COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Innovating for Sustainable Growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe
Date: 2012-02-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU research policy, agronomic research, climate change, conservation of resources, innovation, management of resources, sustainable development

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 13.2.2012  
COM(2012) 60 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

Innovating for Sustainable Growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe 

{SWD(2012) 11 final} 

 
 
 
 
  
 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

Innovating for Sustainable Growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe 

STRATEGY FOR "INNOVATING FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH: A BIOECONOMY FOR EUROPE" 

1. 

A BIOECONOMY STRATEGY FOR EUROPE 

In  order  to  cope  with  an  increasing  global  population,  rapid  depletion  of  many  resources, 
increasing environmental pressures and climate change, Europe needs to radically change its 
approach  to  production,  consumption,  processing,  storage,  recycling  and  disposal  of 
biological resources. The Europe 2020 Strategy calls for a bioeconomy as a key element for 
smart  and  green  growth  in  Europe.  Advancements  in  bioeconomy  research  and  innovation 
uptake  will  allow  Europe  to  improve  the  management  of  its  renewable  biological  resources 
and  to  open  new  and  diversified  markets  in  food  and  bio-based  products.  Establishing  a 
bioeconomy  in  Europe  holds  a  great  potential:  it  can  maintain  and  create  economic  growth 
and jobs in rural, coastal and industrial areas, reduce fossil fuel dependence and improve the 
economic and environmental sustainability of primary production1 and processing industries. 
The bioeconomy thus contributes significantly to the objectives of the Europe 2020 flagship 
initiatives "Innovation Union" and "A Resource Efficient Europe".  

The  Bioeconomy  Strategy  and  its  Action  Plan  aim  to  pave  the  way  to  a  more  innovative, 
resource  efficient  and  competitive  society  that  reconciles  food  security  with  the  sustainable 
use of renewable resources for industrial purposes, while ensuring environmental protection. 
They will inform research and innovation agendas in bioeconomy sectors and contribute to a 
more  coherent  policy  environment,  better  interrelations  between  national,  EU  and  global 
bioeconomy  policies  and  a  more  engaged  public  dialogue.  They  will  seek  synergies  and 
respect  complementarities  with  other  policy  areas,  instruments  and  funding  sources,  which 
share  and  address  the  same  objectives,  such  as  the  Common  Agricultural  and  Fisheries 
Policies  (CAP  and  CFP),  the  Integrated  Maritime  Policy  (IMP),  environmental,  industrial, 
employment, energy and health policies.  

The Strategy builds on the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological 
Development  (FP7)  and  the  EU  Framework  Programme  for  Research  and  Innovation 
(Horizon  2020).  More  detailed  information  on  the  Bioeconomy  Strategy  is  included  in  the 
accompanying Staff Working Document (SWD). 

1.1.  What are the stakes? 

Europe  is  confronted  with  an  unprecedented  and  unsustainable  exploitation  of  its  natural 
resources, significant and potentially irreversible changes to its climate and a continued loss 
in  biodiversity  that  threaten  the  stability  of  the  living  systems  on  which  it  depends.  This  is 

1 

Note: Primary production in the context of this communication includes agriculture, forestry, fisheries 
and aquaculture. 

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exacerbated  by  a  world  population  expected  to  increase  by  more  than  30%  in  the  next  40 
years, from 7 billion in 2012 to more than 9 billion in 2050. Overcoming these complex and 
inter-connected  challenges  requires  research  and  innovation  in  order  to  achieve  rapid, 
concerted  and  sustained  changes  in  lifestyle  and  resource  use  that  cut  across  all  levels  of 
society and the economy. The welfare and well-being of Europe's citizens and that of future 
generations will depend on how the required transformations will be made.  

Over  the  last  decades,  many  policies  have  been  put  in  place  or  revised  by  the  EU  to  tackle 
these  challenges  and  drive  the  transformation  of  the  European  economy.  However,  the 
complex inter-dependencies that exist between challenges can lead to trade-offs, such as the 
controversy  about  competing  uses  of  biomass.  The  latter  arose  from  concerns  about  the 
potential impact on food security of the growing demand for renewable biological resources 
driven by other sectors, the use of scarce natural resources and the environment in Europe and 
third  countries.  Addressing  such  multi-dimensional 
issues  requires  a  strategic  and 
comprehensive approach involving different policies. Well-informed interaction is needed to 
promote consistency between policies, reduce duplication and improve the speed and spread 
of  innovation.  In  particular,  more  interaction  and  better  alignment  is  needed  between  EU 
research and innovation and the priorities of bioeconomy supporting policies.  

