Abstract
The bio-based economy has been increasingly recognized in the sustainability debate over the last two decades, presented as a solution to a number of ecological and social challenges. Its premises include climate change mitigation, cleaner production processes, economic growth, and new employment opportunities. Yet, a transition to a bio-based economy is hampered by risk factors and uncertainties. In this paper, we explore the concept of a bio-based economy, focusing on opportunities of achieving sustainability, as well as challenges of a transition. Departing from an understanding of sustainability provided by the weak and strong sustainability paradigms, we first outline the definition and development of the bio-based economy from a theoretical perspective. Second, we use Sweden as an example of how a transition towards a bio-based economy has been evolving in practice. The review indicates that the proposed direction and strategies of the bio-based economy are promising, but sometimes contradictory, resulting in different views on the actions needed for its premises to be realized. Additionally, current developments adhere largely to the principles of the weak sustainability paradigm. In order for the bio-based economy to develop in accordance with the notion of strong sustainability, important steps to facilitate a transition would include acknowledging and addressing the trade-offs caused by biophysical and social limits to growth.
Highlights
The time period between the late 18th century and today marks the rise and global development of industrial civilization
We present a theoretical examination of the question: does a transition to a bio-based economy provide a viable pathway to sustainability? We employ a definition of the bio-based economy as “a transition from an economy that to a large extent has been based on fossil fuels to a more resource-efficient economy based on renewable raw materials that are produced through the sustainable use of ecosystem services from land and water” [11] (p. 9)
In the strong sustainability paradigm, having its roots in ecological economics, the well-being of future generations is assumed to be dependent on sustaining the biophysical basis of the economy, and on values and attributes of human institutions that are non-marketable [14]
Summary
The time period between the late 18th century and today marks the rise and global development of industrial civilization. A major transition occurred, from a social structure mainly dependent on renewable resources, to a society dependent on fossil-based raw materials [1]. We present a theoretical examination of the question: does a transition to a bio-based economy provide a viable pathway to sustainability? We employ a definition of the bio-based economy as “a transition from an economy that to a large extent has been based on fossil fuels to a more resource-efficient economy based on renewable raw materials that are produced through the sustainable use of ecosystem services from land and water” [11] Beyond endorsing the potential or rendering the limitations of the bio-based economy, this paper raises the fundamental question of what the bio-based economy might imply for sustainability under the different definitions, and provides a basis for understanding or evaluating arguments in the debate on potential transition pathways for the future. The concluding discussion outlines some major uncertainties and questions to be addressed in order to facilitate a transition to a sustainable bio-based economy
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