The event ‘Certifying the sustainability of biological resources in the forest industry: A multistakeholder perspective’ organised by the EU-funded BioReCer project offers an opportunity to bring together all major stakeholders of the Swedish forestry sector.
A wide range of EU policies and initiatives are linked to forests and the ecosystem services they provide, including biodiversity and climate change mitigation. This is recognised in the EU Forest Strategy for 2030, the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the EU Nature Restoration Law and in the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). Forest therefore also play an important role in the EU Bioeconomy Strategy by supporting employment in rural areas[1].
The countries with the largest forest areas in the EU are Sweden (28 million hectares), Finland (22 million hectares) and Spain (19 million hectares), as estimated for 2021. In particular, 69% of Sweden is covered with forests. The forest industry represents approximately 10-12% of the Swedish industry in terms of employment and sales. Industrial forest processing is well-controlled and results in large volumes of GROT (branches, roots, tips), saw dust, bark and sludge[2].
How can industries increase the value of these biological resources? How to guarantee their traceability in the value chain? Why is it useful to increase consumer confidence towards products made from biodegradable materials?
The development of new quality standards for organic products is the new frontier of sustainability on which the consortium of the new EU-funded project “BioReCer” (Biological Resources Certifications Schemes) is working with the aims to assessing and complementing current certification schemes for biological resources according to the new EU sustainability goals to enhance bio-based circular systems. This will be achieved by including new criteria that align with EU taxonomy and EU corporate due diligence regulations into guidelines for certifying biological resources’ sustainability, origin, tracking and traceability (T&T), and by ensuring applicability at EU and global scale.
BioReCer considers different value chains. These include green chemicals and materials that comprise potential products derived from bio feedstocks. In addition, the approach covers the valorisation of other associated residual streams, e.g. warm [AS1] water and CO₂.
Apart from residues and side streams coming from the forest industry in Sweden, BioReCer also focuses on agricultural waste (Greece), fish cannery industry and urban or industrial sewage sludge (Spain), and urban biowaste (Italy).
By promoting the sustainability and trade of biological resources, BioReCer aims to increase the added value, use, as well as social acceptance of bio-based products. In this context, stakeholders play a crucial role as they bring diverse perspectives, expertise and interests. Their involvement in the BioResources Stakeholders Platform and active participation in various stakeholder activities like focus group discussions and surveys ensures that the project aligns with real-world needs, enhances the relevance of outcomes, and fosters broader acceptance and implementation of the proposed guidelines and certification schemes.
Stakeholder Event “Certifying the sustainability of biological resources in the forest industry: a multistakeholder perspective”
Date: Thursday, 13th June 2024
Schedule: 10 am to 2 pm (CET)
Location: RISE Örnsköldsvik premises, Hörneborgsvägen 10, 892 50 Domsjö, Sweden
In person
Agenda: (download here)
9:30-10:15 Isabel Burdallo (RISE) and Pedro Villanueva Rey (CETAQUA) – Welcome with brief introduction to the project and presentation of the project video
10:15 – 10:45 Eliza Nika (Brunel) – Indicators & Framework presentation and brainstorming session
10:45 – 11: 05 Sebelan Danishvar (Brunel University) – Tracking and Traceability Principles
11:05 – 11: 55 Romain Magnani (EGM) – Presentation of the BioReCer ICT Tool (BIT)
11:55 – 12:00 Mariano Votta (ACN) and RISE – Closing remarks
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 15:00 Site Visit
About BioReCer project
The BioReCer project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
[1] https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Forests,_forestry_and_logging
[2] https://biorecer.eu/project/#case
[AS1]Waste?
Source
Biorecer, event release, 2024-05-21.
Supplier
European Union
nova-Institut GmbH
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