PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The focus of the Project is to emphasise the benefits of reduction of the GHG emissions from the LULUCF sector relating to existing market products by replacing them with products from grassland biomass (grass, straw, sedge, reeds) with currently low economic but high CO2 accumulation value and lead to a sustainable, low life-cycle emissions capacity at the product level, simultaneously enhancing biodiversity in grasslands and tackling problems caused by climate change, thus reducing the impact of the targeted sector on the climate change and contributing to achievement of the EU’s ambitious climate mitigation goals. The overall aim of the LIFE UpcyclinGrass Project is to develop, test and demonstrate a variety of innovative technological approaches for climate-smart management of grasslands and circular use of grassland biomass, combined with a business model and pathways for sustainable and economically competitive products for agricultural, horticultural and forestry use. The general objectives of the Project are:
- To substitute currently existing products made from non-renewable resources (for example, peat), which are associated with high life-cycle emission levels.
- To assess the impacts of the circular grassland management approach introduced in the project on climate change mitigation targets, biodiversity and local economies.
- To create an incentive-based mechanism to encourage individual actors to apply climate-smart agriculture practices and promote its integration into Common Agricultural Policy after 2027.
The Project will deliver technologies, circular business models and incentivising mechanisms that will promote both sustainable grassland management and protection of healthy peatlands by substituting agriculture products from non-renewable resources with new, economically competitive and less GHG-intensive products made from grassland biomass materials. The Project will address the key shortcomings that hinder the efforts for prevention of land degradation, GHG emission reduction, enhancement of carbon sequestration and conservation of biodiversity through demonstration of economically viable, sustainable and circular grassland management practices, as well as endeavour to initiate institutional and industrial dialogue for better policy support for grass-based businesses and market acceptance for innovative products. At the very core of the Project design is an extensive set of actions aimed at ensuring the sustainability, continuity of the Project results with a key focus on capitalisation of the developed and demonstrated win-win-win solutions for climate, environment and people with clear and appraisable economic benefits, thus laying strong foundation for their sustainability, replication and uptake beyond the duration of the Project. The Project work plan is designed in a way that towards the end of the Project the developed circular business model would be fully operating, which will be ensured by established collaborative partnerships and networks, bringing together multi-stakeholders and encouraging their engagement for shared benefits.