18 February 202214 February 2022 Commission aims to decarbonise transport by equally taxing fossil and crop-based biofuels The EU official added that the real value of its minimum rates has eroded over time and a complex patchwork of exemptions and reductions has proliferated across the bloc since its introduction, leading to a “distortion across the single market”
10 years after the first EU bioeconomy strategy. An interview with Chris Patermann, the father of the European bioeconomy In this exclusive interview with Il Bioeconomista, Chris Patermann talks about the new challenges we are facing to make the new economy based on biological resources happen
10 February 20227 February 2022 Plastiktüten-Verbot greift zu kurz Auch Papier-Einwegtüten müssen reduziert werden
8 February 20227 February 2022 Sustainable products initiative Under its sustainable products initiative expected on 30 March, the European Commission will, for the first time, aim to ensure that all products placed on the EU market are designed with sustainability objectives in mind
1 February 202225 January 2022 Circular carbon dioxide seeks balance According to Earl Goetheer of TNO and Peter Moser of RWE, added value and energy consumption have to be in balance for the business case and the life cycle analysis to be conclusive
Bioplastics: Re-shaping the future of our planet The landscape of plastics and drivers for sustainable solutions
20 January 202217 January 2022 Agriculture Commissioner throws his weight behind carbon farming The Commissioner promised to "endeavour to ensure that carbon farming, to an extent as large as possible, will be incorporated in [CAP] strategic plans"
10 January 20226 January 2022 New ‘own resources’ for EU budget will come from carbon market, executive says EU countries need to agree to the new own resources or face paying back the COVID recovery fund themselves, said Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Budget and Administration
4 January 20221 January 2022 John Kerry: CO2-Grenzzölle sind „eine legitime Idee, die auf dem Tisch liegt“ Der Sonderbeauftragte des US-Präsidenten für Klimafragen John Kerry gibt Euractiv ein Interview
John Kerry: Carbon border tariffs are ‘a legitimate idea to have on the table’ US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kery gives an interview to Euractiv about the climate action
3 January 20221 January 2022 Adriano Alfani talks to Il Bioeconomista An exclusive interview with the CEO of Versalis
17 December 202113 December 2021 EU agricultural outlook 2021-31: lower demand for feed to impact arable crops All relevant market data, accompanied by an explanation of assumptions, and a description of the macroeconomic environment
EU carbon price could hit €100 by year end after record run – analysts As gas prices rise, it becomes more economical to burn coal, which requires more carbon permits and in turn pushes up prices on the carbon market
16 December 202113 December 2021 Advances in converting CO2 into polymers Sreeparna Das, independent specialist consultant to the chemicals industry and contributor to materials database Matmatch, outlines some key advancements in the market
10 December 20218 December 2021 EU plant 320 Millionen Euro für die Bodenforschung als Beitrag zur Kohlenstoffentfernung Nach Schätzungen der Europäischen Kommission betragen die mit der Verschlechterung der Bodenqualität verbundenen Kosten in der EU mehr als 50 Milliarden Euro pro Jahr. Außerdem gelten 60-70% der Böden in Europa als "ungesund"
EU earmarks €320 million for soil health research to contribute to carbon removal The funding from the EU’s framework programme for research and innovation will be used to support "living labs and lighthouses" to lead to transition towards healthy soils”
9 December 20216 December 2021 The new Common Agricultural Policy has been adopted and the maximum THC level on the field has been restored to 0,3% The EIHA went through to clear this theme on the European level - to open a long supressed market of sustainability
Starker Impuls für Nutzhanf in Europa: THC-Höchstgehalt auf dem Feld wieder bei 0,3% Die europäische Interessensvertretung des Nutzhanfs, EIHA, hat sich auf europäischem Level durchgekämpft, um der Nachhaltigkeit einen lange unterdrückten Markt zu öffnen
Finland set to reject EU taxonomy rules over biomass Finland has stated that it would oppose the EU taxonomy climate delegated act presented in April, Sweden is expected to align itself.
Finnland wird aufgrund von Biomasse gegen EU Taxonomie stimmen Finnland hat erklärt, dass es den im April vorgelegten delegierten Rechtsakt zur EU-Klimataxonomie ablehnen wird. Schweden wird sich voraussichtlich anschließen
7 December 20211 December 2021 Welcome to the Circular Bio-based Europe community CBE JU is the new BBI JU, nothing changes for you!
