Biodiversity is the true driving force of a sustainable, circular bioeconomy (CBE). While the CBE needs advanced technology and innovation to succeed, biodiversity determines the capacity of biological systems to adapt and evolve. For this reason, biodiversity considerations need to be reflected in economic practices and valuation. CircHive will measure and integrate the value of nature into public and business decision making by: 1) improving data availability, accessibility, and harmonisation; 2) developing a standardised method for biodiversity footprinting (BF) and integrating it with natural capital accounting (NCA); 3) mainstreaming the use of BF and NCA in public and private decision making, incl. improving disclosure, risk management, and investment practice; 4) testing and improving the developed methods and models; and 5) building a wider community ‘BEEHive’ for peer support and exploitation of results. A strong emphasis is put developing scientifically robust and standardised methods that bridge BF (life cycle analyses) and NCA (bookkeeping), given their multiple overlaps but also divergences that hinder operationalisation and uptake. An equally strong emphasis is placed on practice-testing to understand current practices and opportunities for further mainstreaming of biodiversity and natural capital into disclosure, ecolabelling, and investment decisions. Transitioning theory to practice is put to the test via a case study network who will apply different biodiversity-centric approaches in real life. This is carried out in sectoral case study hubs (industry, retailers, investors, cities) for peer learning and capacity building. In CircHive’s approach, CBE and biodiversity reinforce each other as a basis for resources and inspiration for sustainable business practices. The integration of the value of nature into public and business decisions, will benefit both the protection of ecosystems and their services and the profitability of sustainable businesses.

HYDROUSA will provide innovative, regenerative and circular solutions for (1) nature-based water management of Mediterranean coastal areas, closing water loops; (2) nutrient management, boosting the agricultural and energy profile; and (3) local economies, based on circular value chains. The services provided lead to a win-win-win situation for the economy, environment and community within the water-energy-food-employment nexus. HYDROUSA water loops will include water from non-conventional sources including wastewater, rainwater, seawater, groundwater and vapour water, all resulting in recovered and marketable products. HYDROUSA will demonstrate at large scale the feasibility and sustainability of innovative, low-cost water treatment technologies to recover freshwater, nutrients and energy from wastewater, salt and freshwater from seawater, and freshwater from atmospheric water vapour. Water conservation solutions including aquifer storage and sustainable agricultural practices including fertigation will be applied. The solutions will be demonstrated on 3 major touristic islands in Greece. Detailed technical and financial deployment plans will be established for replication in additional 25 locations worldwide. Through the on-site water loops of HYDROUSA, complex supply chains for resource recovery are not required, as producers are directly involved as consumers of derived products. HYDROUSA will combine traditional skilled workmanship with modern ICT integration in beautiful and smart automation systems. HYDROUSA will revolutionise water value chains in Mediterranean areas and beyond, from water abstraction to sewage treatment and reuse. The proposed HYDROUSA solutions show massive potential to change the way humans interact with water, food and energy.