The  bioeconomy  provides  a  useful  basis  for  such  an  approach,  as  it  encompasses  the 
production of renewable biological resources and the conversion of these resources and waste 
streams into value added products, such as food, feed, bio-based products2 and bioenergy. Its 
sectors  and  industries3  have  strong  innovation  potential  due  to  their  use  of  a  wide  range  of 
sciences, enabling and industrial technologies4, along with local and tacit knowledge.  

1.2. 

Tackling societal challenges 

The  bioeconomy's  cross-cutting  nature  offers  a  unique  opportunity  to  comprehensively 
address  inter-connected  societal  challenges  such  as  food  security,  natural  resource  scarcity, 
fossil resource dependence and climate change, while achieving sustainable economic growth. 

Ensuring food security 

Global  population  growth  by  2050  is  estimated  to  lead  to  a  70%  increase  in  food  demand, 
which  includes  a  projected  twofold  increase  in  world  meat  consumption.  The  Bioeconomy 
Strategy  will  contribute  to  a  global  approach  in  meeting  this  challenge  by  developing  the 
knowledge-base  for  a  sustainable  increase  in  primary  production,  taking  into  account  all 
options from cutting-edge science to local and tacit knowledge. It will also encourage changes 
in  production  and  consumption  patterns  and  the  development  of  healthier  and  more 
sustainable diets. 

The  EU  food  manufacturing  sector  and  households  alone  waste  about  90  million  tonnes  of 
food annually or 180 kg per person, not taking into account losses in agriculture and fisheries. 

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4 

Note:  Bio-based  products  are  products  that  are  wholly  or  partly  derived  from  materials  of  biological 
origin,  excluding  materials  embedded  in  geological  formations  and/or  fossilised,  CEN  -  Report  on 
Mandate M/429 
The  bioeconomy  includes  the  sectors  of  agriculture,  forestry,  fisheries,  food  and  pulp  and  paper 
production, as well as parts of chemical, biotechnological and energy industries. 
The  bioeconomy  relies  on  life  sciences,  agronomy,  ecology,  food  science  and  social  sciences, 
biotechnology, nanotechnology, information and communication technologies (ICT), and engineering. 

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The  Strategy  will  support  more  resource-efficient  food  supply  chains  in  line  with  the 
Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe and the Blue Growth Initiative.  

Managing natural resources sustainably 

Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture require several essential and limited resources 
to  produce  biomass.  These  include  land,  sea  space,  fertile  and  functioning  soils,  water  and 
healthy  ecosystems,  but  also  resources  such  as  minerals  and  energy  for  the  production  of 
fertilisers. Their use also involves significant opportunity costs linked to the depletion or loss 
of ecosystem services. As competing uses of biomass and the legacy of past exploitation place 
these resources under severe pressure, the EU needs to produce "more with less" and develop 
smart sustainable farming, fisheries and aquaculture.  

The  Bioeconomy  Strategy  aims  to  improve  the  knowledge  base  and  foster  innovation  to 
achieve productivity increases while ensuring sustainable resource use and alleviating stress 
on the environment. Declining biodiversity can significantly degrade the quality of resources 
while constraining the yields of primary production, particularly in forestry and fisheries. The 
Strategy  will  thus  support  the  implementation  of  an  ecosystem-based  management.  It  will 
seek synergies and complementarities with the CAP, the CFP, the IMP and EU environmental 
policies on resource efficiency, sustainable use of natural resources, protection of biodiversity 
and habitats, as well as provision of ecosystem services. 

Global  challenges  demand  global  solutions.  The Bioeconomy Strategy will support a global 
approach  to  more  sustainable  resource  use.  This  will  include  developing  an  internationally 
shared  understanding  of  biomass  sustainability  and  best  practices  to  open  new  markets, 
diversify production and address long term food security issues.  