26 November 202123 November 2021 Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking to be launched at the end of November Partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) will build on the success of BBI JU to advance competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe
23 November 202118 November 2021 Renewable Energy Jobs Reach 12 Million Globally Report by IRENA and ILO underscores the jobs potential of an ambitious climate strategy and calls for comprehensive policies in support of a just transition
Farmers see chances in carbon farming but must be market-led In practice, by using various agricultural methods ranging from crop rotation, cover crops, and reduced tillage to precision nitrogen application, farmers aim to contribute to tackling climate change
Landwirt:innen sehen Chancen im Carbon Farming, müssen sich aber am Markt orientieren In der Praxis wollen Landwirt:innen durch den Einsatz verschiedener landwirtschaftlicher Methoden – die von Fruchtfolge, Deckfrüchten und reduzierter Bodenbearbeitung bis hin zur präzisen Stickstoffausbringung reichen – zur Bekämpfung des Klimawandels beitragen
12 November 202110 November 2021 COP26: European Commission announces €1 billion pledge to protect world forests Within the €1 billion pledged, €250 million will go to the Congo Basin, covering eight countries - it is the European Commission's contribution to the Global Forests pledge
COP 26: Europäische Kommission sagt 1 Mrd. EUR für den weltweiten Schutz der Wälder zu Von den zugesagten 1 Mrd. EUR sind 250 Mio. EUR für acht Länder des Kongobeckens vorgesehen - Europäische Kommission leistet ihren Beitrag zur globalen Waldschutzinitiative
9 November 20214 November 2021 Neuer UN-Bericht: Welt steuert auf 2,7 Grad Erwärmung zu Laut Generalsekretär Guterres droht die internationale Gemeinschaft ihr Ziel zur Begrenzung der Erderwärmung deutlich zu verfehlen
Closed loop recycling in Europe: What helps and what hinders? The new EU Circular Economy Action Plan is one of the main building blocks of the European Green Deal for a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and competitive economy
26 October 202122 October 2021 Accelerating electrification with the “Cracker of the Future” Consortium Today the “Cracker of the Future” consortium announces two new members and accelerating the development of a game changing technology for the electrification of the steam cracking process. This enables a revolutionary decrease in greenhouse gas emissions
Repsol + Versalis: Beteiligung am Konsortium “Cracker of the Future” Das “Cracker of the Future” Konsortium freut sich über zwei neue Mitglieder und kann seine wegweisende Entwicklung zur Verstromung des Steamcrackerverfahrens derart steigern, dass eine revolutionäre Einsparung von Klimagas-Emissionen möglich wird
22 October 202119 October 2021 “CIRCULAR FOAM” Project: Covestro aims to close material cycle for rigid foams used in refrigerators and buildings Development of innovative chemical recycling processes for rigid polyurethane foams as key to circular economy
“CIRCULAR FOAM”-Projekt: Covestro will Stoffkreisläufe für Hartschäume aus Kühlgeräten und Gebäuden schließen Entwicklung innovativer chemischer Recyclingverfahren für Polyurethan-Hartschäume als Schlüssel zur Kreislaufwirtschaft
24 September 202122 September 2021 BIObec: leveraging education to unlock the EU bioeconomy’s full potential Maximising the opportunities offered by the bioeconomy by interlinking universities, innovation labs, and R&D centres with industrial actors and regions
6 September 20219 September 2021 The REDWine project and climate change Reduction of greenhouse gases in wine production
Sustainable materials policy? Try bans and taxes Lux Research, an international research policy company based in Boston, published a report on sustainable materials policy. What are the most effective policy instruments in this area?
19 August 20219 September 2021 European project to recover contaminated plastics from automotive, construction and electrical appliance industry waste The European NONTOX Project aims to eliminate hazardous and unpleasant substances from plastic waste and thus convert non-recyclable plastics and recycling waste into new resources.
12 August 20213 August 2022 Baustoffe aus Pilzen, Algen und Sonnenlicht natureplus Web-Seminar präsentierte inspirierende Innovationen, die den Bausektor nachhaltig verändern könnten
5 August 20213 August 2021 Danish Biotech Company Wants to Revolutionize Biochemical Production Danish biotech company Cysbio has developed new technology for producing hard-to-make biochemicals with minimal environmental impact. The potential is huge
30 July 20219 September 2021 EU’s green hydrogen plans hailed as ‘true game-changer’ by industry As part of its ‘Fit for 55’ package of climate legislation, the European Commission put forward several ways of boosting the use of renewable hydrogen
26 July 202123 July 2021 Europe fiddles while forests burn The European Union has failed a crucial test of leadership on emissions reduction by continuing to promote the burning of forest wood for energy as a major component of its Renewable Energy Directive 2 proposal
23 July 20219 September 2021 Green MEP: Voluntary schemes have failed biodiversity in forests Voluntary schemes have not been enough to protect biodiversity in Europe’s forests and more coordinated measures are needed to protect nature in the EU
‘Fit-for-55’ package: Squaring the circle Over the course of a few years the European Union promised more and more ambitious emission reductions
19 July 20219 September 2021 Europe could save €2 trillion by 2050 with low-carbon hydrogen, says report A new report by Deloitte says massive cost savings can be achieved on the way towards climate neutrality if gas is given a more prominent role
15 July 20219 September 2021 EU biofuels goals seen behind deforested area as big as the Netherlands The report analysed biodiesel production and consumption data from three statistical and market analysis agencies
14 July 20219 July 2021 10 years of EU’s failed biofuels policy has wiped out forests the size of the Netherlands – study T&E, who carried out the study, calls on the EU to end support to palm and soy biodiesel immediately to avoid further deforestation impacts
EU plastic rules worry manufacturers, environmentalists demand more In an effort to reduce pollution, the EU banned a range of single-use plastic products on Saturday, including straws, plates, cutlery and cotton bud sticks
How to make a success of the EU carbon border adjustment The current main tool to prevent carbon leakage is in its current form obstructing substantial emission reductions in industry and should therefore be phased out as soon as possible
13 July 20219 September 2021 Commissioner: Rejecting CAP plans on basis of Green Deal alignment ‘unimaginable’ The Commission will consistently continue dialogue with EU countries to push them towards plans which yield good results