Late lessons from early warnings: science, precaution, innovation

The 2013 Late lessons from early warnings report is the second of its type produced by the European Environment Agency (EEA) in collaboration with a broad range of external authors and peer reviewers. The case studies across both volumes of Late lessons from early warnings cover a diverse range of chemical and technological innovations, and highlight a number of systemic problems. The 'Late Lessons Project' illustrates how damaging and costly the misuse or neglect of the precautionary principle can be, using case studies and a synthesis of the lessons to be learned and applied to maximising innovations whilst minimising harms.

Title Late lessons from early warnings: science, precaution, innovation
Description The 2013 Late lessons from early warnings report is the second of its type produced by the European Environment Agency (EEA) in collaboration with a broad range of external authors and peer reviewers. The case studies across both volumes of Late lessons from early warnings cover a diverse range of chemical and technological innovations, and highlight a number of systemic problems. The 'Late Lessons Project' illustrates how damaging and costly the misuse or neglect of the precautionary principle can be, using case studies and a synthesis of the lessons to be learned and applied to maximising innovations whilst minimising harms.
Preview image
Preview image caption
Creators fullname jaeglmar EEA (European Environment Agency)
Contributors fullname
Publication groups
Layout
Blocks { "050e7410-e376-4ff3-9a9c-7c2a7dd2b8d9": { "@layout": "aca54e0a-18ff-4f88-a04f-18f0b0342131", "@marker": "serial_title", "@type": "title", "block": "050e7410-e376-4ff3-9a9c-7c2a7dd2b8d9", "copyrightIcon": "ri-copyright-line", "hideContentType": false, "hideCreationDate": true, "hideModificationDate": true, "info": [], "placeholder": "Type the report title", "styles": {}, "subtitle": "EEA Report 1/2013", "variation": "default" }, "2e634209-c5a6-4040-b2fa-9197c405717b": { "@layout": "6411affa-6f55-4a01-b87b-3654936f88d6", "@type": "dividerBlock", "block": "eb9d294b-4ddb-4245-bdd7-ff20a22f7f8a", "fitted": true, "hidden": true, "spacing": "s", "styles": {} }, "57c613cc-033b-4e86-a512-f15edd389e9f": { "@layout": "d12143de-5df2-4317-9585-a96892526549", "@type": "layoutSettings", "block": "20819e47-f607-490c-bc3e-7b509621c697", "layout_size": "narrow_view" }, "841c0aa2-74fe-404f-8726-9343eca9ac85": { "@layout": "79ffe15a-1bc3-4e97-833f-838374d09237", "@marker": "eea_latest_version", "@type": "eea_latest_version", "block": "a51b8c5a-0209-4003-9103-69d752bab053" }, "844989f1-6db8-4ccd-ab71-54fcf566fdcc": { "@layout": "0a3f11ca-f5c1-4043-9780-1777a228fae9", "@type": "tabs_block", "block": "9dc00864-11b9-4834-a859-f2d99b506dda", "data": { "assetPosition": "top", "blocks": { "13e424cd-5934-4614-92ef-e6be8d05c441": { "@type": "tab", "blocks": { "8937dc26-5657-4105-959e-0bbf2352d771": { "@marker": "report_navigation", "@type": "contextNavigation", "bottomLevel": 0, "currentFolderOnly": true, "portal_type": [ "Document", "File", "Link" ], "root_node": [ { "@id": "/en/analysis/publications/late-lessons-2", "Description": "The 2013 Late lessons from early warnings report is the second of its type produced by the European Environment Agency (EEA) in collaboration with a broad range of external authors and peer reviewers. The case studies across both volumes of Late lessons from early warnings cover a diverse range of chemical and technological innovations, and highlight a number of systemic problems. The 'Late Lessons Project' illustrates how damaging and costly the misuse or neglect of the precautionary principle can be, using case studies and a synthesis of the lessons to be learned and applied to maximising innovations whilst minimising harms.", "Title": "Late lessons from early warnings: science, precaution, innovation", "title": "Late lessons from early warnings: science, precaution, innovation" } ], "topLevel": 0, "variation": "report_navigation" }, "undefined": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "8937dc26-5657-4105-959e-0bbf2352d771" ] }, "title": "Additional files" }, "22266594-97f5-4524-946f-095a50759ae7": { "@type": "tab", "assetPosition": "top", "blocks": { "e1fb8a6d-3c95-45a9-8e67-c639f8ba6d23": { "@marker": "eea_versions", "@type": "eea_versions" } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "e1fb8a6d-3c95-45a9-8e67-c639f8ba6d23" ] }, "iconSize": "small", "imageSize": "icon", "title": "All