Sustainability Index

Our society is in the middle of a profound transformation from the Old World to the Green World. We envision a future in which every business and every consumer has to adapt to the needs of a sustainable lifestyle. At present businesses and consumers are faced with a problem – of the several products and services available under the green label, how does one know which products are more green than others. At the moment there is no authentic source which has certain defined parameters for each industry which can measure the long-term effects on ecological sustainability.

Anuron Labs is currently working on developing a Sustainability Index which can help businesses and consumers to evaluate the merits of various products before making their choice. This is a long-term project and we are actively looking for collaborators and research grants for this project. So if you find this area of interest to you, please do get in touch with us.

The European Union through its Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) has allocated a budget of € 1.8 billion (2007 - 2013) for Environment (including Climate Change).

The challenges posed by the increasing natural and man-made pressures on the environment and its resources require a coordinated approach at pan-European and international levels.

What's the benefit for citizens
We need to better understand and cope with issues such as climate change and identify environmentally friendly technologies in order to improve our management of both natural and man-made resources. The activities will address policy needs such as the sustainability impact assessments of EU policies and the follow up to the Kyoto and post-Kyoto actions on climate change.

What's the benefit for researchers
Sustainable management of the environment and its resources requires multidisciplinary and integrated research in order to advance our knowledge on the interactions between the climate, biosphere, ecosystems and human activities. This will help us to develop new environmental technologies, tools and services.

The "Environment" programme will be implemented under the following activities and areas

• Climate change, pollution and risks
• Pressures on environment and climate
• Environment and health
• Natural hazards


• Sustainable Management of Resources
• Conservation and sustainable management of natural and man-made resources and biodiversity
• Management of marine environment


• Environmental Technologies
• Environmental technologies for observation, simulation, prevention, mitigation, adaptation, remediation and restoration of the natural   and man-made environment
• Protection, conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage
• Technology assessment, verification and testing


• Earth observation and assessment tools
• Earth and ocean observation systems, monitoring methods for the environment and sustainable development
• Forecasting methods and assessment tools for sustainable development

What's the benefit for industry and SMEs
Strengthening the EU position in world markets for environmental technologies will contribute to sustainable consumption, production, delivering sustainable growth through business opportunities and improved competitiveness, while protecting our cultural and natural heritage.

Special attention will be given to technologies on water supply and sanitation, on sustainable chemistry, on construction and on forestry, in association with the respective European Technology Platforms. The socio-economic dimension will influence their development and introduction to the market and their subsequent application.