Description
An online ECCP matchmaking
Agri-food matchmaking on accelerating resource efficiency was held on 5 December.
Context and objectives
This matchmaking event, including its preparatory webinar, was focused on the agri-food ecosystem and in particular on the topics of:
- uptake of resource efficiency technologies,
- deployment of renewable energy and
- scaling-up of innovative circular fertiliser production methods.
In line with the objectives of the EU industrial strategy updated but also in the framework of the Farm to Fork strategy and the Circular Economy Action Plan, European companies – in particular SMEs - should take actions to save resources (water, energy, waste) and engage in the circular economy.
The uptake of resource efficiency technologies by agri-food SMEs will be crucial to support their competitiveness and to enable the sustainability transition of the agri-food ecosystem. This uptake could be realized by SMEs individually or initiated through clusters to generate a greater effect throughout the value chain.
According to the FAO, agri-food systems consume about 30% of the world’s energy, and a third of agri-food systems' emissions of greenhouse gases stem from energy use. Russia military aggression on Ukraine and the impact of such geopolitical tensions on the energy prices heavily impacting the EU agri-food value chain makes the shift towards renewable energy even more urgent in this industrial ecosystem. The deployment of renewable energy production in a given area creates many opportunities for decarbonisation of the ecosystem. Promising projects include collaboration between SMEs and large companies in a cluster, and eventually with energy investors, who could invest in projects, in return for a part of the electricity produced.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the supply of fertilisers to the EU has been significantly disrupted and their prices have almost tripled compared to last year. With up to 60% of EU fertiliser imports coming from Russia and Belarus, scaling-up of demonstrated alternative fertiliser production methods will be very important. The EU fertiliser industry is working on switching to the production of low-carbon ammonia and other circular nutrient sources. These efforts must be complemented with new innovative circular approaches, as it is crucial to secure the amount of fertilisers needed for agricultural production and thus to ensure food supply within the EU.
Preparatory and technical webinar
In preparation for this Matchmaking event, a preparatory and technical webinar were organised to offer participants a contextual background and overview of how to approach the matchmaking session.
- Preparatory Webinar, 17 November 2022, 9:30 – 11:30 CET. The final agenda to be found here. Watch the recording:
Here you can download all the speakers slides.
- Technical Webinar, 24 November 2022, 9:30 – 10:30 CET. Watch the recording: