The European Commission has launched a comprehensive EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, aiming to make the EU the world’s top destination for technology-driven innovative companies. One of the key components of this strategy is the expansion of the European Innovation Council (EIC), which plays a vital role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe.
Everything is ready in Catania to host the first edition of the BioINSouth Forum. The Sicilian city will be the Mediterranean capital of bioeconomy from June 4 to June 6, thanks to the forum that will bring together leaders and experts from various sectors and disciplines from South Europe and beyond. They discuss and outline the R&I priorities in bioeconomy, in conjunction with the particularities of the South European regions.
Pope Francis passed away yesterday morning. We want to remember him also for the messages he delivered on the climate and environmental crises, which were forceful and direct. He called the leaders of fossil fuel companies into the Vatican to hold them to account; declared a global climate emergency, in 2019; and in his final months, held a conference on “the economics of the common good”. He was a prowerful pope, alongside the poor and migrants, against wars. For these reasons Pope Francis was loved even by non-Catholic and non-religious people.
Here you find the Encyclal letter “Laudato Si’” on care for our Common Home. It recognized climate change as a global problem with significant consequences, especially for the poor, and criticized developed countries, which have contributed the most planet-heating pollution.
We know that Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s first big environmental move after being elected leader of the Catholic Church was his choice of the papal name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi, known among other things for his appreciation of the natural world.
Eni and KKR have closed the transaction contemplated by the investment agreement, announced last February, for the increase of KKR’s stake in Enilive through the purchase of Enilive’s shares from Eni representing 5% of the share capital, for a consideration of approximately 601 million euros.
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Gregory Jaffe was Senior Advisor for Regulatory Affairs in the Office of the Secretary at USDA during the Biden Administration. He is now Founder and President of a policy consulting firm based in Washington DC, specializing in agriculture, food, environmental, and climate policy, both domestic and international.
In this exclusive interview with Il Bioeconomista, he talks about the prospects for the bioeconomy in the United States under the new Trump Administration and the relations between the United States and the European Union in this new era of tariffs.
“The Trump Administration – Jaffe says – will need to ensure the United States has an enabling environment that supports biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and the bioeconomy”.
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
We are navigating turbulent times, yet the bioeconomy continues to gain momentum, demonstrating its resilience and relevance across the globe. In just the past month, we have seen remarkable developments from various regions – each reinforcing the growing recognition of bio-based solutions as a pathway to sustainability and economic transformation. Here are some of the latest developments shaping the future of the bioeconomy.
Yesterday, the Commission presented the Clean Industrial Deal, a bold business plan to support the competitiveness and resilience of European industry. “The Deal will accelerate decarbonisation, while securing the future of manufacturing in Europe.” “Faced with high energy costs and fierce and often unfair global competition, our industries – the EU Commission stated – need urgent support. This Deal positions decarbonisation as a powerful driver of growth for European industries. This framework can drive competitiveness as it gives certainty and predictability to companies and investors that Europe remains committed to become a decarbonised economy by 2050.”
“Currently, there are policy frameworks for food, feed and bioenergy, but not for bio-based chemicals and derived materials. This gap puts the bio-based chemicals and derived materials sector at a disadvantage, and has also an impact on investments in Europe.”. Dirk Carrez, executive director of BIC (Biobased Industries Consortium) talks to Il Bioeconomista.
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
Fourteen cluster from eleven different European countries will launch today in Brussels the European Bioeconomy Clusters Alliance (EU Bioeconomy Clusters Alliance), a new European network that unites efforts to boost the growth of a circular and sustainable bioeconomy across Europe.
“For me and Futerro, innovation in the bioeconomy is all about reinvention and transition. It’s about finding alternative solutions that weave sustainability, circularity, and ecological resilience into the very core of what we do.” To say it – in this exclusive interview with Il Bioeconomista – is Frederic Van Gansberghe, CEO of Futerro and the Most Innovative Bioeconomy CEO 2024.
According to him, “there is a clear gap between Europe’s ambitions and reality. Many industrial players usually ask to reduce the number of regulations and directives; in my case, I would request to increase their quality”
Interview by Mario Bonaccorso
IL BIOECONOMISTA 