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Newsletter EUBIA
August 2018
What's new in the biomass sector?

Find it out in the 3 sections and upcoming events!

1. European Corner
2. Industry Corner
3. EUBIA's Activities
Contact us!

EU Corner
- An updated version of Horizon2020.
- Public consultation on the GHG emissions reduction.
- Moving closer towards fulfilling the Energy Union.
- EU invests €48 million in energy infrastructure.
- Reducing Marine litter with EC legislative proposal.

Updated Horizon2020 calls for 2019 

The European Commission published an updated version of its Horizon2020 calls. As part of  Societal Challenge 2 addressing “Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research and the Bioeconomy”, the Rural Renaissance Calls have a budget of €263 million for greener and more circular rural areas. This section presents 10 calls opened until January 2019, and one call closing in September 2018.

Public consultation on the strategy for EU GHG emissions reduction 

The EU Commission is looking for citizens and stakeholders’ contribution for its strategy for the 2050 greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction. The public consultation will be open until October 9th and the Commission wishes to publish its 2050 strategy before the COP24 taking place in Katowice in December 2018.
EU invests €48 million in priority energy infrastructure

On July 16, 2018, MS agreed to invest €48.4 million in various European energy infrastructure projects. The EU funding comes from the Connecting Europe Facility. The 4 proposals are allocated in the electricity sector, 2 in the gas sector, 1 for smart grids, and 1 for carbon capture technology. These are important projects with major cross-border benefits.
One step closer towards fulfilling the Energy Union

On July 10, 2018, EC welcomed strong support by the EP of 3 key proposals of the Clean Energy for All Europeans package. The support by Parliament’s committees means that 4 out of the 8 legislative proposals of this package are close to full adoption. The main achievements are thanks to Regulation on the governance of the Energy Union, Energy Efficiency Directive and Renewables Directive.
Single-use plastics and fishing gear
On European beaches, plastics make up 80-85 % of marine litter and costs the EU economy an estimated €259 million to €695 million yearly. In May 2018, the EC put forward a legislative proposal which introduce a series of measures regarding the top 10 single-use plastics found on European beaches, with a view to reducing their impact on the environment and ensuring a functional internal market.
Industry Corner
- Brazil is moving towards a 10% carbon reduction by 2018.
- ePURE reports about an importance of low-carbon fuels to reduce GHG emissions.
- New methods of production of algae-derived fuel.
- AEBIOM changed name to Bioenergy Europe.
 
Brazil approved new targets to incentivise sustainable biofuels
Brazil took a major step to foster its sustainable transition by moving towards a 10% carbon intensity reduction for transport fuels, to be achieved by 2028. The Brazilian National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) approved this target, and the consequent compulsory annual CO2 emissions reduction, as part of the National Biofuels Policy, also called RenovaBio. The plan assigns carbon intensity ratings to fuel producers, and provide financial incentives for decarbonisation through CBIO, decarbonisation credits which will be exchangeable on financial markets by 2019.
Low-carbon fuels crucial to achieving EU clean mobility goals
A report commissioned by ePURE, the European Renewable Ethanol Association, confirm that low-carbon fuels, and not just electric vehicles, are essential to reach EU’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Within the 2nd Clean Mobility Package (2020-2050), the study assesses additional GHG reductions, given by biofuels use, stating that electric vehicles alone wouldn’t reach the actual environmental targets.
Finnish university and ExxonMobil reveal methods on algae biofuel
Researchers from a Finland university has developed a new method of producing biofuel derived from algae. It is a sustainable technique of harnessing solar power into the chemical energy of bio-hydrogen which allows to transform algae to work as a microbial cell factory. Petrochemical giant ExxonMobil worked together with Synthetic Genomics to use the power of algae to produce biofuels, altering the organism’s structure to produce a renewable, low-emission energy source. They said it would be able to produce 10,000 barrels of algae-derived fuel a day by 2025.
European Biomass Association rebrands to Bioenergy Europe
The European Biomass Association (AEBIOM) changed its name and unveiled a new corporate identity as Bioenergy Europe. The new name aims to give a clearer, more united voice to Europe’s first source of renewable energy.
EUBIA's activities
EUBIA presence @ EUBCE 2018 

At EUBCE 2018, EUBIA collaborated with ETAflorence and GIZ on a seminar on Sino-European low carbon integrated waste management. EUBIA’s deputy Secretary General, Drilona Shtjefni, attended the event to present the AgroCycle project and took part in the inspiring panel discussion chaired by Mr Quian Myngui (GIZ). Ms Shtjefni also co-chaired two sessions, one with Prof. Dimitrios Sidiris (from University of Piraeus), on oil-based biofuels focusing on ground-breaking technologies in this field; and another session with Mr Kees Kwant, Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, with a focus on enabling policies for market introduction of biofuels, biomass heating and biogas.

EUBCE Technical tour at NGF Holsted Biogas Plant 

During EUBCE 2018, a limited number of participants took part in a site visit at NGF Nature Energy Biogas Plant. The facility is one of the largest and most advanced in Europe, and biomass is the key renewable feedstock used to produce energy, biofuels and biomaterials. EUBIA was part of the small group visiting the plant which only needs staff during daytime since is fully automatic operated. During the opening session of EUBCE, Nature Energy, the Danish company managing the plant, won the EUBIA Award 2018.
AgroCycle mission to China
EUBIA, as partner of AgroCycle, is organising a mission to China, from 22nd-26th of October, dedicated to the topic “Agricultural waste and residue management for a circular bio-economy”. The programme includes 2 days of plenary conferences in Beijing (22-23 October) and three days of workshops, brokerage meetings and on-the-field visits.

Upcoming Events

Horizon2020 Societal Challenge 5 info days: Registration opened for Horizon 2020 info days on Societal Challenge 5, which will be held in Brussels on September 11th-12th. The 2 days event will focus on the 2018-2020 calls, and in particular, on the topics of climate action, raw materials and circular economy. The conference will also provide several networking opportunities.

New call for EIP-AGRI Focus Group experts: Want to be part of this dynamic discussion and share your own expertise and experience to find innovative and inspiring solutions? EIP-AGRI is looking for experts to join two of its Focus Groups covering the topics of: non-chemical weed management in arable cropping systems; and pests and diseases of the olive tree. The deadline for submissions is September 10th 23:59 CET.

Horizon 2020 Energy virtual info day: INEA, the Innovation and Network Executive Agency of the European Commission is organising a Horizon 2020 Energy virtual info day. The event will be accessible online via web stream on September 13th and will focus on renewable energy sources, CO2 capture and storage, and Horizon prizes for R&I. Registration will open on September 3rd.
EUBIA's media partners
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