The two newly-established Technical Advisory Groups on Ecosystem services and Circular bioeconomy approaches will meet for the first time on 18 and 19 April to inaugurate the FAO LEAP technical work programme 2023. Over a two-day meeting, selected experts and researchers will discuss principles and challenges to assess ecosystem services and circular bioeconomy approaches in livestock systems and define the timeline, responsibilities, and ideas for the development of two new internationally harmonized guidelines on those two important topics.

Circular bioeconomy approaches

With an increasing global population and food demand, the livestock sector is vital in supporting food and nutrition security worldwide. By promoting more efficient use of materials and energy through the reuse and recycling of waste and residues, circular bioeconomy aims to reduce the consumption of resources and make livestock production more efficient. While many studies map possible recovery options for livestock residues, waste streams from agri-food industries, and manure, harmonized methodologies to assess the potential of the livestock sector to contribute to circular bioeconomy approaches are still missing.

Ecosystem services

Livestock farming systems contribute to the maintenance of most rural landscapes and household economics, but the services they provide to society are often overlooked and rarely quantified. Even though a few studies have illustrated comprehensive lists of ecosystem services, most of the Life Cycle Assessment’s indicators are not operational. The FAO LEAP Partnership aims to develop technical guidelines for mapping and evaluating activities in the ecosystem services at different scales based on objectives, common principles, definitions, classifications, accounting rules, and impact assessment procedures.

Meeting concept note and agenda: https://www.fao.org/3/cc5321en/cc5321en.pdf

Learn more

• Members of the TAG on ecosystem services
• Leaders of the TAG on ecosystem services
• Members of the TAG on circular bioeconomy approaches
• Leaders of the TAG on circular bioeconomy approaches