51994PC0068(07)

Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research and technological development programme in the field of marine sciences and technologies (1994-1998) (94/C 228/07) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(94) 68 final - 94/0085(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission on 30 March 1994)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130 i (4) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,

Whereas, by Decision . . ./. . ./EC, the Council and the European Parliament adopted a Fourth Framework Programme of Community activities in the field of research, technological development and demonstration (RTD) for the period 1994-1998 specifying inter alia the activities to be carried out in the field of marine science and technology; whereas this Decision takes account of the grounds set out in the preamble to that Decision;

Whereas Article 130 i (3) of the Treaty specifies that the Framework Programme is to be implemented through Specific Programmes developed within each activity under the Framework Programme; whereas each specific programme must define the detailed rules for implementing it, fix its duration and provide for the means deemed necessary;

Whereas this programme may contribute appreciably to increased growth, competitiveness and employment in the Union, as indicated in the White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment (1);

Whereas this programme will be carried out mainly through shared-cost activities, concerted actions and preparatory, accompanying and support measures;

Whereas, in accordance with Article 130 i (3), an estimate should be made of the financial resources needed to carry out this Specific Programme; whereas the final amounts will be decided upon by the budgetary authority in accordance with the relative priority assigned to the areas covered by this programme within activity I under the Fourth Framework Programme;

Whereas Decision . . ./. . ./EC (Fourth Framework Programme) specifies that the overall maximum amount of the Fourth Framework Programme will be re-examined by no later than 30 June 1996 with a view to its being increased; whereas, as a consequence of that re-examination, the amount deemed necessary to carry out this programme could increase;

Whereas it is necessary to promote knowledge of the marine environment and its interaction with the other components of the biosphere, with a view to forecasting change, and to strengthen the technological basis of European industry with regard to the exploration, monitoring and sustainable exploitation of mankind's inheritance, the oceans;

Whereas the content of the Fourth Framework Programme for Community RTD activities was established in accordance with the subsidiarity principle; whereas this Specific Programme specifies the content of the activities to be carried out in accordance with this principle in the field of marine science and technology;

Whereas Decision . . ./. . ./EC (Fourth Framework Programme) lays down that Community action is justified if inter alia the research helps to reinforce the economic and social cohesion of the Union and to encourage its harmonious development while at the same time meeting the objective of scientific and technical quality; whereas this programme is intended to help meet these objectives;

Whereas this programme will help to strengthen synergy between the RTD activities carried out in the field of marine science and technology by research centres, universities and undertakings, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, in the Member States and between these and the corresponding Community RTD activities;

Whereas the rules for the participation of enterprises, research centres (including the JRC) and universities and the rules governing the dissemination of research results provided for in Article 130 j of the Treaty apply to this specific programme;

Whereas, in accordance with Article 130 m of the Treaty, it may be appropriate to engage in international cooperation activities with international organizations and third countries other than the countries covered by the EEA Agreement for the purpose of implementing this programme;

Whereas this programme also comprises activities for the dissemination and utilization of RTD results, in particular vis-à-vis small and medium-sized enterprises, and especially those located in the Member States or regions which participate least in the programme, as well as activities promoting the mobility and training of researchers within this programme to the extent necessary for the proper implementation of the programme;

Whereas provision should be made for measures to encourage the involvement of SMEs in this programme, in particular through technology promotion measures;

Whereas basic research in the field of marine science and technology should be encouraged owing to the need to understand the fundamental processes governing global change and the climate;

Whereas an assessment should be made of the economic and social impact and any technological risks associated with the activities carried out under this programme;

Whereas progress with this programme should be continuously and systematically monitored with a view to adapting it, where appropriate, to scientific and technological developments in this area; whereas in due course there should be an independent evaluation of progress with the programme so as to provide all the background information needed in order to determine the objectives of the Fifth RTD Framework Programme; whereas at the end of this programme there should be a final evaluation of the results obtained compared with the objectives set out in this Decision;

Whereas the JRC may participate in the indirect activities covered by this programme;

Whereas the JRC will also contribute, through its own programme of direct activities, to the attainment of the Community RTD objectives in the areas covered by this programme;

Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (Crest) has been consulted,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

A specific programme of research and technological development in the field of marine science and technology, as set out in Annex I, is hereby adopted for the period from (date of adoption of this programme) to 31 December 1998.

