Approach and Objectives
Using pre-defined selection criteria, 3-CO will select and investigate ten suitable bio-based value chains from relevant sectors. For this, 3-CO will assess the selected value chains for existing and lacking coverage of LCS’s key environmental, social and economic aspects through pre and co-normative research.
To assess the effectiveness and robustness of existing sustainability LCS for the bioeconomy, 3-CO will evaluate and use existing monitoring systems and indicators. These will be tailored to the objectives of the 3-CO project and result in a science-based supportive for the assessment of selected LCS.
3-CO will determine LCS’s feasibility and economic performance to understand the different associated costs and benefits.
3-CO will determine the effectiveness and robustness of selected LCS based on the framework and compare them to the 3-CO findings concerning consumer behavior and the best practice established from literature and expert advice.
3-CO will iteratively develop smart digital solutions, including online and physical shopping options, that utilise the gained understanding of consumer views and behavior to create a labeling system that supports sustainable consumption. These digital solutions will provide information on product traceability, quality, carbon footprint, biodiversity, and other environmental impacts.
3-CO will promote efforts for social engagement/innovation supporting consumers, industry, and public bodies to switch towards socially and environmentally responsible behaviour.
3-CO will seek collaboration with related activities on labeling, empowering consumers, and social engagement/innovation.
The perspectives of bio-based value chains, consumers, industry stakeholders, and public bodies/authorities will be combined to develop actionable guidelines for designing B2C labels for BBP:s for owners of environmental labeling and information systems, public authorities, and industry designers. These labels will improve consumers’ responsible decision-making processes and the sustainability performance and competitiveness of bio-based systems.
Work Packages
The objective of WP1 is to thoroughly understand existing LCSs for the bioeconomy through pre- and co-normative research. It will assess existing and lacking coverage of environmental, social, and economic aspects as well as robustness and effectiveness and ultimately derive a science-based supportive framework for the further development of bioeconomy LCSs.
The objective of WP2 is to understand the consumers’ decision-making processes and motivation toward sustainable consumption. Existing LCS will be tested and evaluated, and consumers’ needs and requirements for future labeling of BBP:s will be defined. WP2 will develop smart digital solutions for consumers supporting the decision-making process and behavioral change to support responsible consumption.
The objective of WP3 is to collect inspirational examples on other instruments beyond labels and certificates, supporting consumers, industry, and public bodies to switch towards socially and environmentally responsible behavior, and to provide recommendations on how to deploy social measures and establish innovative governance models contributing to reduced resource consumption and increased innovation capacity of all actors.
The objective of WP4 is to develop actionable guidelines for designing labels for BBP:s for LCS owners, public authorities, and industry designers. The design guidelines are generated based on the results of WP1-WP3, including the perspectives of bio-based value chains, consumers, industry stakeholders, and public bodies/authorities. The guidelines will address different stakeholder requirements for the transparency of BBPs to support the design of bio-based labels that improve the responsible decision-making processes of consumers and improve the sustainability performance and competitiveness of bio-based systems.
WP5 will carry out project dissemination, exploitation, and communication efforts to (i) disseminate the project results among relevant stakeholders, (ii) ensure the establishment of cooperation activities with the stakeholders and relevant projects and initiatives, and (iii) ensure the exploitation of the project’s KER through adequate exploitation plans.
This WP ensures the overall management, administration, coordination, and execution of the project and that the project progresses and results are achieved following the GA and expectations of the call.
The objective is to ensure compliance with the “ethics requirements” set out in this work package.