to a Low-Carbon Bio-Economy This roadmap offers the basis for a discussion within and outside the sector, based on the following recommendations:
• A new level of climate policies is needed
To achieve the reduction required while avoiding carbon leakage, policies need to be harmonised with global developments and industry investment cycles. The EU needs to complement the current carbon price and target-based policy approach with a multi-dimensional and industry specific climate change policy. The policy package should include a technology focus, be synchronised with industry investment cycles and global action, and include a raw material and product perspective.
• The bioeconomy requires an active system change
A successful transformation depends on a combination of technology push and product innovation. To succeed, the EU needs to see the bioeconomy as the system-shift needed, rather than a mere decarbonisation policy. Policy needs to actively push the substitution of high-carbon materials with bio-based products.
• There will be no change without sufficient biomass
The EU will need to invest in European forests and farming systems to produce this biomass. The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy needs to include biomass production. EU energy policy, meanwhile, needs a biomass supply policy, alongside coal, gas and oil supply policies.
• Limited resources underline the need for added value
Policies will have to steer the EU economy to a system whereby the most value is produced – from the land available, from forest management, from trees, from the fibre and by sectors. The cascade of materials use, producing the most value added from a forest fibre, optimising recycling and reuse as a raw material before, at a final stage, materials are used for energy, needs to be a cornerstone of EU policy and support systems.
• Recycling depends on virgin material
We expect resource efficiency policy to lead to new levels and dimensions of recycling in Europe. However, the recycling loop cannot function without input of quality virgin fibre. With future consumption patterns the input to the recycling loop is a concern that needs to be secured to allow the system to function.
• The next step is a joint partnership guiding the sectors transition
Based on the roadmap we call for the establishment of a specific Forest Fibre Industry transformation partnership. This industry led, joint EU, member state and industry initiative would guide the use of EU ETS auctioning revenues for the transformation of the sector, creating the joint technology push needed and overcoming barriers ahead, so that technology meets investments at the right time to deliver the low-carbon sector required.
• Nothing is impossible, but there are no silver bullets
In 2050 terms, the roadmap starts with the assumption that nothing is impossible. It shows, however, that there are no ready-made or easy solutions. In order to meet the challenges of 2050, achieving targets and keeping a competitive economy, we have to move the discussions to the next level. Achieving the transition from today towards 2050 in a way that secures the sector’s future is the largest challenge to overcome by policymakers and industry alike.
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