A new research initiative to look at the current state of innovation in the UK water sector will look at both the development and uptake of innovative technologies -and how the UK can gain a share of a global marketplace worth an estimated $424 billion.
The UK Water Research and Innovation Partnership(UKRWIP) was set up to lead and help to co-ordinate research and innovation initiatives concerned with UK and global water security. UKWRIP is currenty reviewing how innovative the UK water technology sector is, in both a national and international context. The Partnership’s Business and Economy Action Group, led by Mark Lane of Pinsent Masons has now launched a survey to gauge more accurately the current position.
The results of the survey will feed into a new report "Tapping the Potential of the UK Water Technology Sector" aimed at improving the way UK water research and innovation excellence reaches the market place both globally and nationally. The report will be launched in Parliament at the start of 2014.
Key issues to be covered in the Report include:
- current UK strengths and weaknesses
- the global water challenge/opportunity
- the nature of the research and innovation system
- best practice from other countries
- where the opportunities lie
- a vision for the UK going forward
The UKRWIP research constitutes an important element of the UK effort needed to maintain and enhance its contribution to the global water sector. It is undoubtedly urgently needed – it comes at a time when there is an increasing focus globally on the challenges and opportunities presented by water resource and management issues.
The global market for water products and services is currently estimated at $424 billion in both established and emerging markets, with the highest demand for these expected to come from the former for the next decade. Realistically, the likelihood is that this market is set to grow further.
Some countries are already taking strategic steps to position themselves as leaders in the global marketplace. In Canada, for example, Government of Ontario-supported Water Technology Acceleration Project WaterTAP initiative is aimed at connecting growing water companies to the right industry partners, potential customers and international investors. Currently some 100-plus research institutions and over 900companies with a dedicated focus on the water sector are based in Ontario alone.
The UK Water Research and Innovation Partnership brings together industry, policy, researchers and third sector under the chairmanship of the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Mark Walport, and is managed through the Living with Environmental Change Partnership. Six UKWRIP Action Groups have now been established - now at various stages of activity - to address a number of priority research areas. The groups,which are time-limited, are:
- Infrastructure
- Business and Economy
- Agriculture
- Domestic water use
- Environment and Climate Change
- Sanitation and Health
Click here to take the research survey - which is open to UK and overseas contributors alike.
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