Strategic Challenges for Sustainable Governance of the Bioeconomy: Preventing Conflict between SDGs

Abstract

The paper analyzes approaches to understanding the concept of the bioeconomy in highly cited journals, and bioeconomy strategies in associations of countries (the OECD and EU) and at the national level. Strategic challenges for sustainable bioeconomy governance are identified and an understanding of this concept is presented. The main aims, such as decoupling, the use of biotechnology, the use of sustainable biomass in the production process, and a high level of corporate social responsibility, are proposed for the identification of industries related to the bioeconomy. Specific goal achievement within the bioeconomy strategy and possible risks of conflict between SDGs are presented in the model. The bioeconomy should be considered a tool for achieving SDGs; the most relevant being 2, 3, 7, 9, 12, and 13–15. However, the achievement of bioeconomy goals can lead to a conflict between SDGs in practice. Therefore, this aspect must be taken into account at the stage of developing bioeconomy strategy and regulated in governance, to prevent conflicts between SDGs and to involve citizens and stakeholders in participating consciously in this process.

Modeling and Governance of the Country’s Energy Security: The Example of Ukraine

“…In addition, the introduction of renewable energy sources is in line with the concepts of sustainable development and reducing the negative effects of climate change. Having received target indicators in the form of 17 SDGs, it became clear that the traditional linear economic system is to be changed, and national strategies, business strategies, and tools to achieve them must be developed and implemented (Maksymiv et al, 2021), including to increase the level of energy security. While the right policies can secure access to energy during the transition period, the diffuse and decentralized nature of much of the renewable generation does increase the risk of cyberattacks, and many clean energy technologies rely on metals or minerals that are in tight supply or whose production is dominated by a limited number of nations (Energy Security, 2022).…”

Participatory budgeting as a public mechanism for diagnosing priorities of territorial communities

“…"development that meets the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" [25]. And despite its popularity, this concept remains a problem in the context of the unambiguous interpretation of politicians, business, and the scientific community [26] and should be defined through the separation of the potential of a particular territorial community in development strategies. Most Ukrainian cities (as community centers) have identified several strategic goals that are a priority for them and correlate with the Sustainable Development Goals.…”

The lure of novel biological and chemical entities in food-system transformations

“…Whether society in the future chooses a more restrictive or a more optimistic approach to the role of NEs in food system transformations, they must be considered much more explicitly in future goal setting strategies, such as a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2.0 process, compared to the fragmented consideration of chemicals in the current SDGs agenda. 15 One place to do so is in the new 2030 framework for biodiversity and associated processes under the umbrella of the Convention on Biological Diversity aimed at ensuring equitable access and sharing of benefits from genetic resources, including digital sequence information, which is expected to grow increasingly central in biotechnology activities. In order to navigate transformations toward food systems that enhance sustainability, equity, and human health, work should begin now to build scientific, political, and public capacity for the explicit consideration of NEs in designing sustainable development pathways.…”