Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy

JRC scientists have contributed to the European Commission proposal of legally binding food waste reduction targets to be achieved by the EU Member States by 2030, published on 5th July as part of the Farm to Fork Strategy. They have analysed the potential economic, social and environmental impacts of cutting EU food waste by 2030, assessed environmental benefits linked to food waste reduction and prepared a compendium of tools, best practices, and recommendations for policymakers, researchers, businesses, and practitioners, to take action against food waste at consumer level. In this context, the Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy has contributed to communicate and disseminate the work of the European Consumer Food Waste Forum.

This report by DG Research and Innovation (DG RTD) reflects on the future of sustainable food systems in line with the priorities of the Food 2030 initiative. It seeks to share good practices and to serve as inspiration for more urban areas wishing to transform their food systems. The report is based on a survey of 22 European urban food system transformation projects, in-depth interviews, and a workshop with representatives of some 25 European projects and networks.

Jointly produced by DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) and the Joint Research Centre, the 2023 edition of this report highlights the evolution of the blue economy sectors since 2010. It shows that despite the negative impact of the COVID19 pandemic and the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, most of the analysed sectors increased their economic performances.

The Group of Science Advisors from SAPEA (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies) has released a report presenting the evidence for the main levers and actions to shape food consumption for the mutual benefit of environmental sustainability and public health, including health-related inequalities. The authors looked at food system impacts, food environment and consumer behaviour, as well as at policy and strategies to overcome the barriers that hinder sustainable and healthy food consumption.

As part of the EU soil strategy for 2030, the EU proposed a new Soil Health Law to help achieve healthy soils by 2050. The proposal puts in place a solid and coherent monitoring framework, combining data from multiple sources to support innovative and evidence-based solutions in farming practices. In addition, it requires EU Member States to define positive and negative practices for soil management as well as regeneration measures based on national soil health assessments, useful to inform LULUCF, CAP and water management policies. Finally, the proposal requests that Member States address soil contamination issues, applying the ‘polluter pays’ principle.

On 5 July 2023, the Commission presented the 2023 Strategic Foresight Report, on how to put ‘sustainability and people's wellbeing at the heart of Europe's Open Strategic Autonomy', identifying six key social and economic challenges and ten concrete actions to achieve a successful transition. The Communication builds on the JRC Report "Towards a fair and sustainable Europe 2050: Social and economic choices in sustainability transitions", where the crucial role of the bioeconomy is highlighted in one of the scenarios of a sustainable EU 2050.

On 29 June 2023, the EU Regulation on deforestation-free supply chains entered into force, stepping up EU’s engagement with producer and consumer countries to prevent deforestation and forest degradation in any part of the world while promoting sustainable consumption. Operators and traders will have 18 months to implement the new rules covering palm oil, cattle, soy, coffee, cocoa, timber and rubber as well as derived products. The list of commodities that are covered will be regularly updated taking into account the evolution of the deforestation.