The European Commission has adopted a new EU Bioeconomy Strategy, reinforcing the role of renewable biological resources in Europe’s transition towards a climate-neutral, circular, and competitive economy. The strategy highlights biomass as a key resource for reducing fossil fuel dependence while supporting rural development, innovation, and energy security.
According to official EU data, the bioeconomy already contributes around €2.7 trillion to the EU economy and supports more than 17 million jobs. The updated strategy aims to further strengthen this sector by improving policy coherence, scaling bio-based solutions, and promoting sustainable use of biological resources across agriculture, forestry, and industry.
A strong emphasis is placed on the efficient and circular use of biomass, particularly agricultural residues, by-products, and organic waste. These resources are increasingly recognised as strategic inputs for renewable energy production, bio-based materials, and climate mitigation, while also offering new economic opportunities for rural areas.
The strategy also calls for improved skills, knowledge transfer, and local capacity building to enable wider deployment of bio-based technologies. By supporting innovation at regional and local levels, the EU seeks to ensure that the benefits of the bioeconomy are shared across territories, especially in rural communities.
Why This Matters in the Context of SUSRUD
Recent EU policy developments provide an important strategic backdrop for initiatives such as SUSRUD, which operate at the intersection of rural development, education, and biomass energy. As the EU places greater focus on sustainable biomass value chains and skills development, projects like SUSRUD contribute to translating high-level strategies into practical, locally applicable knowledge.
In this context, SUSRUD’s activities align with broader European priorities by supporting awareness, learning, and dialogue around biomass-based energy solutions in rural areas — helping bridge the gap between EU policy frameworks and on-the-ground practice.
As implementation of the new Bioeconomy Strategy moves forward, continued exchange of knowledge and practical experience will be essential to ensure that biomass contributes effectively to Europe’s energy transition and sustainable rural development.
Read more at: https://environment.ec.
