Sustainable Innovation across Key Sectors and Societal Challenge 5- Insights from and for Belgium

The European Union (EU) targets growth based on smart, sustainable and inclusive economies, which can be promoted through profound changes in the European economic sectors largely spurred by the increasing importance and penetration of ICT throughout the European societies. Opportunities for industrial sectors to renew themselves are largely provided by sustainable innovations. This policy brief looks at the sectoral relevance of the SI initiatives collected in the CASIPEDIA against the challenges of climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials. The policy brief discusses how key policy developments at the national level are related to SI and connects the sectoral analysis on SC5 with policy developments at the national level. Energy policy in Flanders turns to wind and solar development. This corresponds with CASI evidence that energy research and development merits attention in the context of climate action. Accompanying energy policies and policy measures consider resource efficiency, public participation and raw materials. Environmental considerations remain rather absent from the Flemish energy policy debate.