{"id":524,"date":"2009-05-13T08:39:34","date_gmt":"2009-05-13T08:39:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/neu.innovationsgesellschaft.ch\/?p=524"},"modified":"2013-11-15T09:10:08","modified_gmt":"2013-11-15T09:10:08","slug":"oecd-conference-on-potential-environmental-benefits-of-nanotechnology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/innovationsgesellschaft.ch\/en\/oecd-conference-on-potential-environmental-benefits-of-nanotechnology\/","title":{"rendered":"OECD Conference on Potential Environmental Benefits of Nanotechnology"},"content":{"rendered":"

Background<\/span><\/h3>\n

Nanotechnology is an emerging technology which could significantly contribute to raising living standards and improving the quality of life. It has already been applied in many products from energy efficiency, to healthcare, to environmental protection, and to information and communication technologies. Many more applications are expected in the future. Ways of maximizing the benefits of nanotechnology, along with ensuring human health and environmental safety with regard to nanomaterials, is becoming an important topic for discussion, a new source of economic growth and a potential \u201cwin-win\u201d opportunity for both the environment and the economy. In this respect, this conference will significantly contribute to accelerating OECD\u2019s current efforts for fostering \u201cgreen\u201d and innovation-led growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Objective and Scope<\/span><\/h3>\n

The conference will cover both the opportunities and the challenges of the use of nanotechnologies for potential environmental benefit. The aim is to learn from international expertise and to identify ways in which to improve in a timely manner policies withthe potential to enhance both short- and long-term economic growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

The conference will provide an opportunity for governments, academia and industry to consider the state-of-the-art of nanotechnologies, their potential to bring environmental benefits and any potential human health and environmental safety concerns at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n

In particular, the conference will address sustainability and life cycle aspects in a variety of sectors in which nanotechnology has the potential to give rise to environmental benefits. Thus, the conference will explore the environmental profiles of emerging nanoscale innovation with the goal of encouraging development of technologies that can result in environmental gain while addressing unintended consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n

The topics to be addressed will fall into four key areas:<\/span><\/p>\n