Coordinators :

Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO)
Flemish Institute for Technological Research

Dr. TORFS Rudi
Integrated Environmental Studies
Boeretang 200
B-2400 Mol

Tel: +32 (0) 14 33.58.66/38
Fax: +32 (0) 14.32.11.85

Rudi.Torfs@vito.be
http://www.vito.be

Member of the team: Jurgen BUEKERS (jurgen.buekers@vito.be)

Vito (Integrated Environmental Studies) has a proven track record in the field of environmental health risk assessment and environmental policy support. Vito is responsible for the development of case studies, and the integration of scientific disciplines into a common methodology.

Financed partner :

SPIRAL - Université de Liège
Prof. Dr. ZWETKOFF Catherine

Scientific and Public Involvement in Risk Allocations Laboratory (SPIRAL)
7, Boulevard du Rectorat
B-4000 Liège

Tel: +32 (0)4 366.30.12
Fax: +32 (0)4 366.29.82
czwetkoff@ulg.ac.be
Site : http://www.spiral.ulg.ac.be

Members of the team :

SPIRAL is a multidisciplinary laboratory which has developed its expertise around risk studies and participatory methods. SPIRAL is responsible for organizing the survey of value data and assessing the policy decisional frame.

Members of the Follow-up Committee :

  • Robby Berloznik - Vlaams Instituut voor Wetenschappelijk en Technologisch Aspectenonderzoek
  • Pierre Biot - SPF Santé publique, Sécurité de la Chaîne alimentaire et Environnement
  • Marc Bogaert - Vlaamse Overheid
  • Alain Bozet - Ministère de la Région Wallonne
  • Karina De Beule - Openbare Vlaamse Afvalstoffenmaatschappij
  • Anneleen De Smedt - Milieu-en Natuurraad van Vlaanderen
  • Gilbert Eggermont - Centre d’Etudes de l’Energie
  • Maja Mampaey - AMINAL
  • Koen Moerman - Service public fédéral de programmation Développement durable
  • Bob Nieuwejaers - Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap
  • Francis Noyen - Milieu-en Natuurraad van Vlaanderen
  • Véronique Paternostre - Inter-Environnement Wallonie
  • Catherine Rousseau - Centre de Recherche et d'Information des Organisations de Consommateurs (CRIOC)
  • J.-P. Van Steenberghe - Ministerie van het Brussels Hoofdstedelijk gewest
  • Marleen Van Steertegem - Vlaamse Milieu Maatschappij
  • Christine Vinkx - SPF Santé publique, Sécurité de la Chaîne alimentaire et Environnement
  • Frank Van Thillo - Mobiliteitsraad van Vlaanderen

This SCOPE project is financed through the research programme “Science for a Sustainable Development” (2005-2009), which was approved on 4 March 2005 by the Council of Ministers. This research programme is the continuation of the first and second Scientific Support Plan for a Sustainable Development Policy (SPSD I [1996-2001] and SPSD II [2000-2005]). It integrates new themes, namely "Health and Environment" and "Standardisation". But it maintains in general the objectives of SPSD II, namely:

  1. To preserve and develop the scientific potential in various strategically important areas, with the objective of reducing scientific uncertainties and anticipating future needs for knowledge;
  2. To offer the authorities of the country the scientific support required for the preparation, implementation, and follow-up of a supranational, federal, regional, or local policy in and between these areas;
  3. To offer the authorities of the country the scientific support required for the vertical (across policy levels) and horizontal policy integration (across policy domains) oriented towards a sustainable development;
  4. To offer the Belgian research potential in the areas involved the possibility of integrating itself into the various research initiatives at the European and international levels, in particular within the European Research Area.
  5. Contribute to developing scientific knowledge and instruments (models, concepts, indicators, etc.) aiming to the analysis of processes, the study of impacts; the development, follow-up, and evaluation of (existing and/or future) policy measures.
  6. Encourage interdisciplinary research so as to offer support to decision-making on the basis of an integration of different dimensions, perspectives, etc. of the issues concerned;
  7. Promote dialogue and information exchange between scientists, decision-makers, and other involved actors at all levels of the country as well as in a European and international context.

Description :

The priority research areas of the present program:

  • Energy - EN
  • Transport and mobility - TM
  • Agro-food - AF
  • Health and environment - HE
  • Climate (including Antarctica) - CA - CP - CS
  • Biodiversity (including Antarctica and the North Sea) - BD - BN
  • Atmosphere and terrestrial (including freshwater) and marine ecosystems (including Antarctica and the North Sea) - AT - NS
  • Transversal Research: In order to better translate/operationalise the concept of sustainable development, in and between the priority areas, transversal and generic research is necessary - TA
  • The goal of the research actions is to support specific decision-making in relation to both sector-related and trans-sectoral problems.