Biotechnology as an ally against the climate crisis

On the occasion of World Climate Day, the urgency of finding innovative solutions to combat climate change is more pressing than ever. Climate change is already one of the main global health threats, and forecasts from the World Health Organization (WHO) warn of an additional 250,000 deaths per year in the coming decades as a result of its impacts.

Biotechnology has established itself as an essential tool in this fight, offering sustainable alternatives to reduce emissions, improve carbon capture, and develop more efficient processes in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and industry. Thanks to research and development in this field, it is now possible to move towards a greener and more resilient economic model through innovations developed by some of our partners.

The climate emergency we face requires an urgent paradigm shift in production and consumption systems. Circular bioeconomy and biotechnology play an essential role in driving the development of innovative solutions in areas such as energy and materials. Begoña Ruiz, Director of Technologies at AINIA, a technology center with over 30 years of experience in boosting business competitiveness through innovation, highlights that biotechnology “is key to optimizing bioenergy and biofuel production processes through pretreatments and operational strategies that improve efficiency, as well as in post-treatment phases to enhance the quality and value of products such as fertilizers and biofuels.”

Through tools such as bioaugmentation, directed evolution, bioelectrochemical processes, and genetic engineering, it is possible to significantly increase process efficiency, product value, and the utilization of complex by-products that would otherwise be discarded. “An example of the application of this technology is the UPBIOMET+ project, where we have worked on bioelectrochemical processes to increase methane productivity, with promising results,” she adds.

Recycling and Valorization of Materials

Recycling materials, especially those with high costs or environmental impacts, is an urgent necessity. We are facing a plastic crisis, with over 220 million tons generated in 2024, nearly 70 million of which ended up in nature, causing significant environmental damage.

AINIA has developed several technologies that give plastic a second life, transforming waste into valuable chemicals and materials. One example is the REVALORIZA project, which focuses on the valorization of post-consumer biodegradable plastic packaging, such as PLA or PHAs, through chemical recycling or depolymerization. “As a result, we have obtained compounds that can be used as building blocks for developing new bio-based polymers and other high-value-added products such as chemicals, packaging, coatings, and adhesives for the packaging sector,” explains Ruiz. She also emphasizes that these processes reduce the need for new plastics and inputs while lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with virgin material production.

Biotechnology and Food Industry By-Product Valorization

At NATAC, a leading business group in sustainable plant extract production, biotechnology plays a key role in transforming food industry by-products into high-value functional ingredients. Through innovative extraction and purification technologies, they recover bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which have applications in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and animal nutrition, as explained by Esther de la Fuente, CSO of NATAC.

All of this is carried out under a biorefinery and circular economy model, ensuring maximum resource utilization and reducing environmental impact. In response to climate challenges, NATAC promotes initiatives such as the valorization of agro-industrial biomass, efficient solvent and energy use, and the development of natural products that replace synthetic compounds. Additionally, they participate in sustainable innovation projects such as SUSTAINEXT, which focuses on optimizing industrial processes with a lower environmental footprint.

Microalgae as a Foundation for a More Sustainable Agricultural Sector

In less than 200 years, human activity has increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels by 50%, making it one of the primary drivers of global warming. Microalgae play a crucial role in climate change mitigation due to their ability to capture CO₂ from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.

According to Biorizon Biotech, a biotechnology company specializing in microalgae-based solutions for agriculture, microalgae production acts as a significant CO₂ sink, with each ton of microalgae produced capable of fixing up to two tons of CO₂. “The agricultural sector is undergoing a major transition toward more sustainable practices, and the use of microalgae-based biostimulants and biopesticides is a clear example of how biotechnology can be a key ally in this process,” says Joaquín Pozo Dengra, R&D Director at Biorizon Biotech.

The company has been a global pioneer in this field, developing innovative bio-stimulants and biopesticides derived from microalgae, with proven effectiveness in various crops. By integrating these advances into agricultural production, they are driving a transition toward more sustainable systems, reducing environmental footprints, and improving farmers’ profitability without compromising the efficiency of conventional treatments.

Towards a More Sustainable Agricultural Model: Precision Agriculture and NGTs

Global food systems are under immense pressure due to challenges such as climate change and population growth (projections estimate around 10 billion people on Earth by 2050). Water is a scarce resource, and both climate change and rising demand have intensified the need for sustainable use, particularly in food production. This challenge has been met with significant solutions through new gene-editing techniques and precision agriculture.

On March 14, the representatives of EU member states endorsed the Council's negotiation mandate on the regulation of plants obtained through new genomic techniques (NGTs) and derived food and feed. The proposal aims to boost innovation and sustainability in the agri-food sector, contribute to food security, and reduce external dependencies. AseBio welcomes this step and hopes it will advance and facilitate the approval of NGT-derived products.

“The industry sees this as a crucial step for Europe to incorporate this technology into the development of plant varieties that enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of European agriculture. However, we are concerned about amendments that lack scientific basis and deviate from the Commission’s original proposal,” states Jordi Arnalte, Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability Iberian at Bayer Crop Science.

“We trust that European negotiators will consult with experts and scientists to reach agreements that provide European researchers and plant breeders with a proportionate regulatory framework designed to keep pace with scientific and technological progress,” he adds.

Digital solutions applied to agriculture enable precision farming that optimizes key aspects such as pest detection and the targeted application of pesticides, nitrogen level monitoring to improve fertilizer use, and harvest planning. Arnalte highlights that “digitalization is already transforming agriculture to address the challenge of producing more with less.”

Arnalte also emphasizes that plant biotechnology has great potential to help agriculture adapt to and mitigate climate change while meeting the needs of a growing global population. “Our research in seeds and traits covers herbicide tolerance, resistance to insects and diseases, as well as crop efficiency and quality. Plant biotechnology plays a key role in advancing regenerative agricultural practices, including both increased agricultural productivity and environmental benefits, such as reducing pesticide use and adopting zero or minimal tillage—thus contributing to Bayer’s sustainability commitments.”