Reducing dependence on non-renewable resources 

The  European  economy  relies  heavily  on  fossil  resources  as  carbon  and  energy  sources, 
making  it  vulnerable  to  insecure  and  dwindling  supplies  and  market  volatility.  To  remain 
competitive, the EU needs to become a low carbon society where resource efficient industries, 
bio-based products and bioenergy all contribute to green growth and competitiveness.  

The Bioeconomy Strategy will include the results of the Lead Market Initiative on Bio-based 
Products  and  support  the  Blue  Growth  initiative,  the  Renewable  Energy  and  Fuel  Quality 
Directives'  targets  and  the  Strategic  Energy  Technology  plan  by  improving  the  knowledge-
base  and  fostering  innovation  for  producing  quality  biomass  (e.g.  industrial  crops)  at  a 
competitive price without compromising food security, adding pressure to primary production 
and the environment, or distorting markets in favour of energy uses. Furthermore, it will help 
understand  current  and  future  biomass  availability  and  demand  and  competition  between 
biomass uses, including their climate change mitigation potential, in order to ensure the long-
term  success  of  the  bioeconomy.  This  includes  making  alternative  sources  of  carbon  and 
energy more accessible (e.g. agricultural and forestry residues, wastes) and driving research 
into renewable resources, such as microalgae. 

Mitigating and adapting to climate change 

As  global  demand  for  biomass  for  food  and  industrial  purposes  grows  over  the  coming 
decades,  EU  agriculture,  forestry,  fisheries  and  aquaculture  capacity  will  need  to  be 
sustainably  increased.  The  Bioeconomy  Strategy  supports  the  development  of  production 

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systems  with  reduced  greenhouse  gases  (GHG)  emissions,  adapted  to  and  mitigating  the 
adverse impacts of climate change, such as droughts and floods. It will thus contribute to the 
objectives of the Roadmaps for moving to a low-carbon economy in 2050 and to a Resource 
Efficient  Europe,  as  well  as  to  the  EU  climate  change  policy.  This  will  include  increased 
carbon sequestration in agricultural soils, sea beds and the appropriate enhancement of forest 
resources. 

The EU pulp and paper, chemical and food industries emit significant amounts of GHG, but 
also store important amounts of carbon in their products. The Strategy will also promote the 
substitution  of  carbon,  energy  and  water  intensive  production  processes  by  more  resource 
efficient  and  environmentally  friendly  ones  wherever  possible.  The  partial  replacement  of 
non-renewable products by more sustainable bio-based ones should be pursued.  

Creating jobs and maintaining European competitiveness 

The EU's bioeconomy sectors are worth € 2 tril lion in annual turnover and account for more 
than  22  million  jobs  and  approximately  9%  of  the  workforce.  However,  in  order  to  remain 
competitive and maintain jobs in the light of major societal challenges and rising markets in 
the  developing  world,  the  European  bioeconomy  sectors  need  to  innovate  and  further 
diversify.  Significant  growth  is  expected  to arise  from  sustainable  primary  production,  food 
processing  and  industrial  biotechnology  and  biorefineries,  which  lead  to  new  bio-based 
industries, transform existing ones, and open new markets for bio-based products. New high 
skilled  jobs  and  training  options  need  to  be  developed  to  meet  labour  demands  in  these 
industries, as well as in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture.  

It  is  estimated  that  direct  research  funding  associated  to  the  Bioeconomy  Strategy  under 
Horizon  2020  could  generate  about  130  000  jobs  and  €  45  billions  in  value  added  in 
bioeconomy sectors by 20255. Further growth is expected from other – direct and indirect – 
public  and  private  investments  in  all  parts  of  the  bioeconomy.  It  can  be  expected  that 
bioeconomy sectors will significantly contribute to achieving the Europe 2020 objectives. 

1.3. 

Developing a coherent bioeconomy 

Specific actions are needed to maximise the impact of bioeconomy research and innovation. 
In  line  with  the  recommendations  of  the  public  consultation  on  the  bioeconomy,  a  more 
coherent  policy  framework,  increase  in  research  investments,  development  of  bio-based 
markets and better communication with the public should be prioritised6.  

