Bioplastics: the Italian holistic approach to bioeconomy

EU ParliamentBrussels spoke Italian last Wednesday. On the eve of the official presentation of the “Green paper on plastic waste” by the European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potočnik, Kyoto Club presented on 6 March the European Parliament with “Bioplastics: A case study of Bioeconomy in Italy. A smart chemistry for a smarter life in a smarter planet”, a book – edited by Walter Ganapini – on the Italian experience of regulating the distribution of disposable plastic bags, in order to reduce environmental pollution.

The book presents the “Italian case” of bioeconomy, whose roots lie in the evolution of research and innovation in the biodegradable bioplastics sector on the one hand, and the virtuous development of the quality compost industry and separated municipal waste collection on the other. The connections between these two developments over the years have set in motion a whole series of virtuous modes of action and collaboration initiatives between various stakeholders (enterprises, institutions, research bodies, trade associations, consultancy companies and regional authorities) generating a connective tissue that is ideal to promote a change in the development model, putting the efficient use of resources at the centre.

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Waiting for the elections, dreaming Bastioli as the next Minister of Economic Development

Ministero dello Sviluppo economicoIt’s not just because she shows great vision and strategic economic sense (read the interview with our journal in this regard). It’s not just because she knows how to reconcile economic growth, creation of new skilled jobs and environmental sustainability. It’s certainly not just because she is a woman in a country, Italy, where women find thousand obstacles to occupy top positions in the economy, academia and politics. It’s not only for these reasons but for sure these are enough to dream Catia Bastioli, the current Ceo of Novamont and chairwoman of the Kyoto Club Italy, as the next Italian Minister of Economic Development.

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Geoghegan-Quinn da Dublino: ”Voglio una Europa alla guida non al seguito nella bioeconomia”

geoghegan-quinn.jpg“Voglio una Europa alla guida e non al seguito nella bioeconomia”. Questo il messaggio che lancia da Dublino Màire Geoghegan-Quinn, la commissaria europea alla Ricerca, all’Innovazione e alla Scienza. In veste di padrona di casa nella sua Irlanda, Geoghegan-Quinn ha voluto sottolineare l’impegno della Commissione Barroso a sostenere in ogni ambito la realizzazione della bioeconomia, definita tout court “l’economia del ventunesimo secolo”, supportando l’implementazione di strategie a livello regionale e nazionale in tutto il Continente, ma soprattutto impegnandosi per un coordinamento e una maggiore coerenza delle politiche europee. In questo senso la conferenza sulla Bioeconomia di Dublino ha offerto l’occasione per lanciare l’Osservatorio sulla Bioeconomia, a cui verrà affidato il compito di monitorare quanto viene realizzato nei singoli paesi, oltre che di raccogliere dati sull’evoluzione dei diversi mercati di riferimento.

 
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A Dublino si discute il futuro della Bioeconomia in Europa

parlamento irlandeseÈ tutto pronto a Dublino per il via alla Conferenza degli stakeholders europei della bioeconomia (Bioeconomy in the EU: achievements and directions for the future – potete seguirla in diretta su Twitter @bioeconomista). Nella splendida cornice offerta dal castello che domina la capitale d’Irlanda, Istituzioni, imprese e centri di ricerca provenienti da ogni angolo del Vecchio Continente si confronteranno giovedì 14 e venerdì 15 febbraio sui prossimi passi da realizzare per mettere in atto la strategia per la bioeconomia lanciata lo scorso anno dalla Commissione europea.

Proprio a Dublino si festeggerà il primo anniversario della strategia, di cui principale protagonista è la commissaria alla Ricerca, Innovazione e Scienza,  Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, chiamata a fare da padrona di casa in coincidenza con la Presidenza irlandese dell’Unione europea.

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Nasce il gruppo europeo dei leader dei carburanti sostenibili

canna da zucchero

Gli amministratori delegati di sette grandi aziende, tra produttori europei di biocarburanti e linee aeree, hanno lanciato oggi a Bruxelles una nuova iniziativa industriale per accelerare lo sviluppo in Europa dei biocarburanti sostenibili.

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David Cameron pushes green energy

david cameronThis is part of the text of David Cameron (UK’s Prime Minister)’s speech at the launch of DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change)’s energy efficiency mission

I want to tell you why I believe energy efficiency is so important. Yes of course it is a vital part of how we cut carbon emissions and continue to meet the ambitious targets set out in the Climate Change Act, which will allow us to meet growing energy demand in a way that protects the environment for our children, grandchildren and generations to come. Of course that is important, but my argument today is not just about doing what is right for our planet, but doing what is right for our economy too.

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Danish BioRefining Alliance: “We need the EU to speed up and decide on a better regulation with targets for 2G biofuels”

balle di fieno“By having the first full scale 2G biorefinery (Mossi & Ghisolfi’s Biorefinery in Crescentino, editor’s note) I am convinced that Italy will play one of the important and leading roles in 2G bioeconomy on a European level. We hope very much that the next full scale plant will be in Denmark.The EU countries have a unique chance to be first movers and preferred partners in the future global bioeconomy”. To say it, in this interview, is Anne Grete Holmsgaard, the director of the BioRefining Alliance, the Danish partnership organization working to promote 2G biofuels and bioeconomy in Europe. Denmark has a leading role in the European bioeconomy. With Anne Grete Holmsgaard we talk about BioRefining Alliance, but especially bioeconomy and  European policies to foster it. “We need – says the BioRefining Alliance’s director – the EU to speed up and decide on a better regulation with targets for 2G biofuels, which will give a very clear signal to investors.

Interview by Mario Bonaccorso

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New U.S. Biofuel Proposals Could Draw Heavily from Food Sources

biofuelsNew biofuel requirements proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are being met with concern by a spectrum of interest groups from environmentalists to the oil industry, with some warning that a gap between the proposal and existing law could force the government to draw on food-based alternative fuels.

The announcement, which opens a 45-day feedback period, sets standards under the country’s landmark Renewable Fuel Standard programme. That 2007 legislation established long-term goals for alternative fuel use – 36 billion gallons a year by 2022 – for which the EPA is mandated to set yearly requirements for the country’s petroleum importers and refiners.

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Waiting for a New Global New Deal. Is there a new F.D. Roosevelt in Europe (and in Italy)?

new deal rooseveltI am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our Nation impels. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.

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Exclusive interview with European Commissioner Màire Geoghegan-Quinn: “We must prepare ourselves for a post-petroleum society”

european commissioner maire geoghegan-quinn

“Europe and the rest of the world must cope with an expected 70 per cent increase in food demand, and a 100 per cent increase in energy demand, by 2050. Under these circumstances, we must prepare ourselves for a ‘post-petroleum’ society, one in which we use our natural resources more sustainably”. In this exclusive interview European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Màire Geoghegan-Quinn, talks about bioeconomy and European policies to support it. And tells us that “The Italian government is aware of the benefits of a coordinated bioeconomy strategy and expressed interest in possibly hosting the annual Bioeconomy Stakeholders Conference in Italy in 2014”.

Interview by Mario Bonaccorso

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