Overview   Sustainable development

Texts adopted

This report analyses the opportunities and policy challenges facing the bio-economy in transitioning to a more sustainable agro-food system. It provides an overview of national bio-economy- strategies based on a literature review and information provided by governments in response to a questionnaire.

The EU will soon have in place a common classification system to encourage private investment in sustainable growth and contribute to a climate neutral economy. EU ambassadors endorsed a political agreement reached between Finland's presidency of the Council and the European Parliament on a EU-wide classification system, or "taxonomy", which will provide businesses and investors with a common language to identify what economic activities can be considered environmentally sustainable.

Parliament negotiators reached an agreement with Council on new criteria to determine whether an economic activity is environmentally sustainable.

Becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050 is the greatest challenge and opportunity of our times. To achieve this, the European Commission presented the European Green Deal, the most ambitious package of measures that should enable European citizens and businesses to benefit from sustainable green transition. Measures accompanied with an initial roadmap of key policies range from ambitiously cutting emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, to preserving Europe’s natural environment. Supported by investments in green technologies, sustainable solutions and new businesses, the Green Deal can be a new EU growth strategy. Involvement and commitment of the public and of all stakeholders is crucial to its success. Above all, the European Green Deal sets a path for a transition that is just and socially fair. It is designed in such a way as to leave no individual or region behind in the great transformation ahead.

The Council adopted conclusions on the updated bioeconomy strategy for Europe. In its conclusions, the Council expresses its support for the updated bioeconomy strategy set out in the Commission communication. It calls on member states to implement this strategy without delay and on the Commission to facilitate and drive forward its implementation.

The increasing demands from a growing global population for food, feed, bioenergy, timber and other commodities are the main drivers of deforestation. In our increasingly interconnected and globalised world, our rate of consumption, individually and locally, has an impact at the other side of the globe. A forest area measuring 1.3million square kilometers was lost between 1990 and 2016. This is the equivalent of 800 football fields of forest being lost by the hour, every day of the year!

The European Commission and Denmark signed a transfer agreement for a voluntary contribution of around €10 million (DKK 75 million) to the EU External Investment Plan.

WBCSD released the CEO Guide to the Circular Bioeconomy, a call for the shift towards a sustainable, low-carbon, circular bioeconomy.

Environment at a Glance is the OECD platform for environmental indicators. It gives access to the most recent data through interactive graphics and provides key messages on major environmental issues. The indicators shown provide a tool to track environmental performance and progress towards sustainable development.

The Bio-based Innovation Student Challenge Europe (BISC-E) seeks to promote breakthrough innovation in the bio-based sector in an annual competition between some of Europe’s most promising university students (BSc & MSc). The five teams presented their innovative projects to an audience of leading figures from the bio-based industry.

One year after the Commission had launched its updated European Bioeconomy Strategy, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) ​and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) organised together with the European Commission an event on European Bioeconomy: Regions, Cities and Civil Society in Brussels on October 16.

Now in its third year, the Award recognises projects that contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement and the achievement of the socio-cultural, socio-economic and technological transformation of societies, using the 15 pathways outlined in the Basque Declaration.

FAO report provides new estimates of food loss from post-harvest up to retail to help identify appropriate measures for an effective reduction

Physiological parameters in our blood can be determined without painful punctures. Empa researchers are currently working with a Canadian team to develop flexible, biocompatible nanocellulose sensors that can be attached to the skin.

Workshop - The Normative Dimension of Transformations towards a Sustainable Bioeconomy