Article 2

1. The amount deemed necessary for carrying out the programme is ECU 228 million, including 6,7 % for staff and administrative expenditure.

2. An indicative breakdown of this amount is given in Annex II.

3. The amount deemed necessary for carrying out the programme, as indicated above, could increase as a result of and in accordance with the Decision referred to in Article 1 (3)of Decision . . ./. . ./EC (Fourth Framework Programme).

4. The budgetary authority shall determine the appropriations available for each financial year in accordance with the scientific and technological priorities set in the Fourth Framework Programme.

Article 3

Detailed rules for implementing this programme, in addition to those referred to in Article 5, are set out in Annex III.

Article 4

1. The Commission shall continually and systematically monitor, with appropriate assistance from independent, external experts, the progress within this programme in relation to the objectives set out in Annex I. It shall in particular assess whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still appropriate. Where appropriate, it shall submit proposals to adapt or supplement this programme depending on the results of this monitoring process.

2. In order to contribute to the overall assessment of Community activities provided for in Article 4 (2) of the Decision adopting the Fourth Framework Programme, the Commission shall, in due course, have an assessment made by independent experts of the activities carried out in the fields directly covered by this programme, and of their management during the five years preceding the assessment.

3. At the end of this programme, the Commission shall instruct independent experts to conduct a final evaluation of the results achieved compared with the objectives set out in Annex III to the Fourth Framework Programme and Annex I to this Decision. The final evaluation report shall be forewarded to the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee.

Article 5

1. A work programme shall be drawn up by the Commission in accordance with objectives set out in Annex I and shall be updated where appropriate. It shall set out in detail the scientific and technological objectives and specify the stages in the implementation of the programme and the proposed financial arrangements.

The work programme may also provide for participation in certain actions within the framework of Eureka.

2. The Commission shall issue calls for proposals for projects on the basis of the work programme.

Article 6

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme.

2. In the cases provided for in Article 7 (1) the Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

3. The Commission representative shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

4. The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.

5. The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

Article 7

1. The procedure laid down in Article 6 (2) shall apply to:

- the preparation and updating of the work programme referred to in Article 5 (1);

- the evaluation of RTD projects put forward for Community funding and of the estimated amount of project funding where this exceeds ECU 0,35 million;

- the measures to be taken to evaluate the programme;

- any adjustment to the indicative allocation of the amount appearing in Annex II which has not been the subject of a budgetary decision.

2. The Commission shall inform the committee, at each of its meetings, of progress with the implementation of the programme as a whole.

Article 8

The Commission is hereby authorized to negotiate, in accordance with Article 228 (1), international agreements with European third countries with a view to involving them in all or part of the programme.

Article 9

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

(1) COM(93) 700.

ANNEX I

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT

Introduction

The specific RTD programme on Marine Science and Technology (MAST III) fully reflects the approach embodied in the Fourth Framework Programme, applying its selection criteria and specifying its scientific and technological objectives.

Chapter 3 (introduction and paragraphs A and B) of Annex III, Activity 1 of the framework programme forms an integral part of this programme.

The MAST III programme extends, develops and refocuses the activities carried out under the first two MAST programmes, i.e. the pilot phase of 1989-1992 and the MAST II programme 1991-1994. For the period considered, it is a step in a longer term strategy which will enable Europe to make a full contribution to the knowledge and management of the oceans.

The programme comprises four areas of activity: (1) marine science - while this topic generally covers all the seas surrounding the EEA (including the Arctic ocean), much of the research will be organized in a multidisciplinary approach to problems which are specific to each regional sea and to extreme marine environment, (2) strategic marine research, with emphasis on the coastal zone, on socio-economic impact and on risk, (3) marine technology and (4) supporting initiatives.

The programme implements various provisions of the Commission's working document COM(93) 459 and the White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment COM(93) 700.

