Bioeconomy Council at the opening of the Night of Innovations at the Hanover Fair

This year, as always, the Night of Innovations at Hannover Messe will open on Monday evening with the theme "Circular Cities - Technologies for Sustainable Cities". In addition to Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger and other personalities from the fields of circular economy and urban development, the co-chair of the Bioeconomy Council, Prof. Daniela Thrän, will speak.

Cities are the economic and social engines of our world. Today, over 50% of the world's population lives in cities, and this figure is expected to rise to 70% by 2050. Urban areas are responsible for 80% of CO2 emissions, 50% of waste and two-thirds of energy consumption worldwide. To slow down climate change, it is therefore necessary to make existing urban structures more sustainable, to create so-called "circular cities." What framework conditions are needed in cities, municipalities and regions to create sustainable incentives? How can (bio)technological innovations help to develop cities in the direction of sustainability?

These questions will be addressed by participants Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Research, Prof. Dr. Daniela Thrän, Co-Chair of the Bioeconomy Council of the Federal Government Dr. Gunther Kegel, President of ZVEI e.V., Prof. Dr. Raimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Prof. Dr. Joachim Schachtner, Clausthal University of Technology and Björn Thümler, Lower Saxony Minister of Science and Culture.

According to Prof. Dr. Daniela Thrän, "In cities, too, it's all about resource availability - for Circular Cities, the key is to manage material flows well and establish value creation networks." This works, for example, through the biotechnological processing of residual materials." There are already many innovations from the bioeconomy that set a good example for the circular economy in cities. The cross-departmental and cross-sectoral work of the ministries is helping to advance the bioeconomy in urban areas. Going forward, research and development would need to be supported and barriers such as residual regulations reduced."

The Night of Innovations will open on Monday, May 30, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in Hall 2, A60; Tech Transfer Conference Stage.