Launched by the European Commission on 20 July, this online platform will not primarily generate knowledge, but will collect, structure and provide access to knowledge from a wide range of scientific sources on bioeconomy, the sustainable production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into valuable products.
Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, responsible for the Joint Research Centre, said: "The Bioeconomy Knowledge Centre builds on the Joint Research Centre's expertise in knowledge management, offering policy makers relevant information in a timely manner and a format that is easy to use. It is the fourth Knowledge Centre launched by the Commission in the last two years, after the ones on migration and demography, territorial policies and disaster risk management, and another important step in further strengthening the sound evidence base we need to tackle the societal challenges facing the EU."
Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, added: "The launch of the Bioeconomy Knowledge Centre marks an important step in bringing the different policy areas of the bioeconomy closer together. In order to face global and geopolitical challenges, a coherent strategy needs an excellent knowledge hub, in particular to address questions cutting across the policy areas of the bioeconomy family."
Bioeconomy represents a significant part of the EU economy, with potential for growth through innovation in agriculture, forestry, bioenergy and biomass but also in chemicals, materials, waste management and others.
The Bioeconomy Knowledge Centre will support the European Commission in the review of the 2012 Bioeconomy Strategy, taking into account new political and policy developments, such as the COP21 Paris agreement, the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the Circular Economy Package.