BIOE3 – ENVIROENMENT

BIOE3 – ENVIROENMENT

News: The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister approved the proposal ‘BioE3(Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing’ of the Department of Biotechnology.

 

What’s in the news?

BioE3 policy

  • BioE3 represents a strategic initiative to propel India towards a sustainable and prosperous future. By harnessing the power of biotechnology and leveraging its unique resources, India is well-positioned to become a global leader in the bioeconomy.
  • The BioE3 Policy primarily concentrates on the following strategic sectors:
      • High-value bio-based chemicals,
      • Biopolymers & enzymes;
      • Smart proteins & functional foods;
      • Precision biotherapeutics;
      • Climate-resilient agriculture;
      • Carbon capture & its utilization;
      • Marine and space research.

Key Factors Driving BioE3

  • Biotechnological Innovations: The advent of modern genetics, pharmaceuticals and crops is changing all age-old techniques.
      • These advances are improving productivity, reducing consumption of resources and creating new economic possibilities.
  • Government Support: There are various policies and initiatives including Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) that grant funds to start-ups and research institutions.
      • The encouragement by the government is pivotal in building an environment suitable for growth & innovation.
  • Biodiversity: Since India has rich biodiversity, it provides a unique advantage.
      • The country is rich in biological resources and has a large number of plants, animals that may be useful for many purposes like human food medicine etc.
  • Skilled Workforce: A large pool of talented scientists and researchers drives the bioeconomy forward.
      • India’s education system, with its emphasis on STEM fields, ensures a steady supply of skilled professionals.

Significance of the policy:

  • The salient features of BioE3 policy include innovation-driven support to R&D and entrepreneurship across thematic sectors.
  • This will accelerate technology development and commercialization by establishing Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs and Biofoundry.
  • Along with prioritizing regenerative bioeconomy models of green growth, this policy will facilitate expansion of India’s skilled workforce and provide a surge in job creation.
  • Policy will further strengthen Government’s initiatives such as ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy & ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ and will steer India on the path of accelerated ‘Green Growth’ by promoting ‘Circular Bioeconomy’.
  • The BioE3 Policy will foster and advance future that is more sustainable, innovative, and responsive to global challenges and lays down the Bio-vision for Viksit Bharat.

Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)

  • It is an India-led global mass movement to nudge individual and community action to protect and preserve the environment.
  • It was launched by the Indian Prime Minister at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021.
  • LiFE envisions replacing the prevalent ‘use-and-dispose’ economy—governed by mindless and destructive consumption—with a circular economy, which would be defined by mindful and deliberate utilization.
  • The Mission intends to nudge individuals to undertake simple acts in their daily lives that can contribute significantly to climate change when embraced across the world.
  • LiFE plans to leverage the strength of social networks to influence social norms surrounding climate. The Mission plans to create and nurture a global network of individuals, namely ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3), who will have a shared commitment to adopt and promote environmentally friendly lifestyles.
  • Through the P3 community, the Mission seeks to create an ecosystem that will reinforce and enable environmentally friendly behaviours to be self-sustainable.

 Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2048873