Development of the Circular Bioeconomy: Drivers and Indicators

Abstract

The EU’s 2018 Bioeconomy Strategy Update and the European Green Deal recently confirmed that the bioeconomy is high on the political agenda in Europe. Here, we propose a conceptual analysis framework for quantifying and analyzing the development of the EU bioeconomy. The bioeconomy has several related concepts (e.g., bio-based economy, green economy, and circular economy) and there are clear synergies between these concepts, especially between the bioeconomy and circular economy concepts. Analyzing the driving factors provides important information for monitoring activities. We first derive the scope of the bioeconomy framework in terms of bioeconomy sectors and products to be involved, the needed geographical coverage and resolution, and time period. Furthermore, we outline a set of indicators linked to the objectives of the EU’s bioeconomy strategy. In our framework, measuring developments will, in particular, focus on the bio-based sectors within the bioeconomy as biomass and food production is already monitored. The selected indicators commit to the EU Bioeconomy Strategy objectives and conform with findings from previous studies and stakeholder consultation. Additionally, several new indicators have been suggested and they are related to measuring the impact of changes in supply, demand drivers, resource availability, and policies on sustainability goals.

Comparing Bioeconomy Potential at National vs. Regional Level Employing Input-Output Modeling

“…This study analyzed most of the bioeconomy sectors studied to date. Nevertheless, it is important to note that recently published work expands the number of sectors included as bioeconomy sectors [59].…”

Circular Bioeconomy Concepts—A Perspective

“…(Bio)circularity metrics are important for assessing the effects of a circular (bio)economy in terms of profitability, job creation, and environmental impacts. Circularity should also include some environmental and sustainability elements, including some life cycle environmental impact categories and new socioeconomic indicators (D'Adamo et al, 2020;Kardung et al, 2021). The metrics should help identify which (bio)circular attributes and options are better than others.…”

Case studies research in the bioeconomy: A systematic literature review

“…For the bioeconomy, several studies (Sheppard et al 2011;Talavyria et al 2015;Wesseler and von Braun 2017) have identified the main forces driving the development of the bioeconomy and related phenomena. Kardung et al (2021) summarized these forces by grouping them as supply drivers (technology and innovation, markets, and climate change adaption), demand drivers (consumer preferences, economic development, and demography), resource availability, and government measures. Researchers should not disregard detailed descriptions of context to ensure the robustness and generalizability of their findings.…”

“…The bioeconomy is a main alternative to fossil materials to address these challenges (European Commission 2018). Several national strategies and policies for bioeconomic development worldwide confirm its key role (Staffas et al 2013;Kardung et al 2021). Increasingly transformative policy initiatives, such as the European Green Deal or the target of net-zero emissions in the European Union (EU) by 2050 (European Commission 2019), require intense efforts and coordination to exploit the bioeconomy and available synergies in all sectors and policy areas.Given the contemporary, context-dependent nature of related phenomena, the scientific case study research method plays a crucial role in developing the bioeconomy.…”