Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CALIMERO (Industry CAse studies anaLysis to IMprove EnviROnmental performance and sustainability of bio-based industrial processes)
Période du rapport: 2022-07-01 au 2023-12-31
Transitioning to a bioeconomy is a top priority in Europe, aligning with the European Green Deal and the 2030 Climate Target Plan. CALIMERO addresses environmental challenges within bio-based sectors, aiming to enhance sustainability, resource efficiency, and low-carbon practices. Through collaboration with experts and sector representatives, CALIMERO identifies solutions to reduce environmental footprints. Utilizing advanced methodologies like Lifecycle Sustainability Assessments and adapted Product Environmental Footprint, CALIMERO evaluates impacts and fosters sustainable practices while ensuring economic and social viability. CALIMERO focuses on analyzing environmental effects in construction, woodworking, textiles, pulp & paper, and bio-chemical sectors. Using a disruptive Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) tool, the project aims to demonstrate solutions for improved environmental performance. Insights from CALIMERO contribute to recommendations for bio-based industries, aiding decisions in resource efficiency, circularity, emissions reduction, ensuring sustainability across multiple categories. Through its interdisciplinary approach and advanced methodologies, CALIMERO drives significant progress towards a more sustainable bio-based economy.
During the first reporting period of the CALIMERO project, significant milestones were achieved, marking a pivotal step towards enhancing sustainability within the bio-based sectors. The project commenced with the establishment of a robust data collection process, meticulously designed to capture environmental, social, and economic aspects across the target sectors. This involved a comprehensive review of existing practices and state-of-the-art methodologies, laying the groundwork for informed decision-making.
In parallel, a thorough hotspot analysis was conducted, identifying key industrial processes within the bio-based sectors. This analysis informed the selection of case studies, ensuring a focused approach to address critical sustainability challenges effectively.
Furthermore, the project identified and characterized major methodological gaps in life cycle sustainability assessment, with a specific focus on key criteria such as biodiversity, ecosystem services, toxicity characterization factors, and dynamic carbon footprint. By leveraging the Product Environmental Footprint methodology as a foundation, CALIMERO aims to advance sustainability assessment practices to encompass a broader spectrum of impacts.
One of the most notable achievements of the reporting period was the development of a conceptual framework, embodied in a Theory of Change. This framework serves as a collaborative network, uniting diverse stakeholders to tackle sustainability challenges through four strategic pathways: regenerative optimization, integration and transparency, collaboration and adaptive governance, and balancing biobased demand. This innovative approach sets the stage for holistic and inclusive sustainability solutions.
Lastly, the project successfully applied a prototyped multi-objective optimization framework to a case study within a bio-based sector, demonstrating the practical application of advanced methodologies. This milestone underscores CALIMERO's commitment to driving tangible progress towards sustainable industrial processes within the bio-based sectors.
Overall, the achievements of the first reporting period signify a significant stride towards realizing the vision of a more sustainable and resilient bio-based economy, positioning CALIMERO as a pioneering force in the field of sustainability innovation.
In parallel, a thorough hotspot analysis was conducted, identifying key industrial processes within the bio-based sectors. This analysis informed the selection of case studies, ensuring a focused approach to address critical sustainability challenges effectively.
Furthermore, the project identified and characterized major methodological gaps in life cycle sustainability assessment, with a specific focus on key criteria such as biodiversity, ecosystem services, toxicity characterization factors, and dynamic carbon footprint. By leveraging the Product Environmental Footprint methodology as a foundation, CALIMERO aims to advance sustainability assessment practices to encompass a broader spectrum of impacts.
One of the most notable achievements of the reporting period was the development of a conceptual framework, embodied in a Theory of Change. This framework serves as a collaborative network, uniting diverse stakeholders to tackle sustainability challenges through four strategic pathways: regenerative optimization, integration and transparency, collaboration and adaptive governance, and balancing biobased demand. This innovative approach sets the stage for holistic and inclusive sustainability solutions.
Lastly, the project successfully applied a prototyped multi-objective optimization framework to a case study within a bio-based sector, demonstrating the practical application of advanced methodologies. This milestone underscores CALIMERO's commitment to driving tangible progress towards sustainable industrial processes within the bio-based sectors.
Overall, the achievements of the first reporting period signify a significant stride towards realizing the vision of a more sustainable and resilient bio-based economy, positioning CALIMERO as a pioneering force in the field of sustainability innovation.
The CALIMERO project, focused on improving environmental performance in bio-based industrial processes, has made significant strides towards its objectives. Task 1.4. led by NEOVILI, involved multiple partners and spanned from M6 to M18. It aimed to establish pathways for achieving overall objectives through a theory-of-change methodology. This involved mapping sustainability gaps in industrial practices and identifying necessary variables and pathways across a spectrum of relevant dimensions. The project's outcomes are expected to impact scientific, economic, societal, and industrial fields significantly. Key elements from the theory of change included an in-depth analysis of system incentives and penalties, contributing to the design of the project's methodology. The project's progress aligns with its theory of change, focusing on creating impactful and systemic change in the bio-based sectors. The D1.4 encapsulated the project's findings and recommendations, providing a comprehensive view of the framework trajectory and impacts.
At this stage in the project, outcomes and impact are limited with regard to the development and application of scientific methods, because they have not been completed or finalized. In the near future outreach activities are foreseen that bring forward preliminary results and methods.
At this stage in the project, outcomes and impact are limited with regard to the development and application of scientific methods, because they have not been completed or finalized. In the near future outreach activities are foreseen that bring forward preliminary results and methods.