מחקר ופיתוח בתחום הסביבה בישראל ומסחורו – חסמים והסרתם: [מתוך המדור: סקירות]

Research and Development (R&D) along with innovation and entrepreneurship, constitute an engine for economic growth and social development. Environmental R&D refers to the use of various models, technologies, methods, and tools to achieve the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). In recent decades, environmental R&D received special attention. However, despite the many benefits of environmental R&D and technologies, there are quite a few barriers in their assimilation and transfer from academia to the market. Some of these barriers are defined as external barriers- such as regulation and funding, and others are defined as internal barriers- such as capabilities or knowledge. These barriers exist in academia, government offices and the national economy in all phases of R&D: development, commercialization, and implementation. The main barriers in Israel are in the field of policy, relating mainly to not meeting national environmental goals and not setting ambitious long-term goals, that are crucial to provide a stable horizon for the industry and the private sector. In addition, regulation does not promote environmental R&D, and the budgeting for R&D is low and not guaranteed over time. Additional barriers are in the commercialization and implementation stages, mainly in the ability to integrate the technologies in the market. The steps to remove these barriers are related to the promotion of strict environmental policy and regulation for the long-term; strengthening the share of knowledge and cooperation in the field by establishing a national institution for environmental studies; allocation of increased and guaranteed budget; internalizing external costs; promoting research in multidisciplinary knowledge centers; and promoting cooperation between entrepreneurs, industry and the authorities.