CAN BIOTECHNOLOGY DRIVE SUSTAINABLE FOOD SUPPLY IN EUROPE?

A report published by the World Economic Forum claims that biotechnology could be key to navigating food crises in Europe and beyond.

Biotechnology has been cited as a key way to navigate climate change and the food industry with a new report in the World Economic Forum promoting sustainable food technology. A report from Copenhagen Economics notes that 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions can be cut via the use of biosolutions such as biofertilizers, biopesticides and probiotic feed additives. 

Europe is a key region where biotechnology could be transformative for the food industry at large. Research provided by Nature Food indicates that global warming, water usage and land usage can be decreased by more than 80% in Europe if alternative proteins replace meat-based proteins for consumers. Initiatives such as Plant2Food, launched by the Denmark-based Novo Nordisk Foundation, promote IP-free research projects that are centred around plant-based foods, furthering the knowledge and adoption of sustainable food technology across Europe and beyond.

The article from the World Economic Forum also points to public and private investment schemes in Europe, whose goal it is to research and innovate regarding sustainable food solutions. The report encourages more private and public investment in said technologies, as well as public-private investment in facilities that can scale up new technologies. Another way for biotechnology to transform Europe could be a sped-up market approval process for protein alternatives and other new food products, as well as setting up markets for carbon pricing to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in the agri-food industry. 

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