Building a Transatlantic Innovation Economy
Initial TABD Recommendations for the TransAtlantic Innovation Dialogue
Report
Building a Transatlantic Innovation Economy - TABD Recommendations 2009-2010
Executive Summary
Detailed Recommendations
High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Stakeholders' Meeting
July 24, 2009
Brussels
Report
Transatlantic Energy Innovation Roundtable
April 9, 2009
Washington, D.C.
On April 9, 2009, the TransAtlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) hosted an event, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers, called the “Transatlantic Energy Innovation Roundtable” at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC .
Introductory Remarks
Tim Richards, Managing Director of International Energy Policy at GE and TABD Innovation Energy Working Group Co-Chair, opened the roundtable with “Transatlantic Business Perspectives on Innovation and Energy.” With energy security and climate change top of mind for many business and government leaders, Mr. Richards recalled TABD’s 2008 recommendations to the U.S.-EU Summit on energy innovation, including the creation of compatible transatlantic “carbon constraint” systems as well as predictable, sustainable and profitable conditions for business, as both a supplier and a consumer of energy. Given the global economic crisis and stimulus packages many countries are initiating, the importance of transatlantic cooperation on innovation in energy has never been more important. Having recently met in Brussels with European Commissions Piebalgs and TABD Co-Chair Jürgen Thumann, Mr. Richards learned that Commissioner Piebalgs and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chu are in discussions to cooperate on carbon capture and storage (CCS), solar and off-shore wind power as well as energy efficiency. Mr. Richards believes that energy innovation should be on the agenda of the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) as well as other existing channels of transatlantic cooperation.
Ambassador Reno Harnish, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Science Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, gave the keynote speech entitled “Transatlantic Landscape for Energy Innovation and Cooperation.” He detailed the role of policy in driving energy innovation and cited as examples the extension of production tax credits for solar and wind; pending cap and trade legislation critical for a market mechanism that helps price carbon; as well as loan guarantees. New stimulus funds are being added to current budgets to help build a green economy and create “green” jobs. A key question for the roundtable is how to stimulate the transformational technology needed to adequately address global warming. More cooperative, cross-border R&D efforts are needed, like the US collaboration with Nordic countries training young scientists and students in energy innovation and the Asia Pacific Partnership's efforts to diffuse low carbon ntechnologies to China and India . Areas most ripe for cooperation are energy efficiency, renewables like biomass/fuels, CCS, and smart grids. TABD could help governments by making the case against protectionist measures related to the transition to low carbon economies, such as non-tariff barriers (eg biodiesel) and tariffs on clean energy technologies (including a currently proposed border carbon tax). In addition, TABD can help governments consider the best mechanisms for discussion of these topics.
Transatlantic Symposium on the Societal Benefits of RFID
September 22, 2008
Washington, DC
As part of the 2007 framework for Advancing Transatlantic Economic Integration between the European Union and the United States, the U.S.-EU Summit Leaders identified priority growth projects that will significantly enhance transatlantic economic integration, growth, and job creation. One of these “Lighthouse Projects” is Innovation and Technology, and cooperation on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies is singled out for specific joint action. This symposium was designed to facilitate a dialogue about the societal benefits of RFID technologies. Discussion focused on three current RFID technology applications: environmental protection and sustainability, healthcare delivery, and supply chain security. In addition, the symposium explored future applications to enhance consumer experiences as well as the benefits of RFID technology to society at large. The event featured representatives from transatlantic businesses and U.S. and EU government agencies currently employing RFID technology, user groups, and other organizations involved in the development and application of RFID.
IPR in the Tri-Border Region of South America
September 18-19, 2008
Puerto Iguazu, Argentina
Private industry representatives from Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, the United States and Europe met on September 18th and 19th 2008 in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, with local and international law enforcement agencies and representatives of tri-border governments to discuss blue sky actions that each could take to counter the continuing menace of IP crime, counterfeiting and smuggling. Focusing on challenges in the tri-border area joining Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil they used an innovative private public sector dialogue format to plan future steps. The event was promoted by the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) and moderated by Richard Heath of Unilever and President Elect of the International Trade Marks Association (INTA). TABD is a CEO led organization created in 1995 as a permanent dialogue between the Government of the United States of America, the European Commission and business. It has focused consistently on the importance of IPR and IPR enforcement to the EU, US and global economies and to companies alike. Its latest recommendations to the 2008 EU US summit, including those on counterfeiting, were delivered to the summit leaders in June 2008 and can be seen at www.tabd.com.
Facilitating Secure Transatlantic Trade Conference
October 31, 2007
Washington, DC
In April 2007, President Bush, EU Commission President Barroso and German Chancellor Merkel, then serving as EU Council President, signed a framework for advancing transatlantic economic integration between the European Union and the United States. Under this initiative, five topics were given priority, or Lighthouse status, one of which is Secure Trade. Under this item, governments agreed to develop common trade supply chains that could lead to mutual recognition of programs for economic operators.
This one day conference harnessed the momentum created by the Framework, focusing on the experiences and concerns of transatlantic companies. Participants from the U.S. Government, the EU Commission, and European and American firms explored ways to cut red tape through mutual recognition of customs security initiatives, to facilitate trade, and to maintain safe and secure supply chains. The conference concluded with a set of concrete recommendations from business.
TABD Innovation Conference Healthcare
May 8, 2007
Berlin, Germany
On May 8, 2007, the TransAtlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) held its Innovation Conference Healthcare under the patronage of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The conference brought together over 300 participants who addressed healthcare innovation and the challenges of fostering and deploying innovation in the healthcare sector. The agenda featured EU and U.S. political, business, and scientific leaders who discussed a variety of innovation-related healthcare issues and formulated the concrete recommendations in the conference report.
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