Degraded/marginal Lands: Do they offer a way to diversify our resources for biofuels and reduce our dependence on imports? – Portayal of relevant studies and discussion

Niels Dögnitz
Nachhaltigkeit
15/04/2026 14:00-16:00
A link will be sent via email

DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH

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How can the EU diversify its resources for biofuels while reducing its dependence on imports? One possible answer lies in the use of degraded and marginal lands. In this online talk international experts will share their experiences and findings to highlight the opportunities and challenges of using degraded/marginal lands for biofuels.

The main objective of the workshop is to bring together relevant scientific authors working on marginal and degraded land, in order to discuss:

  • current scientific perspectives and assessment approaches,
  • the latest publications and data,
  • estimates of the size and potential of marginal and degraded land,
  • and the differing definitions used across disciplines and studies.

In addition, we aim to explore policy implications regarding marginal/degraded lands, and to extend this discussion to other potential feedstocks (e.g. agroforestry systems) and the interconnection of future biomass damends of various bioeconomy sectors.

Agenda

Time

Program Points

14:00

Opening & Welcome

The role of non-food crops from degraded/marginal lands in the transport sector and other parts of the bioeconomy

Karl-Friedrich Cyffka | DBFZ

14:15

 

Midas marginal land mapping results

Berien Elbersen | Wageningen University & Research

14:30

 

Camelina oil for sustainable aviation fuel production: A scenario assessment for recovering European degraded soils

Maria Giovanna Sessa | EU DisinfoLab (tbc)

14:40

 

Certification criteria for degraded and marginal lands

Katharina Heidrich | ISCC

14:55

 

A spatial approach to assessing land degradation in agricultural areas: Development of a high-resolution global data product

Dr. Fabian Sittaro | DBFZ

15:10 

Discussion Round on Further Relevant Aspects

15:55

Conclusion and Farewell

The talk will be held in English.

It will take place in the framework of the InnoFuels project (https://www.innofuels.de/). The InnoFuels project aims to accelerate the large-scale development and deployment of electricity-based and advanced biofuels by networking research, industry, and policy stakeholders, fostering knowledge exchange, and shaping supportive frameworks and conditions for their production and use.