The Emerging Bio-Economy in Europe: Exploring the Key Governance Challenges

Abstract

Abstract:The purpose of this paper is to identify, analyse and discuss the key governance challenges for the emerging Knowledge-Based Bio-Economy (KBBE) in Europe focusing on bioenergy, particularly biofuels for transport and the biorefinery concept. This paper is based on a literature review, discussions with European researchers and practitioners, and questionnaires of bioenergy industry associations. The growing bio-economy and bioenergy in Europe face a host of socio-technical issues that comprise a mix of technological, economic, social, political, environmental, regulatory and cultural aspects. More specifically, this research work highlights three key governance challenges of increasing relevance for the bio-economy, including: the important role of public-private networks; city-regions as drivers for the KBBE, especially through climate governance; and consumer-citizens and NGOs as key players in the development of the bio-economy.

Pathways to Shape the Bioeconomy

“…Each region has specific strengths that can mobilize particular innovation potential. Examples are Silicon Valley and also trans-regional arrangements, like the so-called bio-based Delta in South Holland, where the regions of Zeeland, Zuid-Holland, and Brabant jointly foster a bio-based economy [109,115]. In addition to the favorable conditions of cooperation, the entire use of biomass, structures for recycling, and the recovery of waste can be optimized more easily in a regional context.…”

“…It is important to clarify which implementation pathway society wants to promote, whether the effort should be focused on a particular research area or whether different research subjects should be encouraged, and which stakeholders should be involved in the decision-making process and with regard to which issues. According to McCormick, a combination of consumer information that informs on the advantages of bio-based products and possibilities for participation by citizens and civil society organizations in the implementation process should be provided [109]. There are different proposals for achieving successful participation, such as the creation of transparency and equal levels of knowledge, building trust between stakeholders, a willingness to critically reflect opposing positions, and early conflict management (e.g., [34,110]).…”

“…This in turn would reduce the demand for raw materials. Furthermore, the objectives of the bioeconomy can be specified and monitored better at the regional than at the global level [109].…”

Bioeconomy Strategies: Contexts, Visions, Guiding Implementation Principles and Resulting Debates

“…They are likely to become important opinion formers in the implementation of the bioeconomy strategies [59]. The engagement of opinion formers such as NGOs is deemed to be important for a successful bioeconomy policy.…”

Gamybos Logistikos Tobulinimas Bioekonomikos Iššūkių Kontekste / Improvement of Production Logistics in the Context of Bioeconomic Challenges

“…Mokslininkų parengtuose straipsniuose, Europos Komisijos ir tarptautinės ekonominio bendradar biavimo ir plėtros organizacijos OECD leidiniuose mato me, kad vienas pagrindinių elementų bioekonomikoje yra atsinaujinantys biologiniai šaltiniai, kuriuos galima pa versti į produktus, kurie turi didesnę pridėtinę vertę. (En ríquez, 1998;McCormick, 2011 Mokslinėje literatūroje ir leidiniuose akcentuojamas efektyvus gamtos išteklių naudojimas gamybos proce suose. Bioekonomika remiasi inovatyviais sprendimais ir joje turi būti naudojamas uždaras ciklas gamyboje, kuris remiasi atsinaujinančių biologinių šaltinių pakartotinu naudojimu, siekiant užtikrinti ekonominę naudą ateities kartoms (Maciejczak ir Hofreiter, 2013).…”