Conference: Bioeconomy – creativity and sustainability for all

Alongside keynote presentations and panel discussions, an expo area showcased examples of innovative production in the Baltic and Nordic regions.

Programme

9:00 Registration, coffee/tea

9:30 Welcome address

• Welcome address by Mr Rene Tammist, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology
• Why do we need creativity and sustainability in bioeconomy? by Dr Kaja Peterson – SEI Tallinn

10:00 Keynote speech 1: Innovation and sustainability – an updated EU Bioeconomy strategy

This session will be followed by a Q&A.

• Joachim Kreysa, Bioeconomy Advisor, JRC/European Commission

10:30 Keynote speech 2: Value chains and innovative business models for the Estonian bioeconomy

• Dr Evelin Loit, University of Life Sciences, Member of the RITA bioeconomy project team

11:00 Panel discussion: Bioeconomy technologies and innovation (in English)

• Ms Eva Nordberg Karlsson, Lund University
• Mr Mart Mere, EstAgar
• Mr Erlend Sild, Estonian Insect Industry Association
• Mr Petri-Jaan Lahtvee, University of Tartu
• Moderated by Mr Madis Tilga, Norden

12:00 Lunch and exhibition

• Lunch (vegetarian buffet)
• Exhibition/poster session in the lobby

13:30 Panel discussion: Smart Consumers – who and why?

• Ms Katrin Pärgmäe, Estonian Development Co-operation Roudtable (AKÜ)
• Ms Helen Arusoo, Organic Estonia
• Ms Katrin Bats, Rimi Foods AS
• Ms Kai Klein, Baltic Environmental Forum Estonia
• Moderated by Ms Irje Möldre, Estonian Private Forest Centre

14:15 Keynote speech 3: Sustainability criteria for bioeconomy, climate resilient bioeconomy

• Dr Kaja Peterson, SEI Tallinn, Interreg RDI2CluB project on bioeconomy clusters and innovation ecosystems

This session will be followed by a panel discussion with Dr Francis X. Johnson, Dr Ivar Virgin and Dr Matthiew Fielding (SEI)

15:00 Panel discussion of political parties: Policy coherence and  policy relevant innovation for sustainable bioeconomy (live stream can be seen at Postimees.ee)

• Reform Party: MP Kalle Palling
• Central Party: MP Erki Savisaar
• Free Party: Chariman Kaur Nurm
• Green Party: Chairman Züleyxa Izmailova
• Pro Patria – Siim-Valmar Kiisler, Minister of the Environment
• Social Democratic Party: representative TBC
• Estonia 200: Mr Jaak Laineste
• Biodiversity Party: Mr Mihkel Kangur
• Moderated by Kristo Elias, Estonian National Broadcasting journalist

16:15 Take-away messages

16:30 Programme ends

About the conference

This conference was organized by SEI (via the interreg RDI2CluB project) in cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Tallinn, the Bioeconomy Centre of the University of Life Sciences, and the Estonian Private Forest Center.

We asked politicians, entrepreneurs and the academia about the biggest challenges and opportunities in bioeconomy