Enhancing dialogue
Technology foresight is a systematic process to look into the future through dialogue and analysis of potential opportunities in science, technology and economy. Methods vary from country to country, but the aim of technology foresight is the same; to identify and debate technological future scenarios and spot the challenges connected with their realisation.
The overall purpose of a technology foresight is to provide part of the basis for decision making by politicians and businesses regarding investments in the future. The purpose is also to strengthen the dialogue between business and research communities.
Green technology foresights
Both the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Danish EPA have carried out technology foresights on eco-innovation.
The green technology foresight conducted by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation points out four focus areas for potential technology development:
Wind energy
Optimisation of buildings
More environmentally friendly agriculture
Design of green products and materials
The green technology foresight by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation can be read here (in Danish):
http://www.fi.dk/publikationer/2003/groent-teknologisk-fremsyn-perspektivrige-gronne-teknologier
Environment in general and chemicals in particular
In 2004 the Danish EPA launched a green technology foresight which focuses on future challenges and possible competitive advantages related to three generic technologies:
Focus is on the environment in general and on chemicals in particular.
The report also contains policy recommendations based on the eco-innovative potentials identified for the three generic technologies.
Read the green technology foresight by the Danish EPA
Green foresight on environmental friendly agriculture
Risø National Laboratory has completed a technology foresight on environmentally friendly agriculture based on green technologies. The foresight was initiated by the Forest and Nature Agency and conducted in co-operation with the following institutions: Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Danish Research Centre for Organic Farming, TM-Innovation, Food and Resource Economics Institute.
The report is available here: http://www.risoe.dk/rispubl/SYS/ris-r-1512.htm