EUROPEAN COMPOST NETWORK
ECN e.V.



Network for Organic Resources and Biological Treatment
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ECN E-BULLETIN No. 1_2023
19 january 2023
EU Commission I Zero Pollution Action Plan

First ever ‘zero pollution’ monitoring and outlook report published

An integrated report on the monitoring and outlook of air, water and soil pollution has been issued by the EU Commission, to assess the progress made on the pathway towards a toxic-free environment by 2050, and the shortcomings which need to be most urgently tackled in the future.
The ‘monitoring’ component was assessed by the European Environment Agency, focusing on the progress made and the distance toward achieving the 2030 targets of the Zero Pollution Action Plan (ZPAP).
Bildschirmfoto 2023-01-18 um 22.55.49
Soil pollution was also addressed, turning out to be one of the most difficult to assess due to the lack of a regulatory framework for monitoring and reporting which is now being considered in upcoming legislation (Soil Health Law). Despite that, growing evidence shows long-term damage being done to ecosystems that are crucial for healthy food and biodiversity. The report also indicates that the progress towards circular economy targets has been slow, with residual municipal waste levels remaining essentially unaltered since 2016 and packaging waste growing by 19% from 2010 levels.
The ‘outlook’ presents modelling and foresight results that provide a perspective on whether the EU is on course in terms of the objectives and targets of the EU Zero Pollution ambitions and the associated EU legislation. Soil quality suffers from historical pollution with persistent industrial chemicals and heavy metals, nonetheless the Soil Strategy for 2030 is trying to close the gaps and put Europe partially on track to achieve the targets of the ZPAP and the EU Green Deal.
Environmental Council I Circular Economy Package

Governments comment on the new Circular Economy Package presented by the Commission

On 20 December, at the last Environment Council of 2022, Executive Vice-president for the European Green Deal Timmermans presented the latest work of the Commission to Member States’ environment ministers, giving space for a debate on the different subjects addressed.
After a debate on the Nature Restoration Law proposal among EU environment ministers, the Commission presented the zero-pollution package that includes proposals to revise legislation on air quality, on priority substances in surface and groundwater and on urban wastewater treatment. EU executives also explained what is covered by the new circular economy package, which includes proposals to revise the packaging and waste packaging legislation and a proposal for a new legislation on carbon removal certification, as well as a policy framework for bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics.
On Carbon removals, most of the governments’ representatives welcomed the proposal and focused their attention on having clearly defined carbon removal activities with their respective specific methodology rules, while some expressed concerns on double counting, the permanence of the removals and possible disincentive for land managers. Few ministers also expressed doubts regarding the Commission’s approach on completing the specific rules governing the certificates through Delegated Acts, suggesting to include them directly in the proposal.
Ministers also took the floor to give their views on the packaging and packaging waste proposed regulation, which was met with more criticism. Member States expressed their worries about rules concerning extended producer responsibility and on recyclability targets, which were deemed too ambitious. Ministers also recognised that some rules could jeopardize the proper functioning of already existing systems.
Concerning the Communication on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics, ministers called on the Commission to develop a separate legislative measure as a follow-up, stating that future regulation on this topic will be needed.
EU Council I Swedish Presidency

Sweden reveals the work programme of its incoming presidency

Sweden will hold the rotating Council presidency from January 1st until June 31st, trying to deliver on the still pending policy commitments included in the “trio programme” created together with the French and Czech previous presidencies.
Among its priorities in the agriculture sector, the Swedish presidency will follow up on the Commission’s Communication on the availability and affordability of fertilisers and scale up the role of the bioeconomy in Europe. Regarding environmental issues, the Presidency intends to advance the work on the revision of the Packaging and packaging waste directive and the proposal on a certification framework for carbon removals. The revision of the Industry Emissions Directive is also prioritised in the programme. On the energy side, Sweden will continue trilogues on the proposal for a revision of the Renewable Energy Directive within the RepowerEU initiative.
The full programme can be consulted here.
UN Biodiversity Conference COP15 I Global Biodiversity Framework

Nations adopt landmark UN Biodiversity agreement in Montreal

The EU joined 195 countries to agree on a new set of goals guiding global action through 2030 to halt and reverse nature loss. This resulted in the adoption of a historic deal, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The Kunming-Montreal agreement will accelerate ambitious policies around the world and mobilise financing for biodiversity from all sources. With this deal, the global community commits itself to protecting and restoring nature and removing pollution with different actions, with most of them already forming part of the European Green Deal. This will ensure that nature continues sustaining societies, economies and communities for decades to come.
Key goals and targets for 2030 and 2050 have been set, including the restoration of 30% of degraded ecosystems, the reduction of nutrient loss by at least 50% by 2030, the upscaling of nature-based solutions to tackle climate change and an increase in sustainable land management practices.
EU Commission I Horizon Europe

Horizons Europe 2023 calls for proposals open

The HorizonEU 2023 calls for proposals on Cluster 6 which comprises food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment are now open.
Applications will be accepted until 23 March, 28 March and 12 April depending on the specific topic. Over €890 million are available to fund innovative solutions which support biodiversity, healthy food, sustainable food systems, circular economy, zero pollution and the protection of land, forests and water ecosystems.
To know more about all the opportunities you can visit this page.
EU Commission I Food Security

Main drivers on food security takled in Commission Document

The European Commission has produced a Staff Working Document (SWD) in which the main factors influencing availability and access to food are addressed.
The analysis, which serves as a blueprint to shape Commission’s future legislative activity, identifies the pressures that food systems in Europe are facing, assessing the key drivers affecting food security from both the supply and demand sides.
Seven main categories of drivers that affect the ability of food systems to deliver healthy and sustainable diets for all are described: biophysical and environmental drivers; research and innovation, and technology; economic and market drivers; food value chain performance; political and institutional drivers; socio-cultural drivers, and demographic drivers, which interact with each other in a multifaceted across the system.
Biowaste, together with compost and digestate also features in this analysis. The proper treatment of the organic waste stream is mentioned as a possible remediation measure for environmental pollution and soil degradation, enriching the soil with organic matters and closing nutrient cycles, whilst representing a solution against the environmental impacts associated with the excessive utilisation of mineral fertilisers on agricultural land. Recycled organic waste soil improvers and fertilisers are deemed as ‘promising avenues’ for the green transition of the fertilisers industry in the EU long-term vision, to wean itself off imported gas and avoid putting at risk food security.
Here you can find the full document.

