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A closer look at sustainability certification schemes and ecolabels for biobased systems
Circular biobased systems have the potential to substantially contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal, particularly its Zero Pollution Action Plan, and the 2030 Climate Target, if they are developed sustainably. There is accordingly growth of sustainability certification schemes and business-to-business labels as significant tools for global production and trade to become more sustainable, and for the private sector to demonstrate corporate social responsibility. However, how to ensure the robustness and effectiveness of these tools and move towards the harmonization of sustainability requirements?
This is where the project SUSTCERT4BIOBASED comes into play! This Horizon Europe-funded project (Grant Agreement No: 101059785) coordinated by Wageningen Food & Biobased Research kicked off in June 2022 and will run for 3 years. Throughout the project’s lifecycle, the 5 partners will review and analyze the existing international and EU sustainability certification schemes and ecolabels for biological resources and biobased products and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
Costs and benefits from adopting certification schemes and ecolabels will be assessed, considering actual economic as well as internalized environmental and social ones. Data will be generated on volumes of biological resources and biobased products in global trade flow and the extent of their certification. Eventually, the project will provide recommendations for the policymakers, the sustainability system community, the industrial biobased value chain actors, and the regional bioeconomy stakeholders.
The project’s findings will contribute towards establishing a circular and sustainable biobased industry for Europe! Would you be interested in joining our project’s Network of Interest? A platform where you will have the first access to project findings and have the opportunity to share your inputs and feedback. You can easily register online. We would be excited to have you join us in this mission.
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