1. It specifically addresses a number of problems, such as global change and coastal zone protection, which are considered to be priorities on a European scale. Close linkage with corresponding activities under the Environment and Climate programme and in the JRC should produce the necessary synergies and serve to highlight interactions between the major compartments of the biosphere (land, atmosphere and sea).

2. In the section on marine technology, the programme acknowledges the importance of research into generic technologies and takes account of the gradual emergence of new needs, particularly in the sector of ocean and coastal observation and monitoring, with the aim of helping to promote growth in Europe. Enhanced synergy will be sought with Eureka, and especially with the umbrella project Euromar.

3. Through its coordination activities and supporting initiatives, the programme will help to enhance the profile and the cohesion of Europe's scientific community, streamline the integration of national activities with those undertaken at Union level and promote coordinated management of the infrastructures needed in research.

Whenever necessary, the programme will be implemented in close collaboration with other actions listed in the Framework Programme, i.e. the programmes and activities mentioned at 1 above, and also the programmes on 'Agriculture and Fisheries', 'Biotechnology', 'Non-nuclear Energy', 'Measurement and Testing', 'Industrial and Materials Technologies', 'Telematics', 'Transport', and 'Targeted Socio-economic Research'.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

To foster the scientific knowledge and technological development necessary to understand how marine systems function at basin scales, in order to prepare for sustainable use of the oceans and determine their role in global change.

Research Area I: Marine science

objective

To study the fundamental processes determining the dynamics of marine systems in the seas and oceans around Europe with a view to a better undrestanding of the marine environment and improved capability to forecast change.

(1) Marine Systems Research

objective

To study the physical, chemical, biological and geological processes and their interactions at basin scales, with emphasis on scientific problems relevant at the European level.

research tasks

1. Circulation and exchange of water masses: formation and spreading of ventilated and non-ventilated water masses on the continental slopes and in the deep basins of the eastern North Atlantic, its norther marginal seas and the Mediterranean; change of the physical, geochemical and biological properties of these water masses during spreading and mixing.

2. Pelagic and benthic ecosystems of marginal seas and ocean basins: structure and functioning of their living communities; energy and element cycling through foodwebs; biodiversity patterns in relation to biotic and abiotic factors.

3. Biogeochemical processes and fluxes across the air/sea interface: linkage of water and atmospheric processes and quantification of fluxes of organic matter, nutrients, gases and metals involved in air/sea exchange.

4. Flux of heat and organic and inorganic matter across the water/sediment interface: influence on ocean dynamics, energy balance, diagenesis of sediments and benthic and pelagic ecosystems.

5. Sedimentary processes in the deep sea and on the continental slope: transport and deposition on various time scales.

(2) Extreme marine environments

objective

To understand the functioning of ecosystems in extrene marine environments and to determine their role in the global environment by studying their characteristic physical, chemical, biological and geological processes.

research tasks

1. The deep-sea floor in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean:

Interdisciplinary studies at the base of the water column, of the sea-floor-water interface and of the sub-sea floor: quantification and long-term investigation in the spatial and temporal variability of biological, chemical and biogeochemical processes and fluxes (including hydrothermalism); geological and geophysical processes at active plate boundaries.

2. The ice-covered seas in the northern hemisphere:

Physical dynamics of sea ice; deep water formation; large-scale circulation, eddies and shelf processes in the Arctic; biological dynamics of sea-ice-systems and their particular role in the Arctic food webs, life cycle strategies of marine organisms in polar seas; vertical biogeochemical transfer processes and the impact of variability in pack ice coverage on the sea floor communities; sediment formation in ice-covered regions and the geological record as indicator of long-term ice cover change.

3. The surf and swash zone of European coasts:

Study of sub- and intertidal ecosystems in relation to the dominating physical forcing factors; morphological, physiological and ontogenetic adaptations of organisms; interactions of biological with physical, chemical and sedimentological factors which are relevant for formation, stabilization and alteration processes of the immediate shore line.

