Europe’s environmental footprint beyond its borders remains high as it continues to rely on goods from key sectors including forestry, grain and energy according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment published today. The study highlights the environmental impacts linked to these imports and underscores the need to accelerate bio-based innovations as part of a bioeconomy to develop more home-grown sourcing strategies that can boost Europe’s path to sustainability.
According to the EEA briefing ‘Opportunities for innovation in the bioeconomy,’ the EEA’s 32 member countries generate only about half the biocapacity needed to sustain current consumption. More circular use of domestic biomass and other resources can help reduce reliance on imports which would help cut related environmental impacts occurring both within and beyond Europe’s borders.
The EEA briefing shows how examples of bio-based innovations can support the expected update of the EU’s bioeconomy strategy. It also links work on bioeconomy to broader EU climate and biodiversity goals in line with the European Green Deal, helping inform national and regional strategies.
Bio-based innovations
Boosting the use of biological resources can help to replace fossil fuel-based materials with more sustainable alternatives. This can contribute to a circular bioeconomy and also address climate change. The EEA briefing shortlists several bio-based innovations many of which stem from waste or by-products, and which offer greater sustainable and circular solutions across industries. They include agricultural biomass, where the most used source comes from waste like husk, stover and stubble and processed food waste. This biomass plays a key role in providing alternative, sustainable material.
Environmental pressures
The EEA briefing also looks at the key sectors that contribute the most to environmental pressures and which are responsible for the largest environmental footprints.
Nearly 30% of environmental and climate pressures in the EEA’s 32 countries (including all EU Member States) is driven by just five key sectors including construction, accommodation and food services, food products, transport and trade.
Construction stands out as a major contributor, with particularly high impact on both carbon and forest footprints. This reflects the broad resource demands and embedded emissions in construction supply chains the EEA briefing says, particularly when assessed through a footprint-based lens that includes upstream impacts beyond EU borders.
Other key findings
- Sustainability safeguards are essential. Responsible sourcing, biodiversity protection, deforestation prevention, and circularity are vital to ensuring bio-based systems reduce environmental harm.
- Trade-offs must be carefully assessed and managed. Bio-based solutions may involve land use, biodiversity, or social equity trade-offs that require consideration and governance.
- Sound decisions need strong evidence. Impact analyses, and stakeholder input are essential for aligning bio-based innovation with economic, environmental, and social goals.
