UN SDGs – how to measure the bio-based sector’s contribution?

The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) has commissioned guidance produced by the Institute of European Environmental Policy (IEEP) enabling the bio-based industries to better measure how bio-based projects contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This first-of-its-kind guidance for the bio-based sector sets out specific indicators and the methodological steps for assessing the impact of bio-based projects on SDGs, whether they are financed through public or private sources or realised independently.

BIC first published a paper in 2018 identifying the SDGs which the bio-based sector is already actively supporting. The new guidance developed by the IEEP think tank now equips companies with the right tools to measure this contribution quantitively enabling them to better integrate sustainability indicators into their bio-based projects. The IEEP consulted with several BIC members to ensure the guidance reflects the practical needs of industry.

The guidance is also a demonstration of BIC’s commitment to realising its Vision 2050 for a circular bio-society which is guided by the SDGs objectives. It is part of a broader process to upscale sustainability practices across the bio-based industry involving a holistic set of stakeholders, including policymakers and civil society. A consultative workshop took place on 30 September for this purpose with aim of gathering feedback on effective implementation and building on the guidance in the future.

About IEEP

The Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) is a sustainability think tank with offices in Brussels and London. As a not-for-profit research organisation with over 40 years of experience, we are committed to advancing evidence-based and impact-driven sustainability policy across the EU and the world.

IEEP works with a range of policymakers, from local to European level, NGOs and the private sector, to provide evidence-based policy research, analysis and advice. Our work is independent and informed by a diverse set of views. As a charitable organisation with an educational mandate, we ensure all our work contributes to advancing knowledge and raising awareness; and to promoting evidence-based policymaking for greater sustainability in Europe.

About BIC

The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) is the private partner in the EUR 3.7 EUR billion public-private partnership with the EU – the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU). Its membership includes 240+ industry members covering the whole value chain, from primary production to the market, across multiple and diverse sectors, such as agriculture & agri-food, aquaculture & marine, chemicals and materials, including bioplastics, forestry and pulp & paper, market sectors, technology providers and waste management & treatment. BIC’s membership also includes over 200 associate members such as research organisations, academia, trade associations, etc. To learn more about BIC, you can consult our brochure here.

The guidance can be consulted here: https://biconsortium.eu/bio-based-SDGs.