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Benefits and Risks of Environmental Nanotechnologies Dialogue Opportunities

Malsch Techno Valuation. Benefits and Risks of Environmental Nanotechnologies Dialogue Opportunities. Ineke Malsch, Malsch TechnoValuation, www.malsch.demon.nl CEFIC Stakeholder Dialogue, 24 June 2008. Malsch Techno Valuation. Environmental Nano.

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Benefits and Risks of Environmental Nanotechnologies Dialogue Opportunities

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  1. Malsch Techno Valuation Benefits and Risks of Environmental NanotechnologiesDialogue Opportunities Ineke Malsch, Malsch TechnoValuation, www.malsch.demon.nl CEFIC Stakeholder Dialogue, 24 June 2008

  2. Malsch Techno Valuation Environmental Nano Table of contents: • Introduction • ObservatoryNano project opportunities • Current debate on environmental nanotechnologies • Precaution versus proaction • Information requirements civil society • Possibilities of exchange between the societal groups to meet these information requirements

  3. Malsch Techno Valuation Environmental Nano Business centre Vondelparc II, Vondellaan 90, 3521 GH Utrecht, The Netherlands www.malsch.demon.nl Malsch TechnoValuation’s activities include: Current EU projects: • ObservatoryNano, Ethicschool (nanoethics) • IPCNanoNet, NanoforumEULA (R&D cooperation with Latin America) Finished EU projects: • Nanoforum, EuroIndiaNet and • NanoroadSME.

  4. Malsch Techno Valuation Environmental Nano • This talk presents civil society perspective about issues surrounding environmental technologies • I don’t represent any NGO • I am in favor of responsible technology development • I present information on societal acceptance of environmental nanotechnology by different stakeholders & in different parts of the world • And make suggestions on improving the stakeholder dialogue

  5. Mission To create a European Observatory on Nanotechnologies to present reliable, complete and responsible science-based and economic expert analysis, across technology sectors, establish dialogue with decision makers and others regarding the benefits and opportunities, balanced against barriers and risks, and allow them to take action to ensure that scientific and technological developments are realized as socio-economic benefits. • 16 partners from 10 European States • €4M over 4 years • Started 1st April 2008 • Will bring together leading EU policy and decision-makers: EC, government, industry, leading institutes, NGOs with the purpose of helping shape future strategies.

  6. EC WP3Economic Impacts WP4Ethics WP5EHS WP6Regulation WP8Communication WP2Science and Technology Assessment Intranet WP1observatoryNANO Database Website WP7Establishment of Observatory WP9Project Management USERS

  7. Ethical toolkit • Regular project outputs: • Annual reports on scientific and technical developments • Annual reports on economic developments • Annual reports on ethical and societal issues • Annual reports on environment, health and safety issues • Annual reports on standards and regulations Also:

  8. Partners: For further information please visit www.observatory-nano.eu Or contact the coordinator, Dr Mark Morrison, mark.morrison@nano.org.uk

  9. Malsch Techno Valuation Environmental Nano • Current debate on environmental nanotechnologies: • Opportunities of nanotechnologies in: • Environmental remediation; • Environmental monitoring; • Resource efficiency. • Risks of free engineered nanomaterials in the environment.

  10. Malsch Techno Valuation Environmental Nano • Responsible nanotech R&D: Precaution vs Proaction • Precautionary approach is mainly risk averse – the status quo is good – prepare for worst case in future impacts • Example: EC Code of Conduct, 2008 • Solution is Risk Assessment • Proactionary approach balances risks & benefits – the status quo is not perfect – try to improve it in a responsible way for sustainable development: • R&D cooperation natural and social scientists • Engage earlier in R&D process in stakeholder dialogue to co-decide on the priorities (upstream engagement)

  11. Malsch Techno Valuation Environmental Nano • Information requirements: • Trade Unions: • Are nanomaterials present at work? • How to protect oneself against potential risks? • Environmental Organisations: • What are potential exposure scenarios of the environment, plants and animals to nanomaterials during the whole life cycle? • What is the realistic potential of nanotechnology for contributing to sustainable development (remediation, monitoring, resource efficiency)?

  12. Malsch Techno Valuation Environmental Nano • Information requirements: • Consumers: • Labelling products with nano-inside (freedom of choice). • Are adequate safety measures taken? • Is the product more attractive/better/cheaper than alternatives? What is the advantage to me? • Parliaments: • - Are there common standards and terminology for nanotechnology? • - What gaps in knowledge exist and what must be done to fill them? Who will pay for the research? • - Are competent authorities equipped to control nanosafety? • - Are existing regulations relevant for nanotechnology?

  13. Malsch Techno Valuation Environmental Nano • Information requirements developing countries and emerging economies: • Protection of workers and consumers in less developed countries to risks of nanomaterials - access to industrial and western government expertise in offshoring and export of Western products? • Adequate maintenance and support in the developing country? • Potential contributions of environmental nanotechnology to sustainable development? • Implications for commodities markets of nanotech improved resource efficiency? (Meridian Institute, USA) • Will western industry invest in R&D and innovation in developing countries?

  14. Malsch Techno Valuation Environmental Nano • Possibilities of exchange between the societal groups to meet these information requirements: • In public debate in the media; • In public events organised by neutral organisations; • By responding promptly and openly to questions from societal groups and governments (e.g. DEFRA voluntary submission scheme); • By cooperating with ObservatoryNano project.

  15. Malsch Techno Valuation Environmental Nano Conclusions: The Current debate on environmental nanotechnologies covers opportunities as well as risks; There are precautionary as well as proactionary approaches to managing these opportunities and risks; Different groups in civil society have different information requirements; Exchange can take place in public dialogue as well as projects including ObservatoryNano.

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