FACTSHEET

Photo courtesy of Vivergo Fuels research initiatives, networks andfinanceinstruments, intheUK. technology system. It includes the key government interventions, This factsheet gives oftheUKbioeconomyinnovation anoverview UK BIOECONOMY FACTSHEET JUNE 2015 BIOECONOMY FACTSHEET | UK

Bioeconomy Governance Bioenergy and Biofuels Climate Change Policy Research & Technology Funding The key government bodies are: To reach renewable energy The UK Government established the world’s first legally binding GHG emission reduction target in the • Department for Transport (DfT) targets, plans are set The main funding bodies responsible for bioeconomy Climate Change Act 2008. Developing a more circular • Department of Energy & Climate out in the UK Renewable R&D: Change (DECC) Energy Roadmap 2011 economy is seen as part of the solution. The Carbon Plan 2011 (updated 2013) addresses how the UK • Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (updated 2012), including • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research will cut carbon emissions, which includes using (BIS) accelerating biomass Council (BBSRC) renewables and bioenergy. • Department of Environment, Food, Rural Affairs heat and electricity. • Engineering and Physical Sciences Research (DEFRA) Council (EPSRC) • A joint-ministerial role champions the waste For bioenergy specifically the Bioenergy Strategy • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) bioeconomy 2012 provides a holistic view of biomass uses in Finance • UK Energy Research Council (UKERC) setting bioenergy policy and electricity, heat, and • Innovate UK transport policy. Public investment funds for commercial bioeconomy Bioeconomy Strategies projects: The UK aims to stimulate private investment for • UK Green Investment Bank A number of national plans and strategies have renewable energy infrastructure. The Energy Act (green projects on commercial been published by public bodies to develop the UK 2004 and 2013 encompass the powers to introduce terms) bioeconomy: the following obligations and incentives to support • Rainbow Seed Fund A number of major R&D initiatives have been activated the development of renewable markets: (kick-starting UK synthetic biology companies) to enhance the UKs potential for commercialising • Building a High Value Bioeconomy: Opportunities • CO2 Sense (renewable energy projects) bioeconomy technologies: from Waste (2015) Biofuels • Enabling the Transition to a Green Economy • The Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation Order • IB Catalyst scheme - £40 million RDI funding (2011) (RTFO) regulates, and Certificates (RTFCs) Technology 2014-2015 • IB 2025 – Maximising UK Opportunities from IB incentivise, suppliers to include increasing levels • £25 million advanced biofuel demonstration in a Low Carbon Economy of biofuels in the road transport fuel mix. Commercialisation Centres competition • Synthetic Biology Roadmap • Integrated Biorefining Research and Technology for the UK 2012 Renewable Electricity Club (IBTI) The Centre for Process Innovation, part of Innovate • The High-value Manufacturing • Feed-In-Tariffs - incentives for small scale • Bioprocessing Research Industry Club (BRIC) UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, is the main Strategy 2012 renewable electricity. • BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre (BSBEC) hub for IB business support. Other thriving R&D • A UK Roadmap for Algal • Renewables Obligation Order (RO) regulates, • The Synthetic Biology Road Map, led to the commercialisation centres include: Technologies 2013 and Certificates (ROCs) incentivise, large scale development of SynBio research centres at the • Anaerobic Digestions Strategy renewable electricity generation. Universities of Manchester, Newcastle, Warwick, • Biorenewables Development Centre York and Action Plan • Contracts-for-Difference - incentives for large Edinburgh, Bristol, and Kings and Imperial College • BEACON • Biorefinery Roadmap for Scotland 2015 scale renewable electricity (replacing ROCs). London. • IBiolC Glasgow Renewable Heat • EBRI Aston University • • Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive

Photo courtesy of GWE Biogas BIOECONOMY FACTSHEET | UK

Networks • Many vibrant regional bioeconomy clusters, such as BioVale (Yorkshire), One Nucleus (London and Cambridge), North East Process Industry Cluster, There are many active networks, associations, Norwich Research Park, and BioCity Nottingham. clusters and groups, promoting UK bioeconomy and linking stakeholders, including;

• 13 BBSRC Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB). • Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Network. Biohorizons • Innovate UK’s Special Interest Groups (includ- The Biohorizons project and ing SynBio-SIG, IB-SIG, Algae Bioenergy-SIG, and survey focused on consulting Biopharmaceutical Formulation-SIG. stakeholders across the bioeconomy, to identify areas • Industry Associations – Biobased & Biodegrad- for growth, opportunity, and able Industries Association, Renewable Energy barriers to innovation. Association, AD Bioresources Association, Chem- ical Industry Association, and Bio-Industry Biohorizons Project: Association. http://www.climate-kic.org/projects/biohorizons/ LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/1dPjX7R • Government Working Groups – IB Leadership Forum, Synthetic Biology Leadership Council, Chemistry Growth Partnership.

BIO BASE NWE This factsheet was produced by Bio Base NWE partners and Biohorizons. The Bio Base NWE network represents More Bioeconomy Factsheets can be found here: leading biobased economy experts, www.BioBaseNWE.org or www.nnfcc.uk/publications advising entrepreneurs from across Europe on how to develop new ideas into marketable products, from the first feasibility study or market analysis up to funding and investment scenarios. www.BioBaseNWE.org