In today’s Morning Brief:

EU organic aquaculture production: Steep rise for organic shellfish

A new EUMOFA report reveals that the EU’s organic aquaculture production has increased by 60% in five years (2015-2020), mainly due to a growth in organic mussel production. Organic production from finfish, however, is stalling or even decreasing, mostly due to the limited demand and technical difficulties to apply the EU organic regulation. Total organic aquaculture production at EU 27 level is estimated at 74,032 tonnes in 2020, which accounts for 6.4% of the total EU aquaculture production.

Based on data collected for this study (EU and national sources), the main species produced are mussels (41,936 tonnes), accounting for more than half of the total organic aquaculture production, followed by salmon (12,870 tonnes), trout (4,590 tonnes), carp (3,562 tonnes), oyster (3,228 tonnes) and European seabass/gilthead seabream (2,750 tonnes).

The main EU producers of organic aquaculture are Ireland (salmon and mussel), Italy (mussel and finfish), France (oyster, mussel, and trout), the Netherlands (mussel), Spain (mussel and sturgeon), Germany, Denmark and Bulgaria (mussel).

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New search tool makes it easier to find regional funding opportunities for bio-based projects

Companies and start-ups looking for financial support for scaling up bio-based innovation can find it difficult to find information on regional funding. The regions are important players when it comes to fostering the bioeconomy.

Since its foundation, BIC has been working together with regions in various ways. A main objective of BIC is to bridge the gap between bio-based investment opportunities and financial incentives at regional level. A major milestone in reaching that objective was the creation of BIC’s regional platform in 2020, to better connect industry members with European regions. 

Now, and complementary to the regional platform, BIC is launching a database, that includes a search tool, for regional funding information and opportunities for bio-based projects. 

There are two main benefits of the new BIC database. The search function will make it easier for companies to find regional funding opportunities. For regions, the database can facilitate peer learning and policy exchange on funding programmes between the regional members.

“This database is the next step in the new pillar of activities that BIC is developing for its members: improve access to finance and facilitate investments. A good collaboration with regions is crucial to stimulate investments in local innovative value chains in Europe,” explains BIC CEO, Dirk Carrez.

Funding information for the database was collected from the regions via direct contact, interviews and desk research. The focus of the database is on funding for advanced projects in the bioeconomy (at least technology readiness level 7 i.e. demonstration in operational environment or higher). BIC will update the database twice a year. The next update is in September 2022.

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Commission publishes 2022 report on Sustainable Development Goals in the European Union

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, published today the ‘Sustainable development in the European Union – 2022 monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context‘,  which provides a statistical overview of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the EU.

The data included in the report show that the EU has made progress towards most goals over the last five years, in line with Commission’s priorities in key policy areas such as the European Green Deal, the Digital Strategy and the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. While progress towards reaching some goals was faster than for others, movement away from the sustainable development objectives occurred only in few specific areas.

Find out more here. 

Innovation Radar of the European Commission acknowledges INESC TEC project for the second time

TThe FotoInMotion (FiM), a European project focusing on multimedia, computer vision and artificial intelligence, was acknowledged, for the second time by the European Commission’s Innovation Radar, an initiative that aims to identify high potential innovations of projects funded by the European Union.

The latest recognition highlights two outcomes: the previously acknowledged technology developed at INESC TEC (Automated Annotation in Images), but also its evolution to a more advanced stage (Market Maturity of the Innovation: Tech Ready) i.e., it has already been proven – through the testing of the solution in a real environment with users – that it meets the defined purposes, and that it does so under the conditions required for concrete use, contributing to a high success rate in the identification of visual elements, with adequate processing times.

The technology Video Creation Platform for Storytelling was also acknowledged; it’s an integrated software solution that includes INESC TEC’s contribution to the Automated Annotation in Images solution, but also other modules that allow adding information regarding the context where the pictures were taken – namely, the location and surrounding sound, among others, as well as other modules that allow adapting this solution to mobile phones and computers. It’s important to highlight that the solution also includes features to create animations about certain elements identified and other useful tools for users.

“The team was very proud of receiving multiple acknowledgments, since they’re a recognition of the work of excellence developed within the scope of the project,” said Paula Viana, project coordinator and researcher at INESC TEC’s Centre for Telecommunications and Multimedia (CTM). “They are also a proof of INESC TEC’s status as a research entity with key results in the fields of multimedia, computer vision and artificial intelligence”, she added.

In particular, the results of the project (already acknowledged in 2020) include a set of processes and tools that allow transforming a single picture into a high-quality video, with dynamic storytelling and branding effects.

Commission launches consultations on the regulatory framework for renewable hydrogen

The European Commission has launched two consultations on two delegated acts clarifying EU rules applicable to renewable hydrogen under the 2018 Renewable Energy Directive. Once adopted, these documents will complete the Commission’s overall proposal for a regulatory framework for renewable hydrogen.

The first proposal, covering Renewable Fuels of Non- Biological sets the criteria for products that fall into the “renewable hydrogen” category, important to meet the renewable energy targets for the transport sector. The second proposal on the methodology for GHG savings puts forward a detailed scheme to calculate the life-cycle emissions of renewable hydrogen as well as recycled carbon fuels to meet the greenhouse gas emission reduction threshold set in the Renewable Energy Directive. These documents are open for a four-week public consultation, ending on 17 June. The Commission invites all citizens and stakeholders to provide their comments.

After the consultations are concluded, the Commission will propose a final text to the European Parliament and the Council, who will exercise a two-month scrutiny period over the document before its final adoption by the Commission.

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European Semester Spring Package: Sustaining a green and sustainable recovery in the face of increased uncertainty

The European Commission’s 2022 European Semester Spring Package provides Member States with support and guidance two years on from the first impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the midst of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The Spring 2022 Economic Forecast projects the EU economy to continue growing in 2022 and 2023. However, while the EU economy continues to show resilience, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has created a new environment, exacerbating pre-existing headwinds to growth, which were previously expected to subside. It also poses additional challenges to the EU economies related to security of energy supply and fossil fuel dependency on Russia. 

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