The new 2016 report of the Eco-Innovation Observatory of the European Commission discusses the role of policy for eco-innovation in the circular economy transition. It looks at the present framework conditions fostered by European policies and how the circular economy concept is being embedded in a current policy context at the EU level and in the Member States. It also discusses the bottom-up and top-down circular economy challenges.
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Study (2017): Global Wood Pellet Industry and Trade
The global production of wood pellets has increased four-fold over the past ten years - from an estimated 6-7 megatons (Mt) in 2006 to more than 26 Mt in 2015/16.
Study (2017): Production, use, and fate of plastics
This is the result of the publication of a research group by Roland Geyer from the University of California. According to this, two million tons of plastics were produced worldwide in 1950 - in 2015, it was 380 million tons of plastic.
Research and Markets (2017): Global bioplastics market
This is the result of a study conducted by the market research institute 'Research and Markets'. The study examines the global market for bioplastics on the basis of different segments: by type, application and region. In order to draw a full picture of the market, important drivers, limitations and trends are shown. The report also analyses the key players in the global bioplastics market and provides comprehensive forecasts for different segments.
Open Access accelerates sustainability
New breakthroughs in science occur almost daily. Many of them would be very useful to further a more sustainable economy and to provide food and shelter for a growing population. However, customarily, new results are published in scientific journals and many of those charge expensive subscription fees to researchers, universities, and interested readers around the world.
Update on the German Sustainability Strategy
In view of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda, the German government realigned the German Sustainability Strategy in 2017 and formulated concrete measures for sustainable development in various areas of society. Now the German government has published a further development of the German Sustainability Strategy. It takes up the "Decade for the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda" proclaimed in 2019 and also considers relevant political measures in response to the Corona crisis.
Visions in bioeconomy
It’s been more than two years since international and national players across policy and science discussed the meaning of bioeconomy at the „Global Bioeconomy Summit“ (GBS). More than 700 guests from 82 countries came to Berlin for the two-day meeting in order to talk about such pivotal topics as global warming, protecting the environment, decarbonisation, and the fight against world hunger.
Diverse bacterial enzymes degrade plastic
Polyethylene terephalate, better known as PET, is one of the most important plastics worldwide. However, only a small part of the production will be recycled - far more material ends up polluting the environment. According to information from the Federal Environmental Agency, it takes up to 450 years before a PET bottle dissolves by itself. As early as 2016, researchers first discovered a bacterium that is able to decompose plastic. To date, however, only a few enzymes are known that possess this ability.
Europe’s first registered microbe-collection
Microbes, fungi and bacteria are important resources for the bioeconomy. All three of them can be used either for degradation processes of biological material as for instance in a biogas plant, or for the production of materials or vegan food. However, the use and above all the international exchange of these resources is subject to strict legal requirements.
Global Bioeconomy Summit in Berlin
For the second time, the German Bioeconomy Council, with the financial support of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), has invited experts on bioeconomy, innovation, and sustainability from all over the world to Berlin. The Council has been established as an independent advisory board to the Federal Government in 2009. During the Summit, which will take place on April 19 and 20, the focus will be on opportunities and challenges for an increasingly biobased and sustainable economy.