Abstract
The smart and sustainable bioeconomy represents a comprehensive perspective, in which economic, social, environmental, and technological dimensions are considered simultaneously in the planning, monitoring, evaluating, and redefining of processes and operations. In this context of profound transformation driven by rapid urbanization and digitalization, participatory and interactive strategies and practices have become fundamental to support policymakers, entrepreneurs, and citizens in the transition towards a smart and sustainable bioeconomy. This approach is applied by numerous countries around the world in order to redefine their strategy of sustainable and technology-assisted development. Specifically, real-time monitoring stations, sensors, Internet of Things (IoT), smart grids, GPS tracking systems, and Blockchain aim to develop and strengthen the quality and efficiency of the circularity of economic, social, and environmental resources. In this sense, this study proposes a systematic review of the literature of smart and sustainable bioeconomy strategies and practices implemented worldwide in order to develop a platform capable of integrating holistically the following phases: (1) planning and stakeholder management; (2) identification of social, economic, environmental, and technological dimensions; and (3) goals. The results of this analysis emphasise an innovative and under-treated perspective, further stimulating knowledge in the theoretical and managerial debate on the smart and sustainable aspects of the bioeconomy, which mainly concern the following: (a) the proactive involvement of stakeholders in planning; (b) the improvement of efficiency and quality of economic, social, environmental, and technological flows; and (c) the reinforcement of the integration between smartness and sustainability.
Highlights
The initiatives identified and analysed support the observations of [99] on the smart and sustainable bioeconomy, where they emphasise the contribution of biotechnology, omics technologies, nanotechnology, precision mechanics, blockchain, and smart grids
The importance of smart and sustainable bioeconomy is demonstrated by the numerous strategies and practices implemented by countries, such as Austria, Costa Rica, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Malaysia, South Africa, Thailand, and so on
The bioeconomy enabled by sensors, real-time monitoring stations, tracking systems, Internet of Things, smart grids, precision mechanics, automation, etc., have the potential to improve the circularity of dimensions, such as waste, water and wastewater, energy, land, biodiversity, economy, health, safety, education, and agriculture
Summary
Current rates of urbanization and industrialization generate a wide range of issues that affect bioeconomy, such as waste recycling [1,2], energy conservation [3], water dissipation [4], traffic congestion [5], social disparities [6], healthcare emergencies [7], loss of biodiversity [8], land utilization difficulties [9], atmospheric and acoustic pollution [10], infrastructure and facilities obsolescence [11,12], food valorisation [13], forest management [14], safety and cyber-security [15,16], sustainable economic development [17], and so on. According to the summit [23], the term smart and sustainable bioeconomy used in this article refers to a centre of “production, utilization, conservation and transformation of biological resources which—through digital technologies—aim to provide real time and continuous data and information that contribute to improve the circularity and efficiency of waste, water, energy, agriculture, health, education, mobility, telecommunications, and governance.” bioeconomy strategies and practices are at the centre of several international frameworks, such as the report on “challenges, visions and ways forward of the cities of the future” implemented by [24], the study on “new perspectives on urbanization of cities in the world” [25], and the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development [26]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
