Category: <span>Outreach</span>

Bioenergy and bioeconomy network synergies – IEA Report

An IEA Inter-Task report on Synergies for bioenergy supply chain in Bioeconomy networks describes efforts to expand the current linear value chain perspective into a broader network-based view of bioenergy and bioeconomy systems. The report introduces a framework to help identify and leverage synergies between bioenergy supply chains, biobased materials …

Frozen fun – with interesting lipids

A recent paper looks at the revival rates for microorganisms found in ancient permafrost cores from the Permafrost Research Tunnel near Fairbanks, Alaska. The researchers compared microbial growth rates, marker gene sequences and greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4) emissions across cores held anaerobically at ambient (−4°C) and elevated (4°C, 12°C) temperatures. …

Green Stories – October 2025 highlights

Every month we are highlighting selected items from our Green Stories: Microbes to the Rescue anthology, equivalent to about 30 mins in the Audiobook version. The anthology is also available as a free eBook on the Resources page. This month’s authors are both from Australia but with rather different stories to tell: Chapter 7:  Interview with …

WASTE Impact Report 2024 – and a shout-out for its activities

At the suggestion of one EBNet member who is particularly active in this area, a brief shout-out for the work of WASTE, which aims to catalyse scalable, system-level solutions to urgent challenges in the area of sanitation and solid waste management. WASTE is an international organisation that develops and manages …

New EBIC podcast episode – and New Scientist Live event

Episode 2 of the Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre‘s Podcast Series features Prof Natalio Krasnogor and Yasir Akbar of Newcastle University. In this episode, they discuss their pioneering work at the intersection of computer science and engineering biology, with a particular focus on the innovative use of barcodes in engineered microbes. From …

IWA Publishing eBooks – free to read

The International Water Association (IWA) has a range of publications freely available to read or download in electronic format.  Books in particular can be eye-wateringly expensive [no pun intended] for the individual reader, so these are a very valuable resource. A recent addition, published in September 2025, is Environmental Technologies …

September 2025 – Green Stories selection

Each month we are showcasing selected stories from our Green Stories: Microbes to the Rescue anthology, equivalent to about 30 mins in the Audiobook version. The anthology is also available as a free eBook on the Resources page. The first two have a futuristic flavour: Chapter 15:  Future Tree by Nick Sidwell, UK – environmental biotechnology …

Joint call to promote nutrients in the EU Circular Economy Act

The European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform (ESPP) is inviting organisations to sign a letter calling for ambitious targets for nutrients in the EU’s Circular Economy Act. Sustainable nutrient supply and management is a critical issue for many regions, with several countries including the UK currently reviewing associated regulations: any further developments …

Blooming algae again

Two years ago algal blooms in Lough Neagh, the UK’s largest freshwater lake, were so severe they caught international attention. Plans were drawn up and debated, but now it looks like the issue is firmly back in the news. Dr Les Gornall, an expert in Anaerobic Digestion and animal slurries …

Organic Waste Feedstocks for Bioenergy and Biorefinery production

Two recent reports by IEA Bioenergy’s Task 43 add to the literature on assessing and tracking the availability of biomass feedstocks for production of bioenergy, biofuels and bioproducts. The Review of feedstock supply for bioenergy in selected IEA Bioenergy member countries aims to define and inform a structured framework for …

Bird Life

Today is a public holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, so a quirky item that may interest bird lovers seems suitable… Brett Westwood is a radio presenter and author specialising in natural history, especially birds.  Angela Bywater, EBNet’s former Network Co-Manager who now manages the UK side of the …

Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts – UK/Canada Visit

The Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts (GCSB) aims to develop environmentally and economically sustainable bio-derived composites and plastics, utilising waste biomass to replace petroleum and its derivatives. It started early this year, and is one of six worldwide Global Bioeconomy Centers which will run for 5 years with funding from …