Environment as a strategic catalyst
Our living environment – soil, water, and air – is no longer merely an ecological concern, but a strategic pillar for security and defence. Flanders integrates its industrial and scientific strengths with innovative approaches to build a resilient, sustainable, and secure society. The roadmap confirms that protecting our environment directly contributes to defence readiness and the resilience of our society.
Four strategic pillars for a secure future
The roadmap identifies four focal points:
- CBRN-e: Detection, identification, mitigation and protection against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats.
- Resilience of natural resources: Protection of soil, water and air, and the critical infrastructures that rely on them.
- Critical Raw Materials (CRM): Secure and circular use of scarce and strategic resources.
- Safe & Sustainable by Design (SSbD): Sustainable and safe design of materials, processes and infrastructures throughout the life cycle.
Flemish innovation as an engine
Flanders has strong expertise in chemistry, materials, biotechnology, environmental remediation, sensor technology and circular processes. Thanks to leading research institutions and strong industrial clusters, such as the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the North Sea region, Flanders is a crucial link in energy supply, logistics, and infrastructure protection. At the same time, this position requires advanced detection, monitoring and remediation technologies.
Collaboration and dual-use innovation
The roadmap advocates structural cooperation between government, knowledge institutions and industry. Through shared testing environments, integrated funding, and joint innovation agendas, Flanders can become a European reference region for environmental safety, sustainable resilience, and dual-use innovation. This approach directly connects civil innovation with military requirements and European security goals.
Roadmap in focus
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See the full roadmap
Curious to see how Flanders is using its expertise and innovative strength to create a safe and sustainable future? Read the full roadmap and discover all the opportunities and strategic ambitions relating to the environment and safety!