Bologna, yours is a mission for the climate.

Bologna, yours is a mission for the climate.

The CAAB wins second place in the ranking of investment projects on the agri-food markets in Italy. 

The decree from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, which approves the ranking for access to subsidies for the development of agri-food logistics of agri-food markets, brings good news for the CAAB. The ranking, in fact, attributed second place in the ranking to the Agro-Food Center of Bologna, which has been awarded 10 million euros, non-refundable, for strategic investments in infrastructure, sustainability and digitalisation. Access to the benefits is foreseen as part of investment 2.1 "Logistics development for the agri-food, fishing and aquaculture, forestry, floriculture and nursery sectors", part of Component 1, "Sustainable agriculture and circular economy", of the second mission of the Pnrr, “Green revolution and ecological transition”. In fact, the resources will be allocated to projects that concern both the logistics infrastructure and the green and digital transition of the Centre.

“An important investment, 10 million euros non-repayable – underlines the mayor Matteo Lepore -, which will allow us to have a photovoltaic park and a bio gas park, which joins the one presented with Hera last week, is part of our contribution to Mission 30 on the climate, to reduce emissions. Our most important investment is the tram, if we think that the tram Red Line will reduce carbon dioxide by 50 thousand tons”.

“At the same time – explains President Marcatili – Caab will get closer to the city, also thanks to the city logistics systems that we intend to implement. We want to make the CAAB even more attractive, arousing the interest of new operators and promoting collaborative logic. We increasingly intend to position ourselves as partners of our operators, working on common objectives. We are involved in a great challenge, that of enhancing the nature of Caab as a crucial agri-food hub, with a view to developing greater attractiveness towards operators in the sector and multiplying opportunities for operators already active, also through the digital tool, and implementing latest generation green solutions, which guarantee the full sustainability of our activities. The assignment of these resources makes us even more responsible towards the objectives we have set ourselves, which have to do with Caab's structure and its core business, but also with the production of renewable energy and energy efficiency , areas that respond to Caab's commitment to taking on a strong orientation towards sustainability".

A further step, after the two Hera projects presented last Friday in the Municipality, which will contribute to the objective of climate neutrality by 2030 that the Municipal Administration of Bologna has taken towards the city by signing the 'Climate City Contract', in area of ​​Bologna Missione Clima, together with other local partners including Caab itself.

The interventions will be carried out over the next two years and will have a central role in the CAAB's 2023-2026 strategic plan, which looks at the development of closer relationships with the territory, also through proximity initiatives, such as the direct management of Bologna's local markets , but also to strengthen services on ethical logistics, sustainable energy and international advisory.
Various interventions are planned, the costs of which will be covered by Pnrr resources. The construction of a biogas plant and a new photovoltaic system is envisaged which will lead to full energy autonomy of the market structure and the establishment of the first energy community with operators.
This will lead to a reduction in energy costs and impacts due to waste management, which will be converted into energy, compost and bioplastic. Always with a view to sustainability, measures will be taken to reduce food waste. In particular, through the insulation of the loading shed, the fresh food chain will be improved through new systems and the implementation of more efficient structures. The refrigeration engines will be powered by solar energy. It is then intended to carry out an accurate analysis of the entire supply chain controlled by the CAAB, to identify the weak points and potential areas for improvement, so as to reduce the number of transports and increase their efficiency.
Interventions will then be carried out aimed at modifying the internal roads of the Centre, improving accessibility and strengthening infrastructural safety. The infrastructure will also be affected by renovations aimed at making the commercial capacity of the center more efficient. Road routes to access the market will be reduced and the traceability of goods will be improved. The market will open up to new product types and new opportunities, such as the fish market.

Among the creations that will take shape starting from the Pnrr funds, digital projects must be considered, which do not stop at updating software systems. A digital platform will be created that functions as a marketplace and hub for the logistics services offered by the CAAB, so as to provide a new tool to the companies that operate here, increasing the efficiency and extension of services.