A Path Transition Towards a Bioeconomy—The Crucial Role of Sustainability

Erik Gawel,Nadine Pannicke,Nina Hagemann

doi:10.3390/su11113005

Erik Gawel, Nadine Pannicke + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su11113005

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Abstract

The bioeconomy is a worldwide used strategy to cope with ecological, social, and economic sustainability challenges. However, we analyze current bioeconomy strategies and trends to point out potential sustainability conflicts and transition challenges. Our analysis shows that the bioeconomy is not sustainable per se, as mere input substitution may entail welfare losses. Instead, it requires further debates and actions to avoid exacerbation of ecological and social strains. Sustainability has to be the key concept behind the bioeconomy and predominantly requires (1) sustainability of the resource base and (2) sustainability of processes and products, especially by (3) circular processes of material fluxes, not least to gain consumer acceptance for bio-based products. Otherwise, the bioeconomy would only entail the substitution of fossil resources for bio-based resources potentially lacking the generation of additional societal and ecological benefits and contribution to climate mitigation. As markets alone will not suffice to fulfil this path transition towards a sustainable bioeconomy, we argue that innovative governance is necessary to reduce competitive drawbacks compared to fossil resources (enabling function) and to secure ecological, social, and economic sustainability requirements (limiting function).

Highlights

The global economy has to feed an increasing world population with a simultaneous rise of the living standard, but is restricted by planetary boundaries [1]
As markets alone will not suffice to fulfil this path transition towards a sustainable bioeconomy, we argue that innovative governance is necessary to reduce competitive drawbacks compared to fossil resources and to secure ecological, social, and economic sustainability requirements
We focus on the wood-based bioeconomy as an example to enhance clarity and comprehensibility and because it is seen as ecologically and socially advantageous over the crop-based bioeconomy

Summary

Introduction

The global economy has to feed an increasing world population with a simultaneous rise of the living standard, but is restricted by planetary boundaries [1]. Ramcilovic-Suominen and Pülzl [45] find that the European bioeconomy policy has an “industrial perspective” that neglects especially the role of farmers and they criticize that, for example, the EUs “Innovating for Sustainable Growth: a Bioeconomy for Europe” [2] lost the focus on sustainable resource management and instead focuses on improving the productivity of biomass production The latter understanding tends to be accompanied by an industrial policy-centred vision, which emphasises the bioeconomy’s contribution to an innovative, competitive, and growing economy, but fails to comprehensively address concerns about the sustainability of developments. Sustainability conflicts (Section 3) and transition challenges (Section 4) need to be carefully thought out

Sustainability Conflicts of the Wood-Based Bioeconomy

Transition Challenges

Key Messages and Recommendations