Explore what regions do on bio-economy

BACKGROUND:

The vision of a society that is far less dependent on fossil fuels for energy and industrial raw materials, is closer than ever to becoming a reality in Europe. The application of biotechnology for the sustainable processing and production of chemicals, materials and fuels from biomass creates an opportunity to reduce significantly our dependence on coal, oil and gas. With its new Europe 2020 strategy, the EU has created a framework through which to achieve an ambitious series of goals – economic, social and environmental – by the end of this decade. The growth of bio-based products opens up diverse pathways towards the achievement of these goals.


KEY QUESTIONS:

During the breakfast briefing we'll try to answer the following questions:

• What is the BioBased Economy?
• How does it contribute to the Europe2020 strategy
• What is the role of regions in fostering a Biobased Economy?

SPEAKERS:

• Antonio DI GIULIO, EC, DG Research and Innovation, Head of Unit of Policy aspects and coordination;
• Dirk CARREZ, EuropaBio;
• Rob van EIJKEREN, Head of office, House of the Dutch Provinces;
• Milos LABOVIC, House of the Dutch Provinces;
• Bert SCHAMPERS, House of the Dutch Provinces.

POLICY RELEVANCE:

The EC is planning to issue a Commission Communication outlining a European strategy to develop a sustainable knowledge-based Bio-Economy, integrated into overall European policy, and linked to the Common Agriculture and Fisheries Policies, as well as Industrial and Environmental policies. The Communication will also propose an Agenda for delivering the strategy, detailing the specific steps needed at European, national and regional levels to achieve its goals. The Commission plans to adopt the Communication in the autumn of 2011, and possibly it will be on the agenda of the Council of Ministers in spring 2012.

Directorate-General for Research and Innovation has launched a public consultation entitled "Bio-based economy for Europe: state of play and future potential". You can access it via this link: http://ec.europa.eu/research/consultations/bioeconomy/consultation_en.htm

PROJECTS - PARTNERS:

Together with it's partners from Flanders, the South-West Netherlands is revolutionizing it's industries and economy. The regional governments have partnered up with the agriculture-, food- and chemical industry to create a true innovation partnership of European dimensions. Come and see what Noord-Brabant and Zealand region working on and share your best practices!