The European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme this week launched its Bioeconomy Task Force as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the growth of a sustainable green economy. The initiative brings together leading players from across multiple sectors with a shared vision to address the sustainable and circular practices in the bioeconomy across Europe and beyond. Representatives from the new Task Force joined ESA at Rabobank in Utrecht to mark the official start of this important collaboration. 

The bioeconomy is a dynamic and progressive field that brings together technological advancements, policy frameworks, and innovative practices to promote a sustainable future trajectory for our economy and is defined as the sustainable production, utilisation, and conservation of biological resources.

The new Task Force includes a wide range of public, private and not-for-profit organisations, with European and global remits. By working together, ESA's Bioeconomy Task Force will drive forward innovation and support for European businesses across the bioeconomy, from agriculture and forestry to waste and water resource management, textiles and pharmaceuticals, and the list continues to grow. Although this week marked the official launch of the Task Force, many initiatives are already underway with Space for Sustainable Pharma (esa.int) and Nature-based Solutions (esa.int) funding opportunities now open, Space for Sustainable Forestry (esa.int) opening in November and Space for Sustainable Textiles due in the next quarter.

Beatrice Barresi, Senior Sustainable Applications Officer at ESA, who is leading the initiative, said "We are delighted to be joined here today by so many members of our new Task Force, who share our commitment to protecting our natural environment.

We look forward to a long and important collaboration, developing and using innovative space technologies to drive forward sustainable change across multiple sectors. Thank you to Rabobank, one of our members, for hosting us today here in Utrecht."

The Bioeconomy Task Force follows on from ESA’s Maritime Sustainability Task Force which launched earlier this year, and the Energy Task Force and Smart Cities Task Forces which were initiated in 2023. These Task Forces are part of the wider ESA strategy to promote the use of space technologies to accelerate the green transition.

Task Force Members

CEPF-Confederation of European Forest Owners

COPA-COGECA

EUSTAFOR - European State Forest Association

FSC – Forest Stewardship Council

GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard

IACGB – International Advisory Committee on Global Bioeconomy

ICT AGRIFOOD

PEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

RABOBANK

World Economic Forum

Find out more about ESA’s support for the Bioeconomy

Sign up to our quarterly Bioeconomy Bulletin

ESA’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team, together with Airport Regions Council (ARC) and the EUROCONTROL Innovation Hub (EIH), will hold the Space for Smart Airports and Airport Regions webinar on 19 November.

The webinar will outline the opportunities that the ESA BASS programme can offer to airport stakeholders to develop sustainable and innovative applications based on space technologies.

Background

Airports are key transport hubs in our society. They provide essential infrastructure for airlines and help ensure flights can take off and land safely around the world every day. Airports are increasingly relying on technologies to digitalise operations, become more efficient and sustainable, and support multi-modality. Space technologies, among others, are able to support airports and regions in their digitalisation efforts. 

ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions helps businesses from all corners of Europe to harness space technology to improve life on Earth. We work side by side with industry, developing space-enabled solutions that will grow your business and bring essential socioeconomic benefits. All our activities have a focus on the green transition and the global shift towards a more digital, sustainable future.

Airport Regions Council (ARC) stands as the collective voice of regional and local authorities hosting or adjacent to airports. ARC integrates a wealth of expertise at the intersection of airport operations and local/regional policies. The organisation is dedicated to maximising benefits and minimising environmental impact, ultimately striving to improve the well-being of residents in airport regions.

EUROCONTROL, as a founding member of the SESAR Joint Undertaking and in collaboration with air navigation service providers (ANSPs), airports, airspace users, industry, academia and research centres, develops innovative solutions at its Innovation Hub, to shape a safe, efficient and sustainable future of European aviation, ensuring the adoption of technological and operational advancements that maximise efficiency and sustainability.

Don’t miss this chance to hear about the opportunities offered by ESA BASS for smart airports and airport regions.

Objective

To present the opportunities that ESA BASS (Business Applications and Space Solutions) offers to develop sustainable, space-based applications for smart airports and airport regions.

Who should attend?

• European companies providing services to airports
• Stakeholders involved in airports and airport regions management

Draft agenda

15:00-15:10 Welcome and introduction (Sergi Alegre Calero, Director General at Airport Regions Council)
15:10-15:20 Opening words from EUROCONTROL (Giancarlo Ferrara, DRONE/U-space Team - R&I Work Programme Manager)
15:20-15:40 ESA BASS opportunities presentation (Rita Rinaldo, Head of Applications Projects and Studies Division & Enrico Spinelli, Applications Engineer)
15:40-15:45 Conclusions (Sergi Alegre Calero, Director General at Airport Regions Council)
15:45-16:00 Questions and answers

Webinar