Biotechnology Research Roadmap - Science and Innovation

Figure 13
Environmental biotechnology research
breakdown by research area
8% 5% 3%
53%
KEY
Mitigation Technologies
Biodiversity Ecology and Evolution
Biosecurity and Pest Control
Technologies
31%
Bioremediation
Environmental Indicators
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AREAS
There has been a consolidation of basic and
underpinning environmental biotechnology research
capability over recent years with the establishment
of CoREs, the National Centre for Advanced
Bioprotection Technologies, and the Allan Wilson
Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution.
Similarly, the awarding of longer-term outcome-based
investment (OBI) funding to Landcare Research’s
biosystematics databases and research programme has
begun the process of providing greater stability to areas
of critical public good research.
Environmental technology development is considered
to be a growth area for New Zealand.
Issues or gaps
While there has been a degree of consolidation of
underpinning research capability in this area, there
still remains a need to focus investments particularly
in outcome focused areas. Sustainable development
is becoming increasing important to New Zealand, as
evidenced by the level of strategic importance being
attached to it by government and industry. This will be
a research area which will require improved oversight
and funding levels will need to be revisited if New
Zealand is to achieve its strategic goals.
46 Roadmaps for Science : biotechnology research