Suchergebnisse

Cascading use of biomass is a recognized strategy contributing to an efficient development of the bioeconomy and for mitigating climate change. This study aims at assessing the potential of cascading use of woody biomass for reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions and increasing the overall wood flow efficiency in the European Union's forest and bioeconomy sectors. A scenario and life cycle approach was followed to quantify the potential benefits of cascading use of woody biomass. We started from a reference scenario in which (post-consumer) waste wood and paper are re-utilized for energy only (S0). Then we compared the reference scenario with two alternative scenarios, the current waste wood and paper recycling practices (S1) and the maximum technical potential to increase recycling of waste wood and paper flows (S2). Following a supply chain perspective, different stages of production were analysed, including forgone fossil-fuels substitution, optimization at manufacturing level and forest regrowth. Through cascading use, the wood use efficiency ratio (cascade factor) in the European wood sector would be increased by 23% (S0 vs S1) and 31% (S0 vs S2) and GHG emissions (cradle-to-gate energy use) would be reduced by 42% (28 MtCO2-eq/year) and 52% (35 MtCO2-eq/year) in scenarios S1 and S2. However, increased wood product cascading is counter effected in the short term by reduced savings in the energy sector by 49% and 48% (43 and 42 MtCO2-eq/year) in scenarios S1 and S2 due to delayed availability of waste wood and waste paper fibers. This explorative study highlights the potential of cascading use of woody biomass in the wood production chains to contribute to a reduction of environmental impacts related to wood resource and energy use, but it also reveals trade-offs in terms of GHG emissions reduction, relevant especially in meeting short-term (2020e2030) renewable energy targets.

Under the auspices of the EU's new Circular Economy Action Plan and Bioeconomy Strategy, the usage of sustainably renewable biomass for bio-based chemicals is a part-solution for addressing the multidimensional challenges of (inter alia) growth and employment, food and energy security, climate change and biodiversity. Unfortunately, the lack of a formal system of European data classification and collection presents a major obstacle to measuring, monitoring and ex-ante modelling of the bio-based chemicals sector, which clouds the ability to make science-based policy and legislative judgements. Employing a combination of different data sources and plausible assumptions, this paper seeks to overcome some of these data gaps through the compilation of a meaningful set of economic and sustainability indicators for specific bio-based chemical activities and products. Due to the variety of data sources employed for each indicator, a data quality index is constructed, whilst rigorous comparisons with other studies and further critical discussion reaffirms the general observation of poor data quality. Subject to these data and methodological limitations, this paper analyses the performance of bio-based chemical industries. As long as official data sources lack adequate information systems, the current paper serves as a springboard for lowering the data 'entry costs' behind this intricate sector, encouraging further knowledge-sharing and serving as a replication template for other regions. ; Published

Life and biological sciences and technologies are enablers for bio-based innovations that bear the potential to use natural resources sustainably, by reducing dependence on fossil fuels, by protecting the environment and climate, ensuring food security, and maintaining international competitiveness. This study presents the 50 most significant bio-based innovations for the next 5-20 years. The portfolio of top 50 bio-based innovations covers on the one hand cross-cutting technologies and approaches, enabling many different applications, on the other hand innovation areas or solutions to challenges, which may be enabled by different technologies or approaches. Together with a policy and innovation ecosystem analysis and four bio-based innovation scenarios for Europe in 2030, the study provides strategic knowledge for policy makers, innovation stakeholders and society. It reveals that in order to fully exploit the potential of bio-based innovations stakeholders have to implement strategic approaches and various actions. Potential measures are ranging from further support of Research & Development, to knowledge transfer and collaboration, demand-oriented measures as well as to strive for higher coherence between different regions in the European Union.