Building a Bio-based Economy for Europe in 2020
08.09.2010
Building a Bio-based Economy for Europe in 2020
Meeting market demands whilst reducing the impact on our environment is of critical importance to our future on this planet. In order to meet the ambitious objectives set by the European Union and other nations to tackle climate change, we will need to harness all available technologies. Regulation will play a key role in ensuring that new technologies come to market in time to make a difference to reducing our carbon footprint and mitigating the impacts of climate change. We will need some bold regulatory moves.
Biotechnology is a very versatile tool, offering a broad range of techniques applicable to a variety of industries. This technology is helping to improve industrial sustainability by bringing environmental advantages and economic competitiveness – as well as creating new job opportunities. Biotechnology has the potential to contribute to the transformation of our economic model; it is demonstrating that it is the right science at the right time.
Industrial biotechnology can contribute to reducing fossil carbon consumption and global warming in many ways. It is contributing to the development of more environmentally responsible ways to produce materials and fuels. In other fields, biotechnology is already improving the health of our ageing population through a new generation of medical treatments, and making agriculture more competitive and sustainable by creating new non-food markets for crops that are providing alternative economies for farmers. Europe is at the forefront of industrial biotechnology. With the right policies and focus, Europe should be able to develop and implement a clear strategy for deploying the world’s leading bio-based economy by 2020.
In order to benefit from the full potential of Europe’s resources and its academic and industrial capabilities, the Commission and the member states need an integrated and holistic approach to develop a sustainable and competitive bio-based economy. It will be essential to have coherent policy across many sectors, such as climate action, energy security, renewable feedstock supplies, research and innovation, agriculture, the environment, and trade. It will also require the ongoing dedication and commitment of all stakeholders to make it happen.
With this guide, EuropaBio and its members aim to show that if we act together now to seize this opportunity, we can harness the full potential and benefits of biotechnology for the future of Europe, Europeans and the world.
