Periodic Reporting for period 1 - STAR4BBS (Sustainability Transition Assessment Rules for Bio-Based Systems)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2024-02-29
Environmental challenges like climate change highlight the need for sustainable production models. A sustainable circular bioeconomy offers solutions by reducing carbon emissions and reliance on non-renewable resources. Sustainability certification schemes (CSLs) play a key role in unlocking the potential of bio-based systems and ensuring compliance with legislation such as the EU Renewable Energy Directive. However, the rapid proliferation of CSLs raises concerns about their effectiveness and creates confusion and greenwashing risks among users. In this context, STAR4BBS is a three-year project focused on maximizing the potential of sustainability CSLs to support the transition to a sustainable bio-based economy. It involves developing indicators and a new monitoring system to assess the effectiveness and robustness of existing CSLs and related systems.
The project aims to harmonize sustainable CSLs and increase transparency in bio-based value chains, distinguishing between certified and uncertified flows. STAR4BBS also analyzes the impact of adopting sustainability certification schemes and conducts a feasibility study. By engaging stakeholders and policymakers, the project increases awareness and uptake of effective CSLs.
STAR4BBS supports proposed laws on green claims to ensure credibility and boost business competitiveness. Ultimately, the project contributes to developing circular, climate-neutral, sustainable bio-based systems, mitigating climate change, and preserving natural resources.
The project aims to harmonize sustainable CSLs and increase transparency in bio-based value chains, distinguishing between certified and uncertified flows. STAR4BBS also analyzes the impact of adopting sustainability certification schemes and conducts a feasibility study. By engaging stakeholders and policymakers, the project increases awareness and uptake of effective CSLs.
STAR4BBS supports proposed laws on green claims to ensure credibility and boost business competitiveness. Ultimately, the project contributes to developing circular, climate-neutral, sustainable bio-based systems, mitigating climate change, and preserving natural resources.
During RP1, the STAR4BBS consortium worked on all work packages to achieve the project's 8 specific objectives using a 6-step approach: review, impact analysis, development of the monitoring system, demonstration, cost-benefit and feasibility analysis, and result maximization.
The review step led to: understanding policy sustainability priorities (150 policy targets from 29 policies); identifying 123 existing international and EU CSLs for bio-based materials and products; analyzing 6 monitoring tools and 40+ feedstocks important to the European bioeconomy. In addition, literature on CSLs' impact on GHG emissions (6,000+ pieces) was screened and assessed, and trade impacts are being evaluated.
These findings informed the conceptualization and development of the BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring System (BMS) with two sister projects, consisting of a database (with indicators grouped in system, content and outcome level) and an evaluation structure (related to the presentation and visualisation of the tool’s results). The BMS validated by the stakeholders, especially during co-creation workshops, is undergoing the first pilot testing, involving three CSLs: RSB, FSC and Nordic Swan. STAR4BBS also assessed costs and benefits of sustainability CSLs in 14 representative bio-based value chains. Stakeholder involvement and collaboration with sister projects maximized the relevance and uptake of project findings through workshops and events.
The review step led to: understanding policy sustainability priorities (150 policy targets from 29 policies); identifying 123 existing international and EU CSLs for bio-based materials and products; analyzing 6 monitoring tools and 40+ feedstocks important to the European bioeconomy. In addition, literature on CSLs' impact on GHG emissions (6,000+ pieces) was screened and assessed, and trade impacts are being evaluated.
These findings informed the conceptualization and development of the BIOBASEDCERT Monitoring System (BMS) with two sister projects, consisting of a database (with indicators grouped in system, content and outcome level) and an evaluation structure (related to the presentation and visualisation of the tool’s results). The BMS validated by the stakeholders, especially during co-creation workshops, is undergoing the first pilot testing, involving three CSLs: RSB, FSC and Nordic Swan. STAR4BBS also assessed costs and benefits of sustainability CSLs in 14 representative bio-based value chains. Stakeholder involvement and collaboration with sister projects maximized the relevance and uptake of project findings through workshops and events.
In RP1, the STAR4BBS project has made significant progress towards increasing transparency within bio-based systems. In particular, the wider application of the developed BMS not only establishes a standardised framework for evaluating the effectiveness and robustness of sustainability CSLs but also facilitates a better harmonization of CSLs. This alignment enhances their potential to deliver important outcomes in line with sustainability policy priorities. During RP1, STAR4BBS actively engaged key stakeholders in the design and development of the BMS and initiated the process of establishing a fast-track standard for the structure and content of the BMS. This involved conducting various consultations with the Horizon Standardization (HS) Booster.
Other results of STAR4BBS represent important foundations to encourage harmonization across certification schemes, labels, and traceability systems. For example, the research on the impact of CSLs on sustainability (e.g. GHG emissions reductions), on trade flows and on costs and benefits contributes identifying the factors that drive the effectiveness of CSls and their potential in delivering on policy objectives. These analyses provide valuable insights into the economic, environmental, and social implications of adopting sustainability certification, supporting informed decision-making by stakeholders. By addressing key needs and challenges, the project's results have the potential to drive further uptake of sustainable practices and contribute to the transition to a more sustainable circular bio-based economy.
Other results of STAR4BBS represent important foundations to encourage harmonization across certification schemes, labels, and traceability systems. For example, the research on the impact of CSLs on sustainability (e.g. GHG emissions reductions), on trade flows and on costs and benefits contributes identifying the factors that drive the effectiveness of CSls and their potential in delivering on policy objectives. These analyses provide valuable insights into the economic, environmental, and social implications of adopting sustainability certification, supporting informed decision-making by stakeholders. By addressing key needs and challenges, the project's results have the potential to drive further uptake of sustainable practices and contribute to the transition to a more sustainable circular bio-based economy.