New roadmap sets out how to reduce CO₂ emissions using Industrial Biotechnology

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, publishes Industrial biotechnology Report: strategic roadmap for standards and regulations, sponsored by Innovate UK and the Industrial Biotechnology Leadership Forum (IBLF).

Industrial Biotechnology has the potential to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions1. By embedding biotechnology at the heart of industrial processes and products, it can help to support the government target of doubling the bioeconomy to £440 billion by 20302 and contribute to the UK plan to achieve net zero greenhouse emissions by 20503.

The new report identifies five industry sectors, with short to medium term potential for carbon reduction using industrial biotechnology: agritech; biofuels; fine and speciality chemicals; plastics; and textiles. It provides a roadmap to unlock this potential with recommendations grouped into four pathways: circular resources; communication tools; informed science-led approach; and a supportive level-playing field. The report suggests a combination of government support, agreement on good practice and private sector investment is needed to realise the potential of industrial biotechnology.

Ben Sheridan, Manufacturing Sector Lead at BSI, said: “This major new report provides a route-map for companies in the industrial biotechnology supply chain who want to follow good practice and take action to reduce CO₂ emissions. It also provides guidance to policy makers and industry, based on interviews with 50 stakeholders, to inform future regulation and standardization priorities”.

Paul Bello, Innovate UK’s Innovation Lead for Industrial Biotechnology, said: “Innovate UK together with the Industrial Biotechnology Leadership Forum are extremely pleased to see the delivery and official launch of the BSI roadmap detailing where regulation and standards can stimulate Industrial Biotechnology sector policy and innovation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through bio-based processes, products and services that displace fossil-derived equivalents. This report is so timely given the UK government’s recent ambitious new emissions target setting the UK on the path to net zero by 2050, and backed by the Prime Minister’s own Ten Point Plan for a green industrial revolution aiming to create and support up to 250,000 British jobs by 2030”.

Paul Mines, co-chair (interim), Industrial Biotechnology Leadership Forum, commented: “This excellent report by BSI points the way towards a sustainable future by examining the significant contribution that industrial biotechnology can make to the UK’s prosperity and quest for net-zero. It highlights how important industrial sectors that touch our everyday lives might be transformed and how standards and regulations, communicated clearly, are vital in this fast-growing technology space”.

Download the report here: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/industries-and-sectors/manufacturing-and-processing/industrial-biotechnology-roadmap

Source: The British Standards Institution, press release, 2021-03-30.