versions" }, "3ea17926-72e8-4d1c-a76a-09c6b4b1c3a4": { "@type": "tab", "blocks": { "b43f2ea4-098c-4323-b5b0-622b58580209": { "@marker": "maps_and_charts_list_slate", "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "b43f2ea4-098c-4323-b5b0-622b58580209" ] }, "selected": "6d5201c3-839b-49e2-8a92-fc62dd4b18f8", "title": "Maps and charts" }, "cf11b466-fb60-4b6a-a1f2-6f64aedb34e1": { "@type": "tab", "blocks": { "78f00585-4475-48cb-b757-32d8d9d8f94d": { "@marker": "translations_list_slate", "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "Sp\u00e4te Lehren aus fr\u00fchen Warnungen: Wissenschaft, Vorsorge, Innovation (2.79MB)\n", "value": [ { "children": [ { "children": [ { "children": [ { "text": "German PDF - Sp\u00e4te Lehren aus fr\u00fchen Warnungen: Wissenschaft, Vorsorge, Innovation" } ], "data": { "url": "../resolveuid/f3d09180de7a48749e5ab05d10d1cbc1/@@download/file" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " (2.79MB)" } ], "type": "li" } ], "type": "ul" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "78f00585-4475-48cb-b757-32d8d9d8f94d" ] }, "title": "Translations" } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "13e424cd-5934-4614-92ef-e6be8d05c441", "cf11b466-fb60-4b6a-a1f2-6f64aedb34e1", "3ea17926-72e8-4d1c-a76a-09c6b4b1c3a4", "22266594-97f5-4524-946f-095a50759ae7" ] }, "iconSize": "small", "imageSize": "icon" }, "hideEmptyTabs": true, "menuColor": "blue", "menuFluid": true, "menuInverted": true, "menuPointing": true, "menuSecondary": true, "styles": { "style_name": null }, "template": "accordion", "theme": "primary", "variation": "default", "verticalAlign": "flex-start" }, "8cb1f07e-229e-43a7-9f94-20d43314dde8": { "@layout": "a4517d09-f98f-4e88-9ed8-59509c7ac126", "@type": "columnsBlock", "block": "d94e3e6d-4d4b-42d4-b717-ca2c5c210e35", "data": { "blocks": { "20490e40-34d1-4dce-a424-fffcd6e4374a": { "blocks": { "205555ae-dceb-4c82-a2e2-a8602b804439": { "@type": "metadata", "data": { "id": "preview_image", "widget": "image" } }, "4220caf8-1bc2-4b92-9b51-5dc5ad4d9823": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "a8efebab-eba8-40e8-9bcd-5092ac94f136": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "hidden": true, "spacing": "s", "styles": {} } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "a8efebab-eba8-40e8-9bcd-5092ac94f136", "205555ae-dceb-4c82-a2e2-a8602b804439", "4220caf8-1bc2-4b92-9b51-5dc5ad4d9823" ] }, "settings": { "backgroundColor": "#f9f9f9" } }, "b7a84107-5bf1-4107-aca6-e67d32913f23": { "blocks": { "18b760c9-9207-4911-9fed-71868d7e99f2": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "hidden": true, "spacing": "s", "styles": {} }, "a609f125-29bc-4119-abe9-90e73a2597cf": { "@type": "columnsBlock", "data": { "blocks": { "10bca960-8890-4695-8cc4-6b300b543d1e": { "blocks": { "8f4a3784-7584-4d3e-a11d-1f4405cf9d2d": { "@marker": "serial_subtitle_slate", "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "EEA Report 1/2013", "value": [ { "children": [ { "children": [ { "text": "EEA Report 1/2013" } ], "type": "small" } ], "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "8f4a3784-7584-4d3e-a11d-1f4405cf9d2d" ] } }, "50a986e1-f23c-4d3f-88da-84c548552b29": { "blocks": { "4e6b89a2-e4f8-4c77-bf45-755588551bc5": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": " 31 August 2024 ", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "31 August 2024" } ], "data": { "dateOnly": true, "metadata": "effective", "widget": "datetime" }, "type": "mention" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "small" }, { "text": "" } ], "styleName": "text-right", "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "4e6b89a2-e4f8-4c77-bf45-755588551bc5" ] } } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "10bca960-8890-4695-8cc4-6b300b543d1e", "50a986e1-f23c-4d3f-88da-84c548552b29" ] } }, "gridCols": [ "halfWidth", "halfWidth" ], "gridSize": 12, "styles": {} }, "a855e34f-b59b-4a45-b38a-fa1746cb906b": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "hidden": true, "section": false, "spacing": "s", "styles": {} }, "b4900f67-df5c-4ae3-9bf4-f6e8061e6b8c": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": " Report title ", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "style-report-title": true, "text": "Report title" } ], "data": { "metadata": "title", "widget": "string" }, "type": "mention" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "b6d39691-72fd-47b1-9f13-8ed0649ff7ac": { "@marker": "file_call_to_action", "@type": "callToActionBlock", "download": true, "href": "/en/analysis/publications/late-lessons-2/late-lessons-2", "styles": { "align": "right", "theme": "primary" }, "text": "Download PDF report" }, "bdb5f43a-ef3d-42d8-99e2-36033aceaf92": { "@marker": "trailer_slate", "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "c19dca87-3513-4d05-9b69-4f031c7e6399": { "@type": "description", "placeholder": "Type the report abstract in this block", "plaintext": "This report explores the historical trends, most recent progress and projected future progress on climate change mitigation through reduced GHG emissions, renewable energy gains and improved energy efficiency. It builds upon data reported by the EU-27 Member States, five EEA member countries and nine Contracting Parties of the Energy Community.