realise its vision of an ‘Innovation Union’. A strong partnership between academic, research and industry will ensure that research is transferred to economic solutions that contribute to society welfare. The workshop was opened by a keynote speech from Prof. Avelino Corma, Instituto de Technología Química, Valencia, followed by three Panel Sessions. Discussions between the panel members, MEPs and participants provided the opportunity to engage in an open discussion on the role and expectations of chemistry in the Common Strategic Framework. 4 Workshop programme 15:00 ‐ 15:15 Opening: Ms Teresa RIERA MADURELL, MEP 15:15 ‐ 16:00 Key note speech: Prof. Avelino Corma, Instituto de Technología Química, Valencia 16:00 ‐ 16:10 Introduction of the roadmap for chemical sciences “Chemistry: developing solutions in a changing world” Prof. Ulrich Schubert, EuCheMS 16:10 ‐ 17:10 Session 1: Innovation Union: Chemistry, Technologies and CSF, Panel discussion with Prof. Dr. Dieter Jahn, BASF Panel members: ‐ Ms Maria da Graça Carvalho, MEP ‐ Dr. Nineta Majcen, Secretary General, EuCheMS ‐ Dr. Gernot Klotz,Executive Director Research and Innovation, CEFIC ‐ Dr. Gabor Mihaly Nagy, European Research Council Executive Agency ‐ Mr Chris Allen, DG Enterprise 17:10 ‐ 17:40 Session 2: Chemistry for Resource Efficiency, Panel discussion with Prof. Dr. Nicola Armaroli, CNR Bologna Panel members: ‐ Dr. Klaus Sommer, Bayer, Chairman of SusChem ‐ Dr. Søren Bøwadt, DG Research 17:40 ‐ 18:25 Session 3: Chemistry for Smart Living, Panel discussion with Richard Allan, Scottish Water Horizons Panel members: ‐ Ms Edit Herczog, MEP ‐ Prof. Dr. Krzysztof Maruszewski, DG JRC ‐ Ms Aurora Walsh, European Young Chemists' Network ‐ Mr Johannes Spork, Innovation Manager, CEFIC 18:25 ‐ 18:30 Closing remarks: Mr Antonio Correia de Campos, MEP 5 Contents of the discussions The workshop clearly presented the strength of the chemistry community in Europe and, in particular, its ability to provide sustainable solutions to address current societal issues. The meeting discussed the central role that chemistry plays in inspiring and driving innovation across the EU manufacturing sectors. This proved timely in the context of the political debate on the next European Research and Innovation Framework Programme (Horizon 2020), and the current economic crisis. Accelerating innovation is essential for enhanced European competitiveness and growth: chemical stakeholders have a leading role to play here, and are committed to these goals. Main points from the discussion There is a need to engage with the public / society to ‘show and tell’ what
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