(3) Regional seas research

objective

To combine comprehensive, interdisciplinary large-scale process studies under a common objective in order to understand the functioning of entire inland seas or specific sub-areas of the eastern North-Atlantic.

research tasks

1. The Mediterranean Sea:

Investigation of the physical, geochemical and biological processes which determine the evolution of the Mediterranean ecosystem; exchanges between the continental margin and the open sea as well as through straits and channels; contribution of various sources (e.g., atmosphere, rivers, upwellings) of organic and inorganic matter, transport in the water column and sediment record; modification of biogeochemical equilibria by anthropogenic influences; influence of physio-chemical environment on biological and microbiological processes.

2. The Baltic Sea:

Quantification of contemporary fluxes of matter and energy for a better understanding of the susceptibility of the Baltic Sea to global changes; assessment of evidence for past and present, natural and anthropogenic, changes of the Baltic ecosystem in order to achieve a balance between exploitation of resources and sustainability and conservation of the entire system; development of general strategies and tools for integrated (i.e., scientific, technical and socio-economic) coastal zone management. These research tasks will be carried out in close cooperation with the Environment and Climate Programme.

3. The Canary-Azores region and Alboran Sea:

Analysis and simulation of the exchange of energy, water, particulate and dissolved matter and organisms between the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean; work on the Strait of Gibraltar and adjacent seas will focus on analyses and simulations of fluxes and their climatic, geochemical and biological implications.

4. The north-eastern Atlantic continental margin:

Determination of the principal processes controlling fluxes of water and particles in geomorphologically contrasting shelf edge systems; study of water masses, currents, productivity, sedimentation processes, sediment transport and biogases at the ocean margin; determination of the sensitivity of these processes in response to global climatic change and sea-level rise and vice versa.

Research Area II: Strategic Marine Research

objective

To study the dynamics of marine systems for application in the management of the marine environment as a resource. Consideration will be given to the impact of socio-economic factors on the marine environment in coordination with the Environment and Climate Programme.

(1) Coastal and Shelf Sea Research

objective

To understand the complex interactions of the physical, biological and chemical processes in shelf seas and coastal environments; to enhance medium and long-term predictive capacity of coastal zone evolution with a view to sustainable use of the coastal and shelf environments.

research tasks

1. Coastal physical processes and morphodynamics:

Processes and their interactions in the shelf sea and coastal zone mostly related to sediment (cohesive and non-cohesive) transport and morphodynamics; dynamics of estuaries and of inter-tidal zones and salt marshes in their role as shore protection mechanisms; development of integrated models for medium and long-term predictions of the coast and implementation of large-scale experiments for model formulation and evaluation.

2. Structure and dynamics of shelf and coastal sea ecosystems:

Interactions between the shelf and the various components of the coastal zone (neritic zone, estuaries, inter-tidal zone, lagoons and salt marshes); relative importance of autochthonous and allochthonous sources of matter for different types of near-shore ecosystems; origin, transformation and fate of organic matter in the coastal sea; the role of coastal biogeochemical cycling in global change; integrated process modelling with a view to providing tools for management of shelf sea resources (research under this heading will be coordinated with IGBP-LOICZ activities and with those of the Environment and Climate Programme).

3. Methods for monitoring, forecasting and management of shelf seas and coastal zones:

Methods for the operation of forecasting and monitoring systems for physical and non-physical properties in coastal waters and shelf seas; methods for integrating subsystems and for evaluating information fluxes and management options.

(2) Coastal engineering

objective

To provide the scientific and technical basis which will enable the development of innovative design tools and will lead to laying down authoritative design guidelines regarding the various shore protection structures.

research tasks

1. Design of man-made coastal structures and maintenance of natural coastal structures:

Hydrodynamic processes affecting the dynamic behaviour and stability of coastal structures, especially 3-D effects, and numerical models for their simulation. Morphological changes in the vicinity of the structures.

2. Development of new spaceborne techniques, increased use of satellite imagery for the detection, monitoring and analysis of coastal processes (research in this area will be coordinated with the Environment and Climate Programme).