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "This report explores the historical trends, most recent progress and projected future progress on climate change mitigation through reduced GHG emissions, renewable energy gains and improved energy efficiency. It builds upon data reported by the EU-27 Member States, five EEA member countries and nine Contracting Parties of the Energy Community." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "d9cf70d9-eefc-4fea-8ff7-5a02881e19db": { "@marker": "order_id_isbn_slate", "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "EN PDF: TH-AL-13-001-EN-C - ISBN: 978-92-9213-349-8", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "EN PDF: TH-AL-13-001-EN-C - ISBN: 978-92-9213-349-8" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "f7db5c9c-cbd8-4829-97b1-71e589e979fc": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "hidden": true, "section": true } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "18b760c9-9207-4911-9fed-71868d7e99f2", "b4900f67-df5c-4ae3-9bf4-f6e8061e6b8c", "a609f125-29bc-4119-abe9-90e73a2597cf", "c19dca87-3513-4d05-9b69-4f031c7e6399", "f7db5c9c-cbd8-4829-97b1-71e589e979fc", "d9cf70d9-eefc-4fea-8ff7-5a02881e19db", "a855e34f-b59b-4a45-b38a-fa1746cb906b", "bdb5f43a-ef3d-42d8-99e2-36033aceaf92", "b6d39691-72fd-47b1-9f13-8ed0649ff7ac" ] }, "settings": { "backgroundColor": "#f9f9f9" } } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "20490e40-34d1-4dce-a424-fffcd6e4374a", "b7a84107-5bf1-4107-aca6-e67d32913f23" ] } }, "gridCols": [ "oneThird", "twoThirds" ], "gridSize": 12, "styles": { "style_name": null } }, "9f65b343-152c-4363-81d5-53fa45f78c36": { "@layout": "d7d5dfa6-68fd-41b4-92c5-6c36f8affb32", "@type": "dividerBlock", "block": "eb802af6-16c8-4e07-85f8-b14b80d2b98a", "hidden": true, "section": true } }
Blocks Layout { "items": [ "050e7410-e376-4ff3-9a9c-7c2a7dd2b8d9", "57c613cc-033b-4e86-a512-f15edd389e9f", "841c0aa2-74fe-404f-8726-9343eca9ac85", "2e634209-c5a6-4040-b2fa-9197c405717b", "8cb1f07e-229e-43a7-9f94-20d43314dde8", "9f65b343-152c-4363-81d5-53fa45f78c36", "844989f1-6db8-4ccd-ab71-54fcf566fdcc" ] }
EEA core metadata
Topics Environmental health impacts, Sustainability solutions
Temporal coverage { "temporal": [] }
Geographical coverage { "geolocation": [ { "label": "Earth", "value": "geo-6295630" } ] }
Publisher
Rights
Other organisations involved
Add sources for the data used { "data": [] }
Categorization
Related Items
Settings
Short name late-lessons-2
Versioning enabled yes
Preview image
Preview image
Preview image caption
Contents
Part A - Lessons from health hazards

Part A commences with an analysis of 'false positives' showing that these are few and far between as compared to false negatives and that carefully designed precautionary actions can stimulate innovation, even if the risk turns out not to be real or as serious as initially feared.

Part B - Emerging lessons from ecosystems

Part B focuses on emerging lessons from the degradation of natural systems and their wider implications for society - booster biocides, the pill and the feminisation of fish, climate change, floods, insecticides and honeybees as well as ecosystem resilience more broadly.

Part C - Emerging issues

Part C analyses some newly emerging and large‑scale products, technologies and trends, which potentially offer many benefits but also potentially much harm to people and ecosystems and thereby ultimately economic development.

Part D - Costs, justice and innovation

The chapters in part D analyse the reasons behind prevailing practice and then go on to offer insights, for example, on how cost calculation methods can be improved; on how insurance schemes could be used to compensate future victims of harm; and on the reasons why businesses frequently ignore early warnings.

Part E - Implications for science and governance

Part E considers the governance implications for science, public policy and public engagement, and how current practices could be improved to enable society to maximise the benefits of innovations while minimising harms on the basis of the cases in Parts A-D.

Single chapters

Each chapter of Late lessons from early warnings II is provided as a single pdf file.