Eine Alternative zu den endlichen fossilen Rohstoffen ist die Nutzung der nachwachsenden Rohstoffe. Hierzu hat sich in Straubing (DE) ein europaweit angesehenes Kompetenzzentrum für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (NaWaRo) etabliert. Unter einem Dach sind Forschung, Umsetzung in angewandte Technologie und Vermarktung von NaWaRos zusammengefasst. Angesichts der Klimadiskussion und verstärkten Nutzung von regenerativen Energien und Biomasse wird diesem Bereich ein immer höherer Stellenwert zukommen, der auch einen europäischen Mehrwert beinhaltet.

Wie fördert die Europäische Union die Forschung, auch die anwendungsnahe Forschung, im Bereich der nachwachsenden Rohstoffe? Wie können einzelne Forschungsstandorte von diesen Aktivitäten profitieren?

Welche Maßnahmen führt die Europäische Kommission zur Vernetzung der Forschung im Bereich nachwachsende Rohstoffe durch?

Sieht die Kommission Bedarf an einer Einrichtung zur Koordinierung eines europaweiten Netzwerks zur Erforschung und praxisorientierten Anwendung der Forschungsergebnisse im Bereich der nachwachsenden Rohstoffe, und würde sie diesbezüglich auch Finanzmittel zur Verfügung stellen?

The Commission’s framework programmes for research and technology development (RTD) have for many years supported research into renewable bio-resources. The current (7th) Framework Programme (FP7), under theme 5 "Energy", puts a particular emphasis on biomass-related research, with biofuel development being a key priority. The main focus is on (1) cost-competitive 1st generation biofuels produced from food crops, (2) 2nd generation biofuels produced from lignocellulosic or "woody" biomass, and (3) integrated production of energy and products from biomass in bio-refineries. Under theme 2 "Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology", collaborative research on renewable resources and their use is supported in three areas 1) Improved biomass and plant renewables, 2) Bioprocesses, and 3) Environmental biotechnologies, Use of waste and by-products. The results from EU funded biomass research in previous framework programmes over the past decade can be found at http://www.biomatnet.org/home.html"

Any research organisation, legally established in any country, may participate in FP7, provided that the minimum conditions as laid down in the Rules for Participation have been met. Actual research funding through FP7 can only be sought by putting together a pan-transnational consortium of partners who then submit a project proposal in response to a specific topic in a dedicated annual call for proposals. Research centres can also help shape EU RTD priorities by contributing to the research agendas of the relevant technology platforms.

The European Commission supports networking of research in the field of bioenergy renewable resources and bioenergy through the use of different instruments. For example, the Network of Excellence “Overcoming barriers to bioenergy” aims at the sharing of research infrastructures and research personnel in one or more of the most relevant areas of bioenergy by the creation of a new and integrated structure (a “virtual” research institute). Another example is the Coordination Action “NETBIOCOF” that promotes European cooperation between research organisations in the field of biomass co-firing in new and existing power plants. The Specific Support Action "EPOBIO", supported in the 6th Framework Programme, aims to apply genomics knowledge to improve the economic potential of plant-derived raw materials for energy or chemical use.

The ERA-NET⁽¹⁾ scheme provides support for the coordination of national and regional research programmes in the European Research Area. In this respect, the individual ERA-NETS for Industrial Biotechnology, for Bioenergy and for Plants are extremely relevant.

European Technology Platforms also foster networking of research by bringing together all interested stakeholders in a certain field. There are four Platforms in particular which have an important bearing on the area of renewable bio-resources: (1) Sustainable Chemistry, (2) Plants for the Future, (3) Biofuels and (4) Forest-Based Sector. These platforms have developed strategic research agendas, which provide key input to research priorities in FP7.

In addition, the FP7 Capacities Work Programme includes integrating activities to support the networking of existing research infrastructures. One of the priority topics under this programme aims at the development of the next generation of bio-fuels.

Besides the Framework Programme, the Commission has also set up a Member States' network for the coordination, the promotion and the implementation of the Knowledge Based Bio-Economy in the Member States, called the KBBE-NET.

As already mentioned there are a number of initiatives currently being financed by the 6th and 7th Framework Programmes for RTD aiming at networking and coordinating research activities in the area of renewable resources. The need for financing further activities or enhancing existing ones will be assessed in the light of the outcome of ongoing progress and inputs received in the development of future FP7 Work Programmes.