The Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Mark Walport, and Defra Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Boyd, have visited organisations in York to investigate the opportunities for waste in the bioeconomy.

The bioeconomy includes all economic activity derived from bio-based products and processes such as the production of crops or the manufacture of the latest bio-based medical therapies. It includes biorefining which is comparable to today’s petroleum refining that produces multiple fuels and products from petroleum.

The chief scientists visited the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC) research and development facilities in York to meet clients, including local company, Wilson Bio-Chemical, who are working with the BDC to scale-up their technology for turning household waste into biofuels and high-value products chemicals. They also met with GSK and Veolia to discuss their research collaboration to use food by-products in antibiotic production.

Commenting on the visit Sir Mark Walport said:

Changing our approach to waste can yield considerable economic, environmental and social benefits and science and technology has a role to play.

It is great to see first-hand how the chemistry and biology science base at the University of York is working with industry to solve some of the major challenges they face. Organisations like the BDC and their partners who are doing pioneering work to turn municipal waste into reusable products such as biofuels and chemicals will help make UK businesses more sustainable and more competitive.

The visit is ahead of a report by the chief scientists which will examine how the UK can produce less waste and use our resources more productively. The purpose of the visit was to explore innovative technologies and collaborations that exploit waste as a resource.

Senior civil servants from across Whitehall attended an event at the Royal Society to launch a new strategy for government scientists and engineers.

The strategy sets out what the GSE profession wants to achieve over the next 5 years. It supports the vision of securing science and engineering at the heart of government decision making, by building pride in the GSE profession, raising its profile, and encouraging fresh talent into it.

This new document draws together ideas from hundreds of civil servants who work in government science and engineering across the UK. It commits to change in areas such as reward and recognition, chartership and accreditation, and flexible career paths.

The GSE strategy will be delivered by Sir Mark Walport, Head of Profession, working closely with the GSE profession board.

Its launch signals the start of a work programme that will transform the GSE profession.

Sir Mark said:

In 5 years, I would like the GSE profession to emerge having exceeded all of the expectations in the strategy, with a stronger identity, with a rich portfolio of successes demonstrating the impact of our work and the value we bring in government – proud of who we are and what we do.

Sir Jeremy Heywood, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service said:

I am particularly pleased to see the pledge to become an exemplar for the Civil Service talent action plan. Diversity and inclusion is a top priority for the leadership of the Civil Service and this is a strong reminder that the professions can and must lead in delivering strategic priorities for the Civil Service as a whole.

Chris Wormald, Head of the Policy Profession, said:

This strategy provides particular emphasis on policy professionals and scientists and engineers understanding each other’s worlds. I welcome this strategy which will drive effective partnerships and deliver a better service for government.

To find out more about the strategy, read Sir Mark Walport’s introductory blog post.

You can read the full GSE strategy on the Government Science and Engineering website.

To register to become a member of the GSE profession, fill out this short survey.