Coherent policy  

The  bioeconomy  encompasses  a  wide  range  of  established  and  emerging  policy  areas  at 
global, EU, national and regional level which share and adhere to its objectives, yet result in a 
complex and sometimes fragmented policy environment. The Bioeconomy Strategy calls for a 
more  informed  dialogue,  in  particular  on  the  role  of  scientific  advancement,  and  better 
interaction between existing bioeconomy-supporting policies at EU and Member States level 
(see  Action  5).  This  will  provide  stakeholders  with  a  more  coherent  policy  framework  and 
encourage  private  investment.  Furthermore,  information  systems  will  need  to  be  created, 

5 
6 

Further details can be found in the accompanying SWD. [Include reference number?] 
Conclusions of the European Commission Public Consultation "Bio-based economy for Europe: state of 
play and future potential" (Feb-May 2011). 

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building  on  existing  but  often  unconnected  databases,  to  monitor  the  progress  of  the 
bioeconomy (see Action 6). 

The  Bioeconomy  Strategy  will  support  better  alignment  of  EU  research  and  innovation 
funding  with  established  priorities  of  bioeconomy-related  policies.  In  the  same  way,  it  will 
ensure that innovation is taken into account at the onset of policy development. The upcoming 
European  Innovation  Partnerships  (EIPs)  will  have  a  key  role  in  this  respect,  as  will  Joint 
Programming  Initiatives  (JPIs).  A  bioeconomy  dialogue  that  improves  the  knowledge  base 
and fosters informed interaction between policy measures at EU, Member State and regional 
level will also provide further stimulus for growth and incentives for investments (see Action 
2).  

The  global  dimension  of  the  societal  challenges  that  the  bioeconomy  is  addressing  requires 
reinforced cooperation at international level. The Bioeconomy Strategy will assist Europe in 
taking a leading role in promoting the transition towards a global bioeconomy. The existing 
international  cooperation  on  bioeconomy  matters  will  need  to  be  driven  by  research  and 
innovation  and  facilitate  exchange  of  scientific  knowledge  and  sharing  of  best  practices  on 
global  issues  and  policy  areas,  in  particular  regarding  food  security,  climate  change, 
environment and resources, capacity building and trade (see Action 8). 

Investment in knowledge, innovation and skills 

The bioeconomy requires continued and increasing support from public funding and private 
investment  and  must  contribute  to  better  coherence  between  national,  European  and  global 
research  and  innovation  efforts.  Research  and  the  application  of  its  results  are  often 
disconnected  due  to  an  information  and  knowledge  gap  and  institutional  and  conceptual 
barrier  between  researchers,  innovators,  producers,  end-users,  policy-makers  and  the  civil 
society.  Knowledge  transfer  networks,  knowledge  and  technology  brokers,  as  well  as  social 
enterprises,  embedded  in  broader  citizens  and  stakeholder  initiatives,  can  bridge  these  gaps. 
Many  promising  research  results  also  remain  unexploited  due  to  pending  legislative  issues 
and  patenting.  Furthermore,  more  investment  is  needed  for  demonstration  and  scale-up 
activities and the development of entrepreneurship and advisory services for the whole supply 
chain. (See Actions 3 and 11)  

The  need  to  increase  public  funding  for  bioeconomy  research  and  innovation  has  been 
recognised  under  Horizon  2020:  Almost  €  4.7  bill ion  has  been  proposed  for  the  Challenge 
“Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime research, and the bioeconomy”7. 
There  will  be  further  support  under  elements  of  the  Challenges  "Climate  action,  resource 
efficiency and raw materials", "Secure, clean and efficient energy" and "Health, demographic 
changes and wellbeing". The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) with its 
Knowledge  and  Innovation  Communities  (KICs)  in  different  areas  will  address  questions 
related to the bioeconomy, in particular under the proposed KIC "Food4future". This will be 
complemented  by  research  and  innovation  in  enabling  and  industrial  technologies  (e.g. 
biotechnology,  nanotechnology  and  ICT)  and  the  promotion  of  emerging  technologies. 
Providing stakeholders along the entire bioeconomy value chain with the knowledge base and 
a  toolbox  that  includes  a  range  of  key  enabling  technologies  will  also  be  critical  to  the 
implementation of a wide range of bioeconomy-related policies. (See Actions 1 and 2) 

