Conclusions on the updated Bioeconomy Strategy "A sustainable Bioeconomy for Europe: strengthening the connection between economy, society and the environment" - Adoption
29.11.2019
Competitiveness Council – 29 November 2019
Conclusions on the updated EU bioeconomy strategy
Source: EU Council
Key messages of the Finnish Presidency on occasion of the Competitiveness Council
- the Presidency outlined the key features of the EU bioeconomy strategy. Firstly, the strategy set out to reduce pressure on the environment whilst ensuring the EU’s competitiveness and securing a fair and inclusive transition for all;
- Need for less dependency on fossil-based products, thus helping to achieve EU climate targets;
- furthermore, the bioeconomy can provide opportunities in sustainable growth throughout Europe, in rural, urban and coastal areas;
- today, the bioeconomy represented 10% of the EU’s economy. The Presidency is convinced that biomass had the potential to replace fossil resources throughout the value chains, in particular the plastic, chemicals and energy sectors;
- a broader perspective is needed in order to further increase the availability of bio-based materials, for example through:
- increased resource-efficiency;
- better use of side streams and bio-waste;
- new production crops;
- enhanced forest biomass yield per hectare.
- in the long-term, a sustainable and circular economy must be considered, as well as the role of bio-based value chains within it in order to allow for the best product and material longevity;
- consumer behaviour and product design are key elements in this regard.
Copy of the Conclusions on the updated EU bioeconomy strategy is available HERE.
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