Demonstrating the fair and just transition from GHG-intensive economies facing challenges towards circular bioeconomy model regions

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Programme Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Call Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors (HORIZON-CL6-2024-CIRCBIO-01) Type of action HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions Type of MGA HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Closed Deadline model single-stage Opening date 17 October 2023 Deadline date 22 February 2024 17:00:00 Brussels time Expected Outcome: Successful proposal will contribute to the expected impacts of the Destination ‘Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors’ and the European policies it supports. In line with the European Green Deal priorities, the EU’s climate ambition for 2030 and 2050, the objectives of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, and the vision of a society that acts within environmental and social boundaries as defined in the bioeconomy strategy, the successful proposal will guide and facilitate the green transition towards a circular bioeconomy model, in regions that lag behind in this process. Projects results are expected to contribute to all following expected outcomes: Showcased solutions in 2-3 selected coal mining regions and/or intensive agriculture regions, ensuring geographical coverage of different regions. Development of new bioeconomy structures that generate local green growth in regions currently relying on GHG-intensive economic activities, focusing on coal mining and/or intensive livestock or crop production in agriculture; Strengthened interactions and coordination between affected European / Associated Countries regions. Scope: Demonstrate just and fair bioeconomy solutions in regions that face difficulties in the green transition to leave no person and no place behind. Interact with and draw on the logistical support of the CSA “Supporting the fair and just transition from GHG-intensive economies facing challenges towards circular bioeconomy model regions” with the overall goal to demonstrate the transition to a just and fair bioeconomy for in 2-3 selected coal mining regions and/or intensive agriculture regions. Demonstrate the feasibility of transforming regions towards sustainable and resource-efficient bioeconomy models, while highlighting the achievement of climate targets, as well as assessing trade-offs (e.g., food security or energy-security, strategic autonomy). Social innovation is recommended when the solution is at the socio-technical interface and requires social change, new social practices, social ownership or market uptake. Implement the required multi-actor approach by involving a wide diversity of bioeconomy actors and conducting trans-disciplinary research. Where relevant, activities should build and expand on the results of past and ongoing research projects. This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. null Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Available budget: Topic ID Topic short name Types of action Budget (EUR M) HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-7 Demonstrating the fair and just transition from GHG-intensive economies facing challenges towards circular bioeconomy model regions HORIZON-IA 6,00 Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors (2023/24) This destination and its topics target climate-neutrality, zero pollution[1], fair and just circular and bioeconomy transitions[2]. These cover safe, integrated circular solutions at territorial and sectoral levels, for important material flows and product value chains, such as i) textiles, ii) electronics, iii) chemicals, iv) packaging, v) tourism, vi) plastics and construction, and vii) key bioeconomy sectors such as a) sustainable bio-based systems[3], b) sustainable forestry, c) small-scale rural bio-based solutions, d) environmental services and e) aquatic (including marine and freshwater) value chains[4]. The destination supports the European Green Deal, and in particular: the new EU Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), adopted in March 2020, and the subsequent initiatives along the entire life cycle of products[5]; the EU strategy on adaptation to climate change adopted in February 2021[6]; the EU zero pollution action plan[7], adopted in May 2021, with the chemicals strategy for sustainability[8] from October 2020 and the new approach for a sustainable blue economy[9] adopted in May 2021; the EU forest strategy for 2030[10]: research and innovation will be key drivers in achieving the ambitious goals of this strategy; the EU climate law targeting climate-neutrality by 2050 and AFOLU[11] climate-neutrality by 2035, which supports increased focus on bio-based circular consumption, as part of the Fit for 55 package proposed on 14 July 2021[12]; the new European Bauhaus initiative[13] and the renovation wave[14]. Furthermore, the Horizon Europe work programme for 2023-2025 of will play a critical role in implementing the EU strategy for sustainable textiles[15], which highlights the strategic role Horizon Europe initiatives play in R&I in the textile ecosystem. Textiles are the fourth highest category as regards pressure on the use of primary raw materials and water and fifth for GHG emissions, and are a major source of microplastic pollution in production and use phases. They are also a key material and product stream in the circular economy action plan. Improvements in the circularity of the textile value chains will help reduce GHG emissions and environmental pressure. The framework is established in the strategy for sustainable textiles, The transition pathway is a multistakeholder process, that could support implementation Attention should be paid to ensuring a circular, safe and sustainable design and the use of new sustainable biobased materials, as well as to collection, sorting and upcycling. Automated processes and digital solutions should help increase reuse and recycling. The safe-and sustainable-by-design concept aligns circular, safety and bioeconomy approaches with zero pollution. R&I can link various EU policies, namely those related to the green and digital transition, resilience and competitiveness. Under the proposed Ecodesign Sustainable Product Regulation (SPI)[16] the Commission will set out ecodesign requirements on design in order to reduce the environmental footprint of products, striving for products to be kept in circular use for as long as possible. The wide range of EU initiatives supported by this destination includes: the industrial strategy; the EU chemicals strategy for sustainability; the SME strategy; the revised (2018) bioeconomy strategy[17] and its action plan; the communication on sustainable carbon cycles; the sustainable blue economy approach and its offshoot initiatives; the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030; the farm to fork strategy; the upcoming EU agenda for tourism; the plastics strategy and the action plan on critical raw materials. In addition, this destination will contribute to the transition pathways of energy-intensive industries, textiles, construction and agri-food industrial ecosystems. Where appropriate, proposals are encouraged to cooperate with the European Commission Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy, also for the purpose of dissemination and exploitation of results. Expected impact Proposals for topics under this destination should set out a credible pathway to: develop the circular economy and bioeconomy sectors; ensure natural resources are used and managed in a sustainable and circular manner; prevent and remove pollution; unlock the full potential and benefits of the circular economy and the bioeconomy, with clean secondary raw materials, ensuring competitiveness and guaranteeing healthy soil, air, fresh and marine water for all, through better understanding of planetary boundaries and wide deployment and market uptake of innovative technologies and other solutions, notably in primary production (forestry) and bio-based systems. More specifically, the proposed topics should contribute to one or more of the following impacts: Regional, rural, local/urban and consumer-based transitions are accelerated towards a sustainable, regenerative, inclusive, just and clean circular economy and bioeconomy across all regions of Europe. Special attention should be paid to the most sensitive/vulnerable[18] and greenhouse gas-intensive regions, based on better knowledge and understanding of science, and improved capacity to design, implement and monitor policies and instruments for circular and bio-based transitions. European industrial sustainability, competitiveness and resource independence are strengthened by reducing the use of primary non-renewable raw materials and greenhouse gases emissions and other pollutants, achieving an improved environmental footprint (including on biodiversity), enabling climate-neutrality, zero pollution[1] and higher resource efficiency. This will also be supported by increasing circular and bio-based practices in textiles, plastics, electronics and construction, developing further on industrial symbiosis as well as circularity and sustainability by design, cascading use of biomass and, clean secondary raw materials, along and across value chains. Innovative and sustainable value-chains are developed in the bio-based sectors replacing fossil-based value chains, increasing circular bio-based systems from sustainably sourced biological resources, and replacing carbon-intensive and fossil-based systems. Such a development will be supported through R&I in biotechnology and other enabling technologies, which is a prerequisite and driver of future solutions for a circular economy and the bioeconomy transition. This will involve with inclusive engagement with all stakeholders, including policymakers and will increase access to finance and technical support along whole supply chains for bioeconomy p