Announcements

ICAW 2023 I 7 - 13 May 2023

For Healthier Soil, Healthier Food…Compost!

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative in the compost industry. It is celebrated worldwide each year during the first full week of May. The dates for ICAW 2023 are May 7 - 13. The 2023 International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) theme is truly a collaborative and international effort. This year, we teamed up with the International Compost Alliance (ICA) to select: For Healthier Soil, Healthier Food…Compost! The theme was chosen based on a serious worldwide issue that every nation, unfortunately, experiences: hunger.One of the initiatives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), is Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
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As part of the ICAW committee’s global discussion with our international partners around the world, we spoke the same language, and all wanted to promote a unified theme - aligning a topic important to each country while emphasizing our work with compost.
The chosen 2023 theme best reflects the goal of focusing on how compost can have a role in helping feed the world, by making our soil healthier which produces healthier food. How does compost help? By recycling organics into compost and using it on our farmlands we create healthy soils that produce healthier food and higher yields. It also reduces the need for fertilizer and pesticides, improves water quality and conserves water, as well as stores carbon in soil - helping to reduce climate change. Compost not only helps the environment but also helps to decrease food shortages experienced around the world. For Healthier Soil, Healthier Food…Compost!
The winner video of the Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF) video contest can be accessed here.
The goal of ICAW is to work together to raise public awareness on why we all should be composting our organics recycling and using compost.
Please consider celebrating composting with an event on your plant, in your community or as a public event in the week of ICAW 2023!
BVOR-Demodagen I 24-25 May 2023

BVOR-Demodagen - Outdoor machinery exhibition for bio-waste in the Netherlands

The ‘BVOR-Demodagen’ will take place at Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th of Mai 2023 at the compost plant from ‘Combinatie Afvalzorg & den Ouden vof’ in Brunssum, close to the German and Belgian border. The Demodagen are freely accessible for visitors.
SAMSUNG CSC
Every two years, the BVOR (Dutch Association of Bio Waste Processors) organises the BVOR-Demodagen at one of the plants of their members. During the exhibition companies and organizations demonstrate machines and services for companies which make compost or biomass out of bio waste. Almost 40 machines are demonstrating their abilities. Shredders, chippers, windshifters, turnover machines, screening machines can be seen in action.
In the morning and afternoon there are organised tours (in Dutch). Inside, there is also more information from different exhibitors. Additionally to the companies with the machinery, there are organisations which have a link to the world of bio waste, e.g. consultancies, governmental organisations, weighing systems, certification.
More information can be found here.
4per1000 & BSAG Regional conference I Helsinki (FI) I 6-8 June 2023

Conference on Soil Carbon Sequestration – Registration open

The 1st ever Northern Europe “4 per 1000” Regional Meeting takes place in Helsinki, Finland on 6–8 June 2023. Please join the discussion on soil carbon sequestration, gain new perspectives and become inspired. The conference is organised by the 4per1000 initiative and the Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG).
Participation is free of charge. However, the organisers reserve the right to charge no-shows with the costs incurred (approx. 150 € per day).
Registration: 28 February 2023
Submission of poster abstracts: 28 February 2023 (further instructions upon registration)
Please register here.
IPT 2023 I Vienna (AT) I 7 September 2023

International Practitioner Day on Composting Plant of the City of Vienna

Please save the date for the composting and technology demonstration days of the Austrian Compost & Biogas Association (KBVÖ).
Further information will follow soon!
RAMIRAN 2023 I Cambridge (UK) I 12-14 September 2023

Registration and abstract submissions now open

We are pleased to announce that registration and abstract submissions for the 18th international RAMIRAN conference are now open at https://ramiran2023.org/
RAMIRAN will be held in Cambridge, UK from 12–14 September 2023 and will focus on developing strategies to maximise the efficiency of organic materials against a background of changing regulation, policy and market forces and increasing pressure on the environment, soil quality and food production.
Oral and poster presentations are invited to cover the full spectrum of research, from theory to implementation and adoption by stakeholders.
The deadline for submitting abstracts for RAMIRAN 2023 is 3 March 2023. Please check the RAMIRAN 2023 website for updates on the conference: https://ramiran2023.org/

S.O.S Save Organics in Soil

This international initiative S.O.S. SOIL – Save Organics in Soil, led by the European Compost Network (ECN) and the Italian Composting and Biogas Association (CIC), aims to highlight the importance of soil organic matter to encourage policy makers to develop instruments to move Europe towards implementing sustainable, climate proof soil management practices.
Sign the manifesto 'Save Organigs in Soil' here.

European Compost Network ECN e.V.
Im Dohlenbruch 11, D-44795 Bochum
T: +49 (0) 234 438 9447
Email: info@compostnetwork.info
Website: www.compostnetwork.info
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ECN-QAS Trade Mark No 011007168
Trade mark for certified quality assurance
organisations, compost and digestate products
according
to ECN-QAS
Website: www.ecn-qas.eu

ECN-QAS
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