Helping to build a green economy, a circular economy in sync with the natural environment, is part of the answer. Activities in the first work programme will therefore focus on moving towards a “green” society and economy. They will address gaps in the knowledge base needed to understand changes in the environment, identify the policies, methods and tools that would most effectively tackle the challenges, and support innovators and businesses to bring green solutions to the market. For the first two years of implementation, waste as a resource and water innovation have been selected as particular priorities, on the grounds of their substantial potential for business opportunities and job creation while tackling important resource efficiency challenges.