“The IV General Assembly meeting marked the successful completion of the second year of STAR4BBS Project. The meeting was organized and hosted by the Agricultural University of Athens in the university campus, during the 19th and 20th of September 2024. It was a pleasure to reconvene with the consortium, and discuss in person the progress, challenges and key outcomes that have been attained throughout the Project as well as develop strategies for further collaboration and maximization of the STAR4BBS impact. In addition, the meeting constituted an excellent opportunity for a constructive interactive session among the consortium and an insightful standardization training provided by UNI, as means to provide a broader overview on the multidisciplinary topics and different approaches covered within the Project.”
-Agricultural University of Athens STAR4BBS Team |
We’re excited to reconnect and bring you the latest updates from the STAR4BBS project and our collaborative efforts within the cluster “Enhancing Sustainability Certification Schemes and Labels for Bio-based Systems” (BIOBASEDCERT). We’re thrilled to share some exciting developments and news on our project that you have been waiting for!
In this issue, we delve into our recent activities and findings, showcasing our commitment to advancing sustainability in bio-based systems. From the detailed analysis of sustainability certification schemes and labels to the insights gained from our joint efforts with sister projects, we have valuable updates to share! We’ll also showcase our upcoming events, including the 6th STAR4BBS Co-Creation Workshop.
Join us as we highlight our achievements, outline future directions, and continue our journey towards a more sustainable circular bio-based economy. Stay tuned to discover how our collective efforts are shaping the future of sustainable bioeconomy! |
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SPOTLIGHT ON OUR DELIVERABLES |
Are you ready to discover the results of our research? Explore our deliverables on STAR4BBS' website.
Below, we chose a selection of them that you might want to find out more about! |
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D 1.3: Report on impact and contribution of existing SCS and B2B Labels |
This deliverable presents findings from a systematic mapping of academic research on the impact of SCS and labels on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While most schemes and labels show reduced GHG emissions, significant evidence gaps remain, particularly outside the food and energy sectors. Further primary research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness of these certifications. Task 1.4, which contributed to this deliverable, involved a rigorous mapping of scientific and grey literature to evaluate the broader impact of SCS and B2B labels on responsible production, consumption, and trade in bio-based industries.
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| D 2.2: Report on matching biogenic flows with certification systems |
This report is a key component of the STAR4BBS project, which focuses on leveraging sustainability certification schemes (SCS) and labels to support the transition to a sustainable bio-based economy. The deliverable outlines a framework and methodology for linking SCS and labels with biomass trade flows in the European bioeconomy. Initial findings highlight challenges in obtaining comprehensive data on the certification status of biogenic feedstocks and bio-based products. The methodology offers a preliminary analysis that could serve as a foundation for future research and models.
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And, here are also the approved joint deliverables, co-developed with the sister projects within the BIOBASEDCERT cluster: |
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D 7.4: Mid-term Clustering Report |
The BIOBASEDCERT cluster, formed by the STAR4BBS, HARMONITOR, and SUSTCERT4BIOBASED projects, aims to enhance transparency and sustainability in the bio-based industry by contributing to harmonization of sustainability certification schemes and business-to-business labels. This report highlights the added values of clustering these projects, summarizing the collaboration activities undertaken during the first eighteen months. Key initiatives include establishing a Joint Advisory Board, developing the BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring System (BMS), and coordinating inter-project thematic areas. The collaborative approach ensures alignment of goals, maximizing impact, and fostering the exchange of information and expertise.
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| D 7.5: Mid-term Policy Brief |
The BIOBASEDCERT cluster addresses the lack of harmonization and monitoring in sustainability certification schemes and labels (CSLs) within the EU bioeconomy. These gaps create uncertainties that hinder CSL adoption by industry. This policy brief emphasizes the need for regulatory guidelines to support CSLs in line with EU policies and global sustainability goals. It also discusses the development of a BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring System (BMS) by the cluster, which will help evaluate CSLs' robustness and effectiveness, reducing confusion for users and aiding policymakers in the transition to a more sustainable bioeconomy. The brief also introduces a collaborative platform designed to continuously improve and harmonize CSLs post-project completion.
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Over the past months, the STAR4BBS project has made considerable strides across several key areas. One of the major accomplishments has been the detailed data collection and analysis of production volumes and trade flows for selected bio-based feedstocks and products. This effort focused on at least 10 bio-based feedstocks and 5 bio-based products, chosen based on rigorous selection criteria. The gathered data will form the backbone of our deliverable ”Report on volumes of biogenic feedstocks and bio-based products and material”.
