Towards a more plant-based bioeconomy for Europe

Abstract

In alignment with the European Council’s strategic agenda for 2024–2029, the new European Union (EU) Bioeconomy Strategy — expected to be launched by the end of 2025 — aims to boost competitiveness, increase the number of green jobs and promote a bioeconomy that prioritizes different uses of biomass while respecting ecological boundaries¹. The strategy will be aligned with the EU Competitiveness Compass, the Clean Industrial Deal, the Vision for Agriculture and Food, the Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

When finalizing its new strategy, the European Commission should consider the principles for a circular bioeconomy outlined by Muscat et al.²: (1) safeguarding and regenerating the health of our (agro)ecosystems; (2) avoiding non-essential products and the waste of essential ones; (3) prioritizing biomass streams for basic human needs; (4) utilizing and recycling by-products of (agro)ecosystems; and (5) using renewable energy while minimizing overall energy use. Considering these principles in light of recent global developments and geopolitical instability makes it evident that a bioeconomy that is more plant-based will be necessary for achieving the strategy’s specific objectives of increasing resource efficiency and circularity, ensuring long-term competitiveness and investment security, securing competitive and sustainable supply, and positioning the EU in the international market.