Question reference: S5W-10788
- Date lodged: 16 August 2017
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 13 September 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on opportunities for the progression of the bio-economy in Orkney and when this will be published.
Answer
Information on opportunities for the progression of the bioeconomy in Orkney is not held centrally.
The bioeconomy is one of four priority sectors set out in 'Making Things Last - A Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland' (available at http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00494471.pdf). The Scottish Government recognises that food waste and production is a significant source of carbon emissions, and a more circular approach to the beer, whisky and fish sectors could lead to potential savings of £0.5 billion per year.
Circular economy-related SME support is being extended by up to £30m of EU funds up to the end of 2018.
The Zero Waste Scotland Circular Economy Service and £18 million Circular Economy Investment Fund will support SMEs to exploit circular economy opportunities by changing their products and business models and by collaborating with supply chains and academia.
The Zero Waste Scotland ‘Bioeconomy Accelerator’ under the Circular Economy Investment Fund is supporting innovative projects in partnership with IBioIC to enable transformative projects and maximise collaboration between business and research.
As set out in our draft Scottish energy strategy (available at http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0051/00513466.pdf), we want to enhance our understanding of the role bioenergy can play in decarbonising Scotland’s energy system. That is why we have committed to developing a whole system Bioenergy Action Plan.
No publication date has been set for the Bioenergy Action Pan but we will be engaging with a wide range of stakeholders across Scotland over the coming months to shape the development of the plan.