EU commission to champion bio-fuels and chemicals

The European Commission adopted on the 13 February 2012 a strategy to shift the European economy towards greater and more sustainable use of renewable resources. With the world population approaching 9 billion by 2050 and natural resources finite, Europe needs renewable biological resources for secure and healthy food and feed, as well as for materials, energy, and other products.

The Commission's strategy and action plan, 'Innovating for Sustainable Growth: a Bioeconomy for Europe', outlines a coherent, cross-sectoral and inter-disciplinary approach to the issue. The goal is a more innovative and low-emissions economy, reconciling demands for sustainable agriculture and fisheries, food security, and the sustainable use of renewable biological resources for industrial purposes, while ensuring biodiversity and environmental protection.

The plan therefore focuses on three key aspects: developing new technologies and processes for the bioeconomy; developing markets and competitiveness in bioeconomy sectors; and pushing policymakers and stakeholders to work more closely together.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 14.2.12: EU strategy seeks brisk development of bio-economy http://www.euractiv.com/sustainability/eu-strategy-calls-brisk-development-bio-economy-news-510756

European Commission: RAPID: Press Release, IP/ 12/124: Commission proposes strategy for sustainable bioeconomy in Europe http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/12/124&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Communication ... Innovating for Sustainable Growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe, February 2012 http://ec.europa.eu/research/bioeconomy/pdf/201202_innovating_sustainable_growth.pdf

ESO: Background information: Bioeconomy for a better life http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-bioeconomy-for-a-better-life/

Website: EuropaBio: Bio-based economy http://www.bio-economy.net/

OECD: International Futures Programme: Long-term Technological & Societal Challenges:: Bioeconomy http://www.oecd.org/department/0,3355,en_2649_36831301_1_1_1_1_1,00.html

European Commission: DG Research & Innovation: Bioeconomy http://ec.europa.eu/research/bioeconomy/

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