70. Bioeconomy: new opportunities for agriculture

The European Union aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050: that means the volume of CO2 produced by human activities is equal to the volume that can be absorbed by the natural environment — mainly soils, forests and oceans. Currently, we produce four times more than the volume that can be absorbed by these natural carbon sinks. So, the race is on to decarbonise our economy and find alternatives to fossil-based products. This is what underpins the bioeconomy strategy adopted by the European Commission at the end of November last year. For this 70th episode, the Food for Europe podcast takes you to meet entrepreneurs who are repurposing materials previously considered waste by farmers and foresters. Lewin Fricke, from the German start-up TriqBriq, introduces us to his ingenious and sustainable system of interlocking timber bricks that is revolutionising the construction sector. Götz Graf Bülow, regional manager at ForstBW, the public forestry company of Baden-Württemberg, explains how new sustainable supply chains have positive benefits for foresters and forest management. In Hungary, Andrea Veres, honorary associate professor at the Hungarian University of Life Sciences and Agriculture, tells us about her start-up Agrologika, which recycles sheep’s wool to make fertiliser pellets. Finally, Michael Losch, Bioeconomy Coordinator at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, discusses the ins and outs of the European bioeconomy strategy.