(3) Risk and impact evaluation

objective

To identify, estimate and forecast risks and adverse impacts on the marine environment resulting from the use of: (a) current and future marine technologies as well as research and monitoring techniques and instruments, and (b) methods of ocean use and management. Risks and impacts on the marine environment resulting from commercial activities such as mineral, oil and gas extraction, fishing, and transportation are not included.

research tasks

1. Risks and impacts associated with the installation of coastal structures and the use and management of coastal seas.

2. Risks and impacts associated with the use and management of the sea floor.

3. Risks and impacts on the marine environment associated with the exploitation of coastal resources.

4. Risks and impacts on marine life resulting from the application of current and future technologies for ocean observation.

5. Risks and impacts on the marine environment resulting from the use of intrusive methods for marine research.

6. Socio-economic impacts resulting from the adverse effects identified in tasks 1-5 above.

Research Area III: Marine technology

objective

To promote research on generic technologies and on advanced systems (platforms and instruments), in order to improve or create new capabilities for observing, monitoring and managing the marine environment and for exploiting marine resources. A crucial objective of this research is to help make European industry more competitive. This objective must be achieved in a manner which will preserve the environment.

(1) Generic technologies

objective

To provide the marine community with the generic technologies for the future by the development of innovative technologies, further development of existing technologies or adaptation to the marine environment of technologies from other fields.

research tasks

1. Non-disturbing techniques:

Research on non-disturbing techniques for oceanographic observations (biological communities, three dimensional physical structure of the oceans), including sound signal modelling and analysis.

2. Underwater communication and orientation:

Development of precise underwater positioning, navigation and communication systems for large-scale research, surveying and monitoring which are effective over distances large compared with water depth.

3. Underwater viewing:

Development of advanced underwater imaging and vision systems for biological, chemical, physical and geological/geophysical research.

4. Exploitation of marine biological resources other than fisheries and aquaculture:

Development of techniques for the identification and cultivation of marine organisms capable of producing bioactive substances; extraction, purification, structural characterization and analysis of bioactive compounds; evaluation of the application potential of these substances for basic research in ecology, marine engineering, food technology and medicine.

(2) Advanced systems

objective

To design and develop advanced systems and subsystems for measuring oceanographic parameters and sea floor characteristics, taking samples, and implementing technologies used in support of exploration, monitoring and marine exploitation activities. These advanced systems will make it possible to monitor regional, global, seasonal and long-term changes in the seas and oceans.

research tasks

1. Unmanned platforms for the deep sea and the Arctic:

Development of advanced equipment and subsystems for unmanned platforms such as ROVs or untethered free-swimming vehicles, benthic landers, benthic laboratories and buoys for the deep sea and arctic ocean; this includes research on advanced materials, power sources and propulsion systems as well as mission management systems and research vessel based handling systems.

2. Oceanographic measurement and sampling equipment:

Development of sensors, instruments and samplers with good long-term characteristics for use in harsh environments both in the water column and on the sea floor. The research will take into account the needs of the future GOOS (1) and of other major international programmes, and the requirement to support deep-sea exploration and exploitation activities. The transfer of existing sensors from other domains to the marine environment will be encouraged.

3. Biosensors:

Development of biosensors for brackish and marine waters, especially for the monitoring of natural and artificial organic compounds and their degradation processes.

Area IV: Supporting initiatives

objective

To improve coordination, cooperation and the exchange of information amongst European scientists and to help increase the effectiveness of national and international programmes through better use of research facilities and the transfer of expertise and knowledge.topics for action

1. Advanced training (fellowships, courses).

2. Standards for training and work in specialized fields of ocean sciences (e.g., scientific diving, marine technicians).

3. Coordination of modelling, ocean data exchange and quality control for research and operational applications: initiation of European activities in the fields of modelling marine systems, ocean data and information exchange and of quality control. To provide assistance so that specialized centres, national institutions and undertakings, in particular SMEs, can participate in a coordinated manner.

4. Coordinated use of heavy experimental equipment and large computing facilities on a regional and European scale.

5. Design of components and systems for heavy advanced experimental and operational equipment.

6. Calibration techniques and standards for marine instrumentation and observation methods.

(1) Global Ocean Observing System.

ANNEX II

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ANNEX III

DETAILED RULES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMME

1. The detailed rules for the Community's financial contribution are laid down in Annex IV to the Decision on the Fourth Framework Programme.