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COM(2011) 809/3  

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Several  Member  States  have  put  in  place  bioeconomy  research  programmes  and  agreed  to 
improve coordination of their research activities through public-public partnering, such as the 
JPI on "Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans". Active collaboration between stakeholders 
is  also  needed  to  encourage  more  private  investment  and  entrepreneurship  in  Europe.  This 
includes supporting initiatives to enhance knowledge exchange, simplify European patent law 
and  improve  access  to  public  research  results,  but  also  the  creation  of  Public-Private 
Partnerships  (PPPs)  and  the  further  development  of  EIPs,  such  as  those  on  "Agricultural 
Productivity and Sustainability" and "Raw Materials" (see Actions 1 and 4).  

Participative governance and informed dialogue with society  

A responsible bioeconomy calls for participatory models that engage citizens and end-users in 
order  to  reinforce  the  relationship  between  science,  society  and  policy  making.  More 
informed  dialogues  will  allow  science  and  innovation  to  provide  a  sound  basis  for  policy 
making and informed societal choices, while taking into account legitimate societal concerns 
and needs in the bioeconomy.  

A large majority of Europeans agree that science and technology will offer more opportunities 
for  future  generations.  Yet,  a  significant  information  gap  between  science  and  society  still 
exists. Citizens need to be engaged in an open and informed dialogue throughout the research 
and innovation process. They need to be provided with reliable insight into the benefits and 
risks  of  innovative  technologies  and  existing  practices,  and  more  ample  opportunities  to 
debate new findings and their implications (see Actions 2 and 5). The EIP on “Agricultural 
Productivity and Sustainability” will play a crucial role in this respect. 

Furthermore, citizens have to be provided with more information about product properties and 
the impacts of consumption patterns and lifestyle (for instance on the issue of waste), in order 
to enable responsible and informed choices (see Action 12). Finally, citizens need to be made 
aware of the opportunities of social innovation and be encouraged to take initiatives.  

New infrastructures and instruments 

Enhancing a productive and sustainable bioeconomy requires more research, rural, marine and 
industrial infrastructures, knowledge  transfer  networks  and improved supply chains. Among 
other  objectives,  this  will  support  integrated  and  diversified  biorefineries,  including  small-
scale local plants (see Action 10). Petrochemical refinery processes produce a wide range of 
products, fuels and energy from fossil resources. Biorefineries replace these fossil resources 
by  renewable  ones  (including  wastes),  creating  new  sources  of  income  and  jobs  for  the 
agriculture,  forestry,  fisheries  and  aquaculture  sectors.  Various  funding  sources,  including 
private  investments,  EU  rural  development  or  cohesion  funds  could  be  utilised  to  foster  the 
development of sustainable supply chains and facilities (see Action 7). 

Bio-based products and bioenergy can be "bio-based versions" of traditional products or novel 
products with entirely new and innovative functionalities and potential for new and existing 
markets.  To  exploit  this,  the  EU  is  actively  driving  further  development  of  clear  and 
unambiguous product standards and sustainability criteria at European and international level. 
These  are  central  for  the  functioning  of  the  Single  Market  and  the  further  development  of 
certification and labels that can promote consumer uptake and green public procurement (see 
Action 11).  

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2. 

THE BIOECONOMY ACTION PLAN 

The  Action  Plan  below  describes  the  Commission's  main  actions  for  the  implementation  of 
the  Bioeconomy  Strategy  objectives,  building  on  FP7,  Horizon  2020  and  other  relevant 
existing policy initiatives, such as the EIPs. It also invites Member States and stakeholders to 
engage. A more detailed version of the Action Plan is included in the SWD8.  

2.1. 

Investments in research, innovation and skills  

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Ensure  substantial  EU  and  national  funding  as  well  as  private  investment  and 
partnering  for  bioeconomy  research  and  innovation.  Develop  further  JPI  and  ERA-
Net  activities  in  order  to  strengthen  coherence  and  synergies  between  public 
programmes.  Support  bioclusters  and  KICs  under  the  EIT  for  partnering  with  the 
private sector. Outline the main research and innovation concepts and priorities for 
food,  sustainable  agriculture  and  forestry  and  for  marine  and  maritime  activities 
under Horizon 2020.  

