Regional EU Sustainable Development Indicators for Ireland 2022

R&D and innovation

Gross domestic expenditure on R&D

SDG_09_10 measures gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD) as a percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP). "Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications". See Table 9.1 and Figure 9.1.

 R&D personnel

SDG_09_30 measures the share of R&D personnel broken down by the following institutional sectors: business enterprise (BES), government (GOV), higher education (HES), private non-profit (PNP). Data are presented in full-time equivalents as a share of the economically active population (the ‘labour force’). See Table 9.2 and Figure 9.2.

Patent applications to the European Patent Office

SDG_09_40 measures the number of requests for patent protection of an invention filed with the European Patent Office (EPO) regardless of whether they are granted or not. The number of applications include direct European applications filed in the reference year (Direct) and international (PCT) applications for which the applicant(s) opted to protect their invention in Europe by selecting the EPO during the reporting period (PCT regional).

The indicator is presented by country of applicant as well as by country of inventor:

For the former, the patent applications are allocated according to the country of residence of the applicant listed on the application form. In cases where several applicants are mentioned on the application form, the country of residence of the first applicant listed applies (first-named applicant principle).

The country of residence of the (first) applicant is not necessarily the same as the county of residence of the inventor(s). For the latter, the applications are allocated according to the country of residence of the inventor. In case of several inventors being mentioned on the application form, the application is allocated proportionally to the corresponding countries of residence of the inventors (fractional counts). See Table 9.3 and Figure 9.3.

Sustainable industry

Air emissions intensity of industry

SDG_09_70 measures the emissions intensity of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) from the manufacturing sector (NACE Rev. 2 sector ‘C’). Fine and coarse particulates (PM₁₀) are less than 10 micrometres in diameter and can be carried deep into the lungs, where they can cause inflammation and exacerbate the condition of people suffering from heart and lung diseases. Fine particulates (PM_2.5) are less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter and are therefore a subset of the PM₁₀ particles. Their negative health impacts are more serious than PM₁0 because they can be drawn further into the lungs and may be more toxic. Emission intensity is calculated by dividing the sector’s PM emissions by its gross value added (GVA), which is defined as output (at basic prices) minus intermediate consumption (at purchaser prices). See Table 9.4 and Figure 9.4.

Sustainable infrastructure

Share of buses and trains in inland passenger transport

SDG_09_50 measures the share of collective transport modes in total inland passenger transport performance, expressed in passenger-kilometres (pkm). Collective transport modes refer to buses, including coaches and trolley-buses, and trains. Total inland transport includes transport by passenger cars, buses and coaches, and trains. All data are based on movements within national territories, regardless of the nationality of the vehicle. The data collection methodology is voluntary and not fully harmonised at the EU level. Other collective transport modes, such as tram and metro systems, are also not included due to the lack of harmonised data. For countries, where rail transport statistical legislation does not apply, the totals contain only the share of coaches, buses and trolley buses. See Table 9.5 and Figure 9.5.

Share of rail and inland waterways in inland freight transport 

SDG_09_60 measures the share of rail and inland waterways in total inland freight transport, expressed in tonne-kilometres (tkm). Inland transport includes transports by road, rail and inland waterways. All data are based on movements on national territory; rail and inland waterway transport data are collected based on movements on national territory, regardless of the nationality of the train or vessel; road data are redistributed to the national territory on the basis of reported data on the activity of the vehicles registered in each country and modelling the likely journey itinerary by projecting it on the European road network. Neither sea nor air freight transport are currently represented in the indicator. For countries, where inland waterways statistical legislation does not apply the totals contain only the share of rail transport. See Table 9.6 and Figure 9.6.