The detailed rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities and for the dissemination of results will be laid down as provided for in Article 130j of the Treaty. However, for the purpose of implementing this programme, participation in the programme within the meaning of Article 2 (2) of the Council Decision on the rules for participation in programmes is restricted to international organizations located in Europe and to the entities referred to in Article 2 (2) (c) of that Decision. International laboratories located in Europe may exceptionally be funded on the same basis as Community organizations.

The following will apply in the implementation of this programme:

- Generally speaking, proposals will have to provide for assessment of the potential risks to the marine environment posed by the proposed research or technological development activity.

- In order to step up the international cooperation necessary in oceanography and the major international environment programmes, the supporting initiatives and the accompanying measures may, with the exception of the advanced training, be carried out in cooperation with third countries.

2. This programme will be carried out in the form of:

2.1. Financial participation by the Community in RTD activities carried out by third parties or by JRC institutes in association with third parties:

(a) Shared-cost activities

- RTD projects carried out by undertakings, research centres and universities, including consortia for integrated projects with a common theme;

- technology stimulation to encourage and facilitate the participation of SMEs by means of awards covering the exploratory phase of RTD activity, including the search for partners, and through cooperative research. Such awards will be granted following selection of draft proposals, which may be submitted at any time;

- support for financing the infrastructure or installations necessary for coordinated action (closer coordination).

(b) Concerted action, which involves the coordination, particularly in the form of concertation networks, of RTD projects already funded by public authorities or private bodies. Concerted action can also include the requisite coordination of thematic networks bringing together manufacturers, users, universities and research centres to work on the same technological or industrial objective through shared-cost RTD activities (cf. first paragraph of Section 2.1(a)).

(c) Specific measures such as action to promote standardization, and measures to provide general tools to research centres, universities and undertakings. The Community's contribution covers up to 100 % of the cost of these measures.

With a view to focusing the Community's research effort and giving it a higher profile in the context of world research into global change, the research activities envisaged in this area will be carried out within the framework of the Enrich network (1). Such activities will be pointed in a direction which ensures that the research effort will help meet the objectives of the IGBP (2), the WCRP (3) and the HDP (4) and certain aspects of the development of the GOOS (5).Programme implementation will include close linkage with the corresponding JRC activities and collaboration with the following Community research programmes: agriculture and fisheries, non-nuclear energy, environment and climate, measurement and testing, industrial and materials technologies, information technology. Appropriate collaboration will also be set up with other international bodies such as the IOC (6), the ICES (7) and the ICSCM (8) and the corresponding activities of the Eureka programme (Euromar) and the NATO (9) research centres.

2.2. Preparatory, accompanying and support measures

- studies in support of this programme and in preparation for future activities;

- conferences, seminars, workshops or other scientific or technical meetings, including intersectoral or multidisciplinary coordination meetings;

- use of external expertise, including access to scientific databases;

- scientific publications, including dissemination, promotion and utilization of results (in coordination with the activities conducted under the third area of activity);

- studies to assess the socio-economic consequences and any technological risks associated with all the projects under this programme;

- training activities related to research covered by this programme;

- independent evaluation (including studies) of programme administration and of the implementation of the activities;

- coordination and support for heavy infrastructure and equipment;

- measures in support of the operation of networks to provide information and decentralized assistance to SMEs in coordination with the Euromanagement auditing activity of RTD.

The activities relating to dissemination and utilization of results carried out under this programme will complement those of the third activity and will be closely coordinated with them. The RTD project partners constitute privileged networks for the dissemination and utilization of results. They will be enhanced by means of publications, conferences, promotion of results, studies of technical and economic potential, etc. In order to ensure optimum exploitation, account must be taken from the outset in RTD projects of factors that can encourage subsequent utilization of results.

These implementing arrangements for the preparatory, accompanying and support measures will apply, in particular, to Area IV of the programme.

(1) European Network for Research in Global Change.

(2) International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme.

(3) World Climate Research Programme.

(4) Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change Programme.

(5) Global Ocean Observing System.

(6) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, Unesco.

(7) International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

(8) International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean.

(9) North Atlantic Treaty Organization.