Report says using crop-based feedstock key for energy and food security in Europe

In Belgium, using first-generation agricultural biomass, i.e. crops like cereals, sugar and oil plants, to produce bio-based energy and materials in Europe results in important benefits for food security, biodiversity, agriculture and climate-change mitigation, according to a new expert paper from the nova-Institute think tank.

Europe’s bioeconomy – which produces renewable, non-fossil-based materials and energy solutions from biomass – is soon to be the focus of a new EU strategy aimed at boosting Europe’s autonomy and competitiveness while reducing its reliance on fossil-based resources. The new study from the nova-Institute confirms that the EU has the biomass resources necessary to realise the strategy, and dispels myths about the use of first-generation agricultural biomass, such as starch, sugar and oilseed crops.

“Despite widespread concern and frequent policy pushback against the use of first-generation biomass for industrial applications, often originating from concerns of undermining food security, scientific evidence suggests that these concerns are largely misplaced,” the report states. “The debate is shaped by emotional and political arguments rather than robust data or a comprehensive understanding of the global food system.”