The European Commission is starting to launch the next Horizon 2020 Work Programme and calls for proposals to cover the period 2018-2020. Within Societal Challenge 5, research and innovation aims to "achieve a resource – and water – efficient and climate change resilient economy and society, the protection and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems, and a sustainable supply and use of raw materials, in order to meet the needs of a growing global population within the sustainable limits of the planet's natural resources and eco-system" and hence to address societal needs and socio-economic priorities.

Stakeholders are asked to consider five questions and send their responses to RTD-ENV-H2020STAKEHOLDERS@ec.europa.eu.

To support the proposals any available evidence such as assessments of research and innovation trends, across the six sub-challenges of Societal Challenge 5 (e.g. Protecting the environment, sustainably managing natural resources, water, biodiversity and ecosystems; Developing comprehensive and sustained global environmental observation and information systems) should be cited.

The consultation closes on Friday, 8 April 2016.

The consultation document is available here and all background information regarding this consultation and the whole work programme can be found on the Horizon 2020 website.