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In parallel, the team has been refining a methodology to effectively match these biogenic flows with relevant certification schemes. This work is crucial for providing a clear picture of how much of the bio-based market is currently certified versus non-certified. Understanding these dynamics will help us assess the impact of certification on market access and trade. Alongside this, a thorough literature review was conducted to explore how sustainability certifications influence market dynamics, acting either as a catalyst or a barrier. The initial findings from these efforts will be incorporated into the forthcoming deliverable “Impact assessment of SCS on market access and trade” which will offer valuable insights into the role of certification in the bio-based economy.
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The project also achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the selection process for test cases to be used in the cost-benefit analysis. These test cases are essential for evaluating the economic viability of different bio-based value chains, which will inform the development of our BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring System (BMS).
Furthermore, the identification and development of sustainability indicators have progressed smoothly. We successfully completed the associated deliverables [D3.1, D3.2 and D3.3], which outline key environmental, economic, circularity and social indicators, with both Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and non-LCA perspectives. According to project officer comments, refinements were made on D3.1 to incorporate additional LCA indicators, particularly in areas like ecosystem services and high carbon stock regions. Once all indicators and requirements have been gathered for environmental, social, economic and circular pillars, an analysis of policies has been made, in order to identify synergies and alignments, as well as to prioritize the gathered indicators in “minimum”, “intermediate” and “advanced”. A scoring system has also been proposed on D3.3. for the analysis of certification schemes under both sustainability and circularity perspectives
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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES 6th STAR4BBS Co-Creation Workshop
We are pleased to announce that the 6th Co-Creation Workshop for the STAR4BBS project will be held online on the 11th of November at 11:00. This co-creation workshop is organized in collaboration with the Biobasedcert cluster.
The primary focus of this workshop will be to gather valuable input from relevant stakeholders on the cost-benefit analysis associated with the BMS. This session will provide a platform for discussing the economic and practical implications of implementing the BMS, ensuring that it delivers maximum value while remaining feasible for all involved parties.
We encourage all stakeholders to participate and contribute their expertise to this crucial aspect of the project. If you wish to take part in the workshop, please subscribe to our stakeholder’s list on the website! |
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LATEST ACTIVITIES GENERAL ASSEMBLY
We carried out the General Assembly of the STAR4BBS consortium, on September 19-20 in Athens, bringing together project partners to review achievements and plan the next steps.
Over the two-day event, key discussions focused on the development of sustainability indicators, the effectiveness of certification schemes, and their impact on bio-based sectors. This gathering was crucial for assessing progress, addressing challenges, ensuring the project's continued success. The assembly set the stage for the upcoming phases, ensuring that STAR4BBS remains on track to meet its objectives. |
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24-26 /06/2024 Monitoring Sustainability Certification Schemes and Labels for Bio-based Products. At EUBCE 2024, the BIOBASEDCERT cluster, consisting of the STAR4BBS, SUSTCERT4BIOBASED, and HARMONITOR projects, hosted an insightful event titled “Monitoring Sustainability Certification Schemes and Labels for Bio-based Products.”
This gathering, which attracted 55 participants, aimed to enhance sustainability practices in the bio-based sector.
The event began with a presentation by our project coordinator, Luana Ladu (TUB), on “guiding policy priorities and initial policy recommendations for sustainable biobased systems and their certification”. Following this, a key highlight of the event was the presentation of initial findings from the BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring System (BMS). This system evaluates sustainability certification schemes and labels (CSLs) across three levels: system, content, and outcome level. By assessing these aspects, the BMS aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how effectively CSLs contribute to sustainability goals.
A key component of the event was a roundtable discussion with distinguished panelists, including Audrun Utskarpen (Nordic Swan Ecolabel), Rodrigo Rupérez (UN Trade and Development), Oliver Hurtig (European Commission), Jean-Marc Jossart (Bioenergy Europe), Mirjam Röder (Aston University), and Laura Väyrynen (ECOS). Moderated by Iris Vural Gürsel, the discussion explored the integration of CSLs into regulatory frameworks and the development of robust monitoring mechanisms to support effective implementation.
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STAR4BBS liaises with the two other European projects funded under the same topic “HORIZON-CL6-2021-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-07” to define possible collaborations, exchange information, and expertise, cross-fertilize and increase the collective impacts of the projects. |
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Do not forget to follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube |
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The STAR4BBS project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement No 101060588 |
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. |
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