22/01/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 22 January, the European Commission's Research and Innovation department announced a new partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) in order to respond to the greatest present-day challenges. The intention is to align the future Horizon Europe framework programme for research and innovation with that of the ESA research programme (FutureEO), in order to limit duplication and fragmentation in the European area of research and to "amplify the scientific and societal impact" of ESA and EU investments. The working agreement covers: - climate change; - increasing pressures on critical resources such as fresh water or food systems; - environmental pollution and its effects on health and biodiversity; - extreme events and natural disasters; - “major anthropogenic pressures" and natural changes affecting the sustainability of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. (PH)