agreement on offering the pan-European in-vehicle emergency call system (eCall) as a standard option in all new cars from 2010. The Commission continues to promote the take-up of other life-saving technologies and investigate how technology can help make cars greener and smarter.
Commission Decision 2008/671/EC on the harmonised use of radio spectrum in the 5875 - 5905 MHz frequency band for safety-related applications of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), 05.08.2008
As part of its overall fight against road accidents and traffic jams, the Commission decided to reserve, across Europe, part of the radio spectrum for smart vehicle communications systems (so called co-operative systems). They are based on wireless communication technology and allow cars to 'talk' to other cars and to the road infrastructure providers. They can, for example, warn other drivers of slippery roads or of a crash which just happened. Smart vehicle communication systems have the potential to make safer and ease the lives of Europe's drivers.
Communication 'Action Plan for the Deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in Europe', COM(2008) 886, 16.12.2008
With the objective to accelerate and coordinate the deployment and use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) applications and services for road transport and their connections with other modes of transport, the ITS action plan proposes concrete measures in six priority areas to ensure seamless access and continuity of services throughout the EU. Such systems can help to make transport greener, reduce congestion and save lifes on Europe's roads. The ITS Action plan is a transport policy initiative which complements the Intelligent Car initiative and the work of the eSafety forum to make cars safer, cleaner and smarter.
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other transport modes, COM(2008), 887, 16.12.2008
The proposed Directive accompanying the ITS Action Plan lays down the framework for the implementation of the measures identified in the Action Plan. It establishes a framework for the coordinated deployment and use of intelligent transport systems within the Community and the development of the specifications necessary. By ensuring the development and adoption of the necessary specifications and procedures, the proposed Directive will guarantee the required interoperability of systems and continuity of ITS services and applications. Both ITS Action Plan and Directive proposal will benefit from work carried out in the framework of the Intelligent Car Initiative.
Action 12: Digital Libraries
Communication on digital libraries, COM(2005) 465, 30.09.2005
The Commission is promoting and coordinating work to build a European Digital Library — a common multilingual access point to Europe’s cultural heritage. The Communication proposes a first set of actions in the areas of: digitisation of content stored in traditional formats; online accessibility of this content; and digital preservation. The target as set to make two million books, films, photographs, manuscripts, and other cultural works accessible through the European Digital Library by 2008. This figure is planned to grow to at least six million by 2010.
Commission Decision setting up a High Level Expert Group on digital libraries, (2006/178/EC), 28.02.2006
This advisory group also provides a forum for discussion with stakeholders. Its first contribution on the management of copyright addresses the practical problems of dealing with orphan and out-of-print works and digital preservation.
Commission Recommendation on the digitisation and online accessibility of cultural material and digital preservation, (2006/585/EC), 24.08.2006
In the Recommendation, the Commission urges Member States to tackle three main areas: the digitisation of cultural material, its online accessibility and digital preservation. The institutions or Member States themselves are responsible for the selection of the material to be digitised.
Communication on scientific information in the digital age: access, dissemination and preservation, COM(2007) 56, 15.02.2007
The Communication examines how new digital technologies can be better used to increase access to research publications and data. The Commission thereby launches an EU framework to support new ways of promoting better access to scientific information online and to preserve research results digitally for future generations.
Commission Decision setting up the Member States’ Expert Group on Digitisation and Digital Preservation (2007/320/EC), 22.03.2007
The group monitors progress and assess the implementation of the Recommendation on the digitisation and online accessibility of cultural material and digital preservation, and the Council Conclusions on this topic. It is also a forum for sharing strategies and best practice.
'Europeana' – Europe's Digital Library, launched at www.europeana.eu, 20.11.2008
At www.europeana.eu, Internet users around the world can now access more than two million books, maps, recordings, photographs, archival documents, paintings and films from national libraries and cultural institutions of the EU's 27 Member States. Anyone interested in literature, art, science, politics, history, architecture, music or cinema will have free and fast access to Europe's greatest collections and masterpieces in a single virtual library through a web portal available in all EU languages. And this is just the beginning: Europeana will be expanded.
Action 13: ICTs for sustainable growth
Communication 'Addressing the challenge of energy efficiency through Information and Communication Technologies', COM(2008) 241, 13.05.2008
As part of its effort to combat climate change, the Commission is promoting the use of ICT to improve energy efficiency throughout the economy, starting with buildings, lighting and the power grid. ICT can enable 'greener' behaviour across the economy, which would massively cut Europe's carbon footprint if widely deployed.
The Commission encourages the ICT sector, which accounts for 2% of global CO2 emissions, to lead by example the drive towards carbon neutrality. This will be done by reinforcing research, development and deployment of components and systems, complemented by voluntary agreements, for example on green procurement. The real gains from green ICT will come from developing energy-efficient ICT solutions that impact the other 98% of global emissions. The Communication focuses on three energy-intensive areas: energy generation and distribution, buildings, and lighting.
Communication 'Mobilising information and communication technologies to facilitate the transition to an energy-efficient, low-carbon economy', COM(2009) 111, 12.03.2009
The Commission calls on Member States and industry to use ICT to improve energy efficiency, as this can reduce total carbon emissions in Europe by up to 15% by 2020 (Europe's overall target is 20%). ICT can help make people and companies more aware of how they use energy. It. With smart metering in their homes, for example, consumers have been found to reduce their energy consumption by as much as 10%. A public consultation was launched on what measures and commitments should follow.
1This is a list of the actions launched, containing all items officially adopted before adoption of this Annual Report.
