Commission presents Green Paper on EU Space Policy
European commission
On
21 January 2003, European
Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin
unveiled
the Commission's much-anticipated Green
Paper on EU Space Policy.
This key document, prepared in co-operation with the European
Space Agency (ESA)
,
tackles key issues ranging from the EU's independent access to space to international
competition to the environment and security. With its publication, the Commission
launched a consultation process amonf all stakeholders, including national
and international organisations, the European space industry, the scientific
community and the general public. The results of this consultation are now
helping to shape the EU's response to competitive and security challenges,
to be detailed in a forthcoming White Paper.
Speaking
at the Grren Paper launch, Commissioner Busquin, "The dramatic expansion of
space research, coupled with new technological, commercial and security challenges
at global level, requires a radical reappraisal of Europe's role in space.
Reliance on national and inter-governmental structures has served Europe well
in the past. However, globalisation, increasing commercial challenges and emerging
threats to the security of citizens now demand that we move forward. Becoming
a true space power is a matter of political will, as well as of technological
excellence. To deliver on the promises of space we need a strong, consistent
space policy, with a clear legal basis in the EU Treaty. This Green Paper is
a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to make their voices heard, and to
help develop the tools Europe needs to conquer mankind's 'final frontier'".
European
Enterprise Commissioner Erkki
Liikanen
added,
"EU-wide action is needed to create a coherent policy for space activities.
Space is important for European citizens, because it is one of the fundamental
elements of the information society. The European Space sector, currently employing
30,000 people, has been directly responsible for a number of innovations used
in other fields and is thus a significant source of new technologies."
Europe:
a leader in space
Building
on decades of space research, Europe has largely achieved self-sufficiency
in space technology, and has become a leading commercial player, particularly
in the production and deployment of launchers and space platforms. It is a
world leader in innovative satellite monitoring applications. Placed in orbit
by European launchers, European satellites provide businesses, public authorities
and individuals with services such as better telecommunications, more sustainable
transport and mobility, monitoring of climate change and faster response to
natural disasters.
A
breeding ground for cutting-edge research and innovation in the knowledge society,
space applications are growth- and competitiveness-boosters for European companies.
They provide new markets for European enterprises, as well as benefits for
European citizens, in areas such as land use planning, agriculture and fisheries
management, sustainable transport, civil security and response to emergencies.
However,
Europe's space industry is facing considerable challenges. Global competitive
pressures and increased commercialisation of space is leading to significant
restructuring of the space sector in Europe and worldwide. The traditional
balance in Europe between space commercial and public services is coming under
increasing pressure. The present organisation and financing arrangements are
equally experiencing difficulties. In particular, Europe faces a rapidly widening
investment gap between what it spends on research in comparison to the US.
The US spend nearly six times as much as Europe on research and account for
nearly 80% of world spending in this area, including both civil and military
applications.
The
GALILEO
project
has also experienced some delays. With outstanding issues now resolved its
launch is expected to go ahead by 2008, as planned, but a new, more cohesive
and consistent space policy at EU level will help to avoid such delays.
A
new role for the European Union
Until
now, space policy has been managed exclusively at national and intergovernmental
levels. The European Space Agency, with its unique knowledge base, has played
a strong co-ordinating role in Europe's successful efforts to consolidate its
industrial base and to achieve technological independence. It is largely responsible
for creating Europe's launcher and platform capacities, making it a world leader
in a highly competitive commercial field.
However,
to respond to present and future challenges, Europe needs a new, more comprehensive
approach, integrating space 'hardware' such as rockets and satellites as well
as space services and applications. To ensure maximum efficiency in decision-making
and use of resources, traditional roles should also be revised.
Space
has become a crucial component for implementing European objectives and policies,
notably sustainable development, environmental protection, transport and mobility
and the information society. Space applications also provide answers to emerging
security needs, with both civilian and defence aspects encompassed by the EU
Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security and Defence
Policy (ESDP).
The
GALILEO
satellite
positioning and navigation project and the GMES
(Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security)
initiative,
illustrate this new approach and underline the need for an enhanced role for
the Union in space. They show how industrial and technological successes achieved
by ESA can be fully exploited through complementary space initiatives, where
the European Commission has developed solid expertise through its research
programmes, notably in applications for sustainable development and the security
of citizens.
The
Commission has, for instance, developed effective satellite-based environmental
screening systems, to detect and help prevent offshore oil spills and other
hazards. Another example of EU-sponsored space projects concerns satellite
mapping of remote regions, such as in Afghanistan, where EU aid and rescue
teams were able to reach isolated villages in the aftermath of the 2001 earthquake,
thanks to accurate satellite positioning and mapping services.
Fully
integrating space into Union competence is therefore a logical step. This would
open up a vast range of new applications for industry and citizens and make
the most of available resources from the public and private sectors. This would
also help clarify pending organisation and institutional issues, and add strong
focus and clear political backing to space activities.
The
consultation
While
it is clear that no single Member State can support an independent space policy,
developing a coherent EU Space Policy poses a number of complex and sensitive
questions. The aim of the Green Paper has been to foster in-depth debate involving
all stakeholders. Its objective was to increase general awareness of the strategic
importance of space and space policy for the Union and its citizens, to define
areas of consensus, and to find concrete answers for questions concerning access,
funding, and institutional arrangements.
The
consultation ran from 22 January to 30 May 2003 and was organised by the joint
Commission/ESA Task Force. It included a series of seminars, workshops and
hearings. A dedicated Web
Forum
was
also set up allowing contributions to be made on-line. Based on the results
of the consultation, an action plan in the form of a White Paper on the Future
of Europe in Space is now being prepared. It will be published later in the
year.
Facts
& Figures about the consultation process (PDF file 301 Kb)
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