Increase the share of multi-disciplinary and cross-sectoral research and innovation in 
order  to  address  the  complexity  and  inter-connectedness  of  societal  challenges  by 
improving  the  existing  knowledge-base  and  developing  new  technologies.  Provide 
scientific  advice  for  informed  policy  decisions  on  benefits  and  trade-offs  of 
bioeconomy solutions.  

Promote  the  uptake  and  diffusion  of  innovation  in  bioeconomy  sectors  and  create 
further  feedback  mechanisms  on  regulations  and  policy  measures  where  necessary. 
Expand  support  to  knowledge  networks,  advisory  and  business  support  services, 
notably through EIPs and bioclusters. 

Build  the  human  capacity  required  to  support  the  growth  and  further  integration  of 
bioeconomy  sectors  by  organising  university  fora  for  the  development  of  new 
bioeconomy curricula and vocational training schemes. 

2.2. 

Reinforced policy interaction and stakeholder engagement 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8 

Create  a  Bioeconomy  Panel  that  will  contribute  to  enhancing  synergies  and 
coherence  between  policies,  initiatives  and  economic  sectors  related  to  the 
bioeconomy at EU level, linking with existing mechanisms (by 2012). Encourage the 
creation of similar panels at Member State and regional level. Foster participation of 
researchers,  end-users,  policy-makers  and  civil  society  in  an  open  and  informed 
dialogue  throughout  the  research  and  innovation  process  of  the  bioeconomy. 
Organise regular Bioeconomy Stakeholder Conferences. 

Establish a Bioeconomy Observatory in close collaboration with existing information 
systems  that  allows  the  Commission  to  regularly  assess  the  progress  and  impact  of 
the bioeconomy and develop forward-looking and modelling tools (by 2012). Review 
progress and update the Strategy at mid-term. 

Support  the  development  of  regional  and  national  bioeconomy  strategies  by 
providing  a  mapping  of  existing  research  and  innovation  activities,  competence 

Note: Individual actions may require a separate Impact Assessment. 

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centres  and  infrastructures  in  the  EU  (by  2015).  Support  strategic  discussions  with 
authorities  responsible  for  rural  and  coastal  development  and  Cohesion  Policy9  at 
local,  regional  and  national  level  to  maximise  the  impact  of  existing  funding 
mechanisms.  

8. 

Develop international cooperation on bioeconomy research and innovation to jointly 
address global challenges, such as food security and climate change, as well as the 
issue of sustainable biomass supply (from 2012). Seek further synergies between the 
international  cooperation  efforts  of  the  EU  and  Member  States  and  reach  out  to 
international organisations.  

2.3. 

Enhancement of markets and competitiveness in bioeconomy  

9. 

10. 

11. 

Provide  the  knowledge-base  for  sustainable  intensification  of  primary  production. 
Improve the understanding of current, potential and future availability and demand of 
biomass  (including  agricultural  and  forestry  residues  and  waste)  across  sectors, 
taking  into  account  added  value,  sustainability,  soil  fertility  and  climate  mitigation 
potential. Make these findings available for the development and review of relevant 
policies.  Support  the  future  development  of  an  agreed  methodology  for  the 
calculation of environmental footprints, e.g. using life cycle assessments (LCAs).  

Promote  the  setting  up  of  networks  with  the  required  logistics  for  integrated  and 
diversified biorefineries, demonstration and pilot plants across Europe, including the 
necessary  logistics  and  supply  chains  for  a  cascading  use  of  biomass  and  waste 
streams. Start negotiations to establish a research and innovation PPP for bio-based 
industries at European level (by 2013).  

Support  the  expansion  of  new  markets  by  developing  standards  and  standardised 
sustainability assessment methodologies for bio-based products and food production 
systems  and  supporting  scale-up  activities.  Facilitate  green  procurement  for  bio-
based products by developing labels, an initial European product information list and 
specific  trainings  for  public  procurers.  Contribute  to  the  long-term  competitiveness 
of  bioeconomy  sectors  by  putting  in  place  incentives  and  mutual  learning 
mechanisms for improved resource efficiency. 

12. 

Develop  science-based  approaches  to  inform  consumers  about  product  properties 
(e.g. nutritional benefits, production methods and environment sustainability) and to 
promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. 

9 

COM(2011) 615, Annex IV 

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