Newsletter EUBIA
June 2018

The EU Corner

A new troubled EU budget

The EU Commission unveiled its proposal for the EU Budget for 2021-2027 which will have a €1,135bn budget. This MFF will be the first after Brexit,, and the Commission is pushing for a bigger and increased budget for a smaller Europe raising several criticisms. One of the point strongly opposed, especially by farmers, is the reduction of 5% for funding allocated for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with direct payments for farmers cut by 4%. 

The EU commission unveiled its proposal for the protection of farmers and SMEs, which are often lacking bargaining power in the food supply chain. The initiative addresses unfair trading practices, as late payments from retailers, unilateral or retroactive changes to contracts and last minute cancellations for the order of perishable food products. The proposal suggests the settlement of national enforcement authorities to protect farmers and allow them to report anonymously unfair practices overcoming the fear of a possible retaliation from the buyer.

• EUobserver news: Norwegian parliament to adopt a new national budget including €29.5 million funding dedicated to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects.
• The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service CAMS) presented the European State of the Climate Summary at the European Parliament. 
• The CIRCWASTE-project, focusing on the promotion of biogas in the transport sector, is a brilliant example of smart utilisation of waste streams and of waste-to-energy valorisation. Read more about it here. 
• A leak reported by EUobserver states that the EU will fail in meeting COP21 commitments unless “the world economy undergoes a rapid and far-reaching transition”.

Neste, IKEA to produce biobased plastics at commercial level

IKEA and Neste reached a major achievement in their collaboration, by becoming the first companies to produce biobased plastic from a fossil-free raw material at commercial scale. The use of renewable residues and waste raw material (like used cooking oil or sustainably-produced vegetable oils) to produce polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) plastic is a considerable step towards a fossil fuel future. In autumn, will start the pilot for a commercial scale production of biobased plastics. IKEA will use Neste’s sustainable hydrocarbons in its products, and the range of biobased goods will increase as soon as capacities improve.

Unilever South Africa installs biomass boiler at its factory

During the 2018 World Environement Day, Unilever South Africa unveiled a R50 million biomass boiler installed at its Maydon Wharf Factory in Durban. The biomass boiler will bring a 30% CO₂ emissions reduction, and contribute in the reduction of waste-to-landfill, and the amount of electricity used at Maydon Wharf. The boiler is fueled by wooden pallets, waste wood and off-cuts from local furniture and door manufacturers. 

2018 EU Green Week side event

EUBIA organised, in collaboration with EBA and Biorefine Cluster Europe, a side event called “Greening the gas grid for sustainable cities & communities”, which took place in Brussels on May 24^th. The event presented an overview on the EU framework on biogas and biomass, and the latest updates from European companies and projects.

EUSEW 2018 – Architects’ contribution to the clean energy transition

The 2018 European Sustainable Energy Week took place in Brussels from 4th-8th June. This year edition focused on ways to lead the clean energy transition, and one of topics discussed was the role of architecture in the sustainable revolution. Worldwide known architects and representatives of EU institutions stressed how an effective regulatory framework from building efficiency is the precondition to attract investments and accelerate the sustainable transition.