Operationalisation of bioeconomy sustainability principles

Project results are expected to deliver: new and improved knowledge on how to operationalise bioeconomy sustainability principles (e.g. cascading biomass use, food-first principle) across varied contexts; clarity on future sectoral availability and demand for different biomass types, enhancing transparency and informed decision-making by businesses, consumers and policymakers; novel approaches to capture and operationalise social sustainability (distributional and inter-generational justice) within Bioeconomy Monitoring Systems; increased deployment of environmentally, socially and economically sustainable bioeconomies across Europe; improved understanding of bioeconomy impacts on ecosystems and actionable options to protect or restore ecosystems, curb biodiversity loss and support climate action; and a contribution to more effective policy mixes and multi-level governance enabling a just, sustainable transition aligned with the European Green Deal and the EU 2030/2050 climate targets.

Proposals must: treat bioeconomy as a place-based policy framework, developing sustainability principles that are clear in intention yet flexible for diverse environmental, social and economic contexts; assess impacts of biomass use on ecosystems and devise options for protection or restoration; ensure sustainability principles can resolve conflicting objectives and prevent unintended negative consequences; cover cascading use of biomass and the food-first principle within value chains; operationalise social sustainability, including distributional (inter-national, intra-national, inter-regional) and inter-generational justice in Bioeconomy Monitoring Systems; demonstrate applicability via regional Innovation Valleys case studies; integrate SSH disciplines and gender analysis; implement the ‘multi-actor approach’ with a balanced mix of complementary actors (including rural stakeholders); include a dedicated work package for synergies with other EU programmes and initiatives; build on Global Resources Outlook 2024; and encourage international cooperation.