Environmental Biotechnology: A Missing Pillar in Europe’s Bioeconomy Strategy

Position Paper for the European Commission’s Bioeconomy Strategy Consultation

Title: Harnessing Environmental Biotechnology for a Resilient and Sustainable Bioeconomy

BIoremediation position paper_ALL4BIOREM.pdf

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Executive Summary

Environmental biotechnology is now a mature scientific domain offering critical tools to address systemic environmental and health challenges across the EU. Bioremediation, in particular, demonstrates how microbial processes can directly support climate resilience, ecosystem recovery, and public health protection.

This paper calls for the integration of environmental biotechnology into the core of the European Bioeconomy Strategy. To overlook its role would be to ignore one of the most effective, science-based tools we have to remediate, regenerate, and future-proof our environments.

Call for Policy Alignment, Not Just Support

This position paper advocates for strategic alignment, not simply more funding. Environmental biotechnology deserves formal recognition in EU bioeconomy and innovation strategies, alongside biomanufacturing and agri-bio sectors.

Specifically, we recommend:

• Prioritising environmental biotechnology in Horizon Europe successor frameworks, including in Cluster 6 and the Missions program, with dedicated calls or cross-sector synergies.

• Embedding bioremediation within regulatory and innovation roadmaps, including the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the Soil Health Mission.

• Creating interoperable data systems and predictive models to support decision-makers in both environmental management and innovation scaling.

• Engaging with citizens and stakeholders through transparency and education around microbial solutions, countering misinformation and promoting acceptance of DNA-based and GMO-related technologies.

These measures will ensure the field contributes not just isolated breakthroughs, but broad systemic innovation.

Conclusion: Environmental Biotechnology Must Be a Pillar of the Bioeconomy

The EU has already laid the groundwork. It now faces a clear decision: continue to nurture this strategically vital sector or risk stagnation and missed opportunities. Environmental biotechnology is no longer emerging - it is ready. It supports resilience, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability across policy domains.

We urge the European Commission to recognize environmental biotechnology not as an adjunct to the bioeconomy, but as one of its essential foundations.

 

Endorsed by EU Bioremediation Cluster Projects - ALL4BIOREM:

• MIBIREM – https://www.mibirem.eu/

• EDAPHOS – https://edaphos.eu/

• BIOSYSMO – https://www.biosysmo.eu/

• SYMBIOREM – https://symbiorem.eu/

• NYMPHE – https://www.nympheproject.eu/

• BIOREM – https://www.bioremproject.eu/ 

• pHYBi – https://www.phybi.eu/  

• IASIS – https://www.iasis-soil.eu/ 

• LIFE MySOIL – https://lifemysoil.eu/ 

Disclaimer: This position reflects the views of the undersigned projects and not necessarily those of the European Commission or granting authorities