Abstract
The development of the bioeconomy—or the substitution of fossil-based materials and energy by bio-based solutions—is considered a strategic economic orientation by the European Commission and its Green Deal. This paper presents a methodology to monitor the contribution of the bioeconomy to jobs and growth within the European Union (EU) and its Member States. Classified as an ‘‘output-based’’ approach, the methodology relies on expert estimations of the biomass content of the bio-based materials produced in the EU and the subsequent calculation of ‘‘sectoral’’ bio-based shares by using Eurostat statistics on the production of manufactured goods (prom). Sectoral shares are applied to indicators of employment, and value added is reported in Eurostat–Structural business statistics. This paper updates the methodology and time series presented in 2018. The bioeconomy of the EU (post-Brexit composition) employed around 17.5 million people and generated €614 billion of value added in 2017. The study evidences structural differences between EU national bioeconomies, which become more pronounced over time, especially in terms of the level of apparent labour productivity of national bioeconomies. Finally, this paper describes cases of transition over the 2008–2017 period.
Highlights
The bioeconomy consists of producing and transforming biomass for the provision of food, feed, materials, energy, and related services to European citizens
Estimating “bio-based shares” for sectors which only partially belong to the bioeconomy, as reported in the NACE classification: the manufacture of textiles (C13), wearing apparel (C14), leather (C15), wood products (C16), furniture (C31), chemicals (C20), pharmaceuticals (C21), plastics and rubber (C22), and the production of electricity (D3511)
The updated estimates regarding employment and value added of the bioeconomy in the European Union (EU) depict positive developments
Summary
The bioeconomy consists of producing and transforming biomass for the provision of food, feed, materials, energy, and related services to European citizens. As stated in the two consecutive bioeconomy strategies of the European Union (EU) [1,2], the substitution of fossil-based materials and energy by bio-based solutions is considered a strategic economic orientation by the European Commission, as it could potentially lessen environmental pressures while strengthening green innovation, markets, and jobs in the EU. A circular bioeconomy constitutes a non-negligible piece in the architecture of the Green Deal launched by the President of the European Commission at the end of 2019 [3]. In support of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission hosts the Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy [7] that is responsible for the preparation of a monitoring system for the bioeconomy [8]. The Knowledge Centre channels knowledge and scientific evidence among researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders with the aim of enhancing the knowledge base for policymaking
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