For the purpose of Croatian abandoned agricultural areas revitalization, experts from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb (Prof. Neven Voća, Ph.D., Assist. Prof. Nikola Bilandžija, PhD, Luka Cerovečki, Mag. Ing. Agr., And Prof. Tajana Krička, Ph.D.) have analysed current state and identified the possibilities of introducing miscanthus to these areas. They concluded that biomass production can have a direct impact on reducing fossil energy and fuel imports, encouraging energy independence and reducing the negative impact on the environment and climate change. In addition, the use of biomass enables the creation of new and saving the existing jobs in rural areas, increases the local and regional economic activities, and generates additional incomes in agricultural production.
Coal is the most carbon intensive fossil fuel and phasing it out is a key step to achieve the emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. Most emissions from coal are in the electricity sector and, as we already have the technologies that can replace coal, phase out is a relatively cheap and easy option to reduce emissions. Our research shows coal needs to be phased out globally by 2040 to meet the commitments made in Paris.
On October 11, 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia and the World Bank began joint implementation of the project “Agriculture and Fisheries Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia 2020”. As part of the project, they recently published a presentation of the Strategic Vision for the Development of the Republic of Croatia after 2020, with a particular focus on the energy crops sub-sector. This presentation gives an insight into the possibilities and benefits of growing energy crops. As the Law on Short Rotation Crops, of all potential energy crops of agricultural origin, so far allows only perennial grass Miscanthus x giganteus , the analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats is adapted to its cultivation.
Commission must ensure all proposals are aligned with 1.5 °C target, and EU should cut emissions by 55% by 2030 to become climate neutral by 2050 with a particular call to reduce global emissions from shipping and aviation.
The European Union is to stop funding oil, gas and coal projects at the end of 2021, cutting €2bn (£1.7bn) of yearly investments.
An EU initiative has successfully tested the usability of miscanthus for biofuel production. The technology used could help realise the